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B&Q TO GO PEAT-FREE

16 Apr 2001

The long-term future of some of the UK's finest wildlife sites was given a considerable boost today after it was revealed that B&Q, the leading home and garden chain (with 30% market share), is planning to go completely peat-free. The move follows concerns over the environmental impacts of peat extraction. The company's plans will send shock waves through the highly competitive home and gardening retail sector,and should lead to a rush of investment into composting facilities for the production of peat-free alternatives.

The UK's lowland raised peatbogs are amongst the most important and valuable wildlife habitats we have.They are home to many important species of birds, a wealth of unusual plants and thousands of rare insect species. Only a fragment of near-natural bog remains in the UK.

B&Q's plans have been revealed by Friends of the Earth, which has surveyed all the major retailers of growing media. The environment group has compiled a detailed “Peat/Peat-Free Retailers League Table”to advise gardeners where to shop over Eastern Bank Holiday Weekend (traditionally the busiest in the gardening calendar). The ranking of the retailers is likely to provoke great interest from the public who have recently turned strongly against peat. (A poll in the latest edition of BBC Gardeners World Magazine suggest 74% would support a peat ban).

Friends of the Earth graded each retailer on:

• Current policies for the sourcing and use of peat: Does the peat they sell in bags or plant pots come from protected areas both here or abroad, and do they use peat in store landscaping or displays?

• Consumer choice (availability of peat free products): Do they stock a comprehensive range of peat-free products in every store?

• Future plans: Do they recognise that peat is an unsustainable product and do they intend to eliminate peat sales in time?

Not surprisingly, B&Q's plans to go peat-free gained it top place in the table scoring 18 out of a possible 20 points, way above its nearest competitors, Homebase and Focus-Do-It-All both on 12 points. Wyevale Country Gardens and Tesco are languishing at the bottom, in 9th place (7 points) and 10th place (6 points)respectively. But Friends of the Earth is scornful of the handful of retailers that failed to return questionnaires (including Asda and, Nottcuts ). When chased, Asda replied that they had “thrown it in the bin!”.

In contrast, B&Q completed the questionnaire and sent a copy of their detailed peat policy (which was updated in March 2001). The policy acknowledges the unsustainable nature of peat extraction, and the damage it is causing to some of the finest wildlife sites both here in the UK and abroad. The company sets a broad target of eliminating all peat sales over the next ten years. But B&Q have also committed themselves to peat-free dilution strategies for each individual peat product.

At the moment, only 27% of B&Q's growing media and soil conditioner sales are peat-free. But by 2006 they intend this to be 85% at which point there will be a progress review and new targets set for going completely peat free. The strategy applies to the whole range, not just own-label. Nurseries supplying B&Q with plant grown in peat will also have to meet the targets.

The retailer has also committed itself to clear labelling on all products, showing exactly the percentage composition of peat / peat-free. And, they intend to increase their range of entirely peat-free products.

Craig Bennett, Peat Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
“Friends of the Earth and other environmental groups have been consulted by B&Q over the last year about what their new peat policy should say. We told them that it should be a strategy for going peat-free. But, we are delighted with how comprehensive their new policy is.

B&Q are now the clear leader amongst growing media retailers, and they have set a standard for others to follow. The public clearly want it, and there should now be no excuses - if they can do it when they B&Q it, why can't the other retailers go peat-free also?”.

The Friends of the Earth DIY and garden centre peat / peat-free league table:

“Current policies for the sourcing and use of peat”:
scored out of 10 points, for having a comprehensive peat policy in place, for sourcing peat from outside protected areas (here or abroad), for having verification mechanisms in place, for extending this policy for peat used in plants pots, and for not using peat for store landscaping or in-store displays.

“Consumer choice (availability of peat free)”:
scored out of 4 points, for having a comprehensive range of peat-free products in every store, at similar prices to peat.

“Future plans”:
scored out of 6 points, for recognising that peat is an unsustainable product and for having the intention to phase it out. Points also awarded for having a detailed phase out strategy with dilution targets and dates.

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