Say No to Peat Compost

Gardening with wildlife, snail on gardening gloves with pot plants behind

Tom Marshall

Bring on the Ban!

For centuries it was believed that peatlands were of no value unless drained or extracted from. Today, we know this is not true – so why are 80% of the UK’s peatlands still degraded? Peat extraction for gardening and growing directly contributes to the decline of our peatlands, with knock-on impacts for the interlinked nature and climate crises.

Campaign update: 2024

Progress on this issue is long overdue. The Wildlife Trusts welcome confirmation that from the end of 2024, hobby gardeners in England and Wales will no longer be able to buy bagged peat compost. Your support has helped to make this happen!

However, we are disappointed that the UK Government has not initiated the legislation to make this ban happen. With a General Election likely in 2024 this means we will have to wait for the next Government for action on this vital topic. This lack of action is at odds with this Government's manifesto commitment to ‘deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth’.

The Wildlife Trusts have been at the forefront of the fight to protect peatlands since the 1990s and are leading on peatland restoration projects across the UK. To date, Wildlife Trusts have restored over 120,000 football pitches worth of peatlands in England alone.

Community peat diggings, North Harris. Scotland. - Peter Cairns/2020VISION

As leaders in peatland restoration, The Wildlife Trusts will still be calling upon the UK Government to: 

End importing peat, which transfers emissions and damage to nature to other countries
End the extraction of peat from peatlands in England
Ban the sales of peat and peat containing products in professional markets – voluntary measures were simply not enough
Restore all bogs damaged by the removal of peat by 2035

There is still work to do and your support is crucial. Here are some actions you can take to show that you love peatlands. 

Sign our peat-free pledge 
Start making your own compost
Ask your local garden centre to stock peat-free compost and plug plants NOW!

Gardener's World

We still stand firm in our belief that peat belongs in bogs not bags, and this is exactly what Mark Blake, Somerset Wildlife Trust Senior Reserves Manager, said on Gardener's World last week when Arit from the program investigated what this ban means for the industry and gardeners alike (2023, episode 7). Catch up now on BBC iPlayer, and hear what Mark had to say.

Tom Marshall

Go peat free at home

Read our top tips

Peter Cairns/2020VISION

Why we need our peatlands

Find out more

Join the gardeners going peat free

Make the pledge

Peatlands are vital wildlife habitats and it’s absolutely crucial that they remain intact to help us tackle climate change. The Government can ensure that these important carbon stores function as nature intended by banning peat sales now.

Craig Bennett
Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trusts