Response 4105194

Response to request for information

Reference

4105194

Response date

7 October 2026

Request

I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000/Environmental Information Regulations about the use of NON-glyphosate weed control products and methods, their efficacy and viability for use in local authority settings. The queries are as follows: 

1. Do you or your contractors currently use any of the following Non-glyphosate-based weed control measures?
   • Manual Weeding.
   • Mechanical weeding.
   • Mulching.
   • Cultural control.
   • Vinegar/ acetic acid.
   • Hot foam.
   • Non-glyphosate chemical products (please name).
   • Pelargonic acid.
   • Hot lances/ weed guns (using flame).
   • Weed barriers/ membranes.
   • Hot water.
   • Electricity.
   • Steam.
   • Letting weeds grow.
   • Other (please name).
2. For the same list, please identify which, if any, products you or your contractors have considered or trialled, but REJECTED giving the reasons why in each case.
   • Manual Weeding.
   • Mechanical weeding.
   • Mulching.
   • Cultural control.
   • Vinegar/ acetic acid.
   • Hot foam.
   • Non-glyphosate chemical products (please name).
   • Pelargonic acid.
   • Hot lances/ weed guns (using flame).
   • Weed barriers/ membranes.
   • Hot water.
   • Electricity.
   • Steam.
   • Letting weeds grow.
   • Other (please name).   

If so, please outline, the nature of the infringement of each incident and whether it led to of the following:

• Improvement Notice.
• Fee for Intervention.
• Prosecution

I would prefer to receive this information electronically, preferably as a data set in Excel and not as a PDF.

Response

Rushcliffe Borough Council only use the following methods:

• Manual Weeding. 
• Mechanical Weeding. 
• Mulching. 

We have occasionally used membrane, but in combination with mulch. This though is restricted in terms of sizes and locations, using this is not always possible. It’s not therefore a method we use frequently.