The 'Peat Issue' and British Landscaping
General Overview

• Peat and peat-based products have been successfully used in British landscaping, since the 1950's.
• In the late 1980's, the potential environmental destruction of extracting both sedge and moss peat was highlighted by a well co-ordinated and funded campaign, the aim of which was to either stop or substantially reduce peat use in both commercial and domestic landscaping and horticulture.
• Quite coincidentally, serious work was underway to look at recycling a wide range of materials, including agricultural, industrial, park and garden and municipal waste.
• Some traditional uses of peat were quite easy to address, as better, more cost effective and environmentally acceptable products became available, including bark based mulches, soil ameliorants and conditioners, together with peat-free tree and shrub planting composts.
• Finding a suitable alternative to peat for growing commercial nursery stock has proved more challenging.
• In the earlier days, many products were rushed onto the market, often without adequate research and development and trials work. They were also far too expensive. The premium price expectations for peat-free products has not and probably will not materialise.

The Situation Today

• A new Landfill Tax came into effect on 1 October 1996. This has substantially put up the cost of 'dumping' green waste and will further encourage by-products to be recycled.
• After 4 years of extensive research and development, Melcourt introduced a peat replacement, Melcourt Sylvafibre^® for use in nursery stock and other ornamentals growing media. Not only does Sylvafibre work and handle like peat, it has been demonstrated to produce as good as or better results than peat, in many crop types.
• Increasing numbers of nurseries are now producing crops in either entirely peat-free or peat-reduced media, incorporating Melcourt Sylvafibre^®.

The Important Role of the Landscape Architect

• Carefully evaluate peat alternatives and other potentialy suitable recycled materials. Do not approve them, just because they are new, or that you have local pressure to use them.
• Talk to and visit commercial nurseries to see the results that they are achieving using peat replacements.
• Speak to Melcourt and get 'up-dated' on the progress being made with these new products and the potential opportunities that they create.
• Carefully select and precisely nominate or specify products to be used on your particular projects.