The use of chemicals in all parks, gardens and play areas owned by Folkestone & Hythe District Council has been drastically reduced.
Figures show that for the period 2015 to 2021, pesticide and herbicide use fell from a peak of 75 litres to just 14.5 litres in 2021 - an 80% drop.
The council's grounds maintenance department has kept the use of pesticides and herbicides to a minimum for several years and following a motion agreed by full council in 2019, efforts have been made to find effective alternative methods.
There are still a limited number of situations where chemicals will still be needed, such as to treat invasive weeds like Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed. Officers will continue to check for new technology and best practice to further reduce the use of pesticide & herbicides.
No pesticide is used on football pitches or in the council's play areas.
A budget of £35k had been put aside for further trials of alternatives to chemical weedkiller. As this is no longer required for this purpose, cabinet members this week agreed to invest £35k in electric machinery that will reduce the carbon footprint of the council's grounds team.
Cabinet also agreed to write to the Secretary of Stage for the Environment, George Eustice, outlining the council's opposition to the use of glyphosate-based pesticides, drawing on the experience of council trials of potential alternatives.
Cllr Lesley Whybrow, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "I am delighted that there has been such a reduction in the use of chemicals, and officers will continue to monitor alternative options as they are developed. The council will also further invest and explore further ways to reduce the grounds maintenance team's carbon footprint."
Date published: 28 April 2022