Why are councils moving towards herbicide-free weeding?
In 2025, a landmark study from the Ramazzini Institute confirmed that glyphosate, the herbicide used in most weed killers, can cause rare cancers and disrupt hormones at levels the EU previously deemed safe. However, a recent PAN UK survey found that over half of UK councils still use glyphosate and other chemical pesticides in public spaces, despite 65% of the public being against it.
Councils across the UK used 354 tonnes of pesticides in 2024, which is more than four times the government’s official estimate. If successful, the Plant Protection Products Bill will ban pesticides in public spaces by 2028. And, proactive councils are already making changes, with 45% taking steps to reduce pesticide and herbicide use.
How does Foamstream combat the issues councils face?
For many councils, transitioning from glyphosate to herbicide-free weed control may seem challenging. Structural barriers, existing contracts and budget limitations can make the process seem more complicated than it is. Here's how Foamstream helps councils overcome common blockers:
Training & compliance requirements
The challenge: Traditional glyphosate systems require PA1 and PA6 certifications, training, PPE protocols and ongoing compliance. This creates delays, admin burdens, and additional costs every year.
How Foamstream solves it: Our product and machines are user-friendly and safe in all public areas. It requires very little training and does not need PPE or PA1 and PA6 permits.
Contract limitations
The challenge: Many existing local authority contracts are written with chemical-only frameworks, despite the demand for herbicide-free solutions
How Foamstream solves it: We can help you re-write these existing contracts with our straightforward process.
Budget challenges
The challenge: Some finance teams may be unaware of the long-term return on investment for safer methods.
How Foamstream solves it: Over a five-year period, Foamstream’s success is comparable to herbicide products thanks to fewer annual treatments, lower labour costs and our flexible payment options.
More than 165 councils in the UK are taking action to eliminate glyphosate, and Foamstream is helping them do it safely and effectively. We’ve already helped many councils to make the switch, including Manchester City Council, East Devon District Council and Tyne and Wear County Council.
Are you ready to join the 100+ forward-thinking cities already phasing out the use of pesticides in public spaces?
What are the hidden costs of using glyphosate?
Staff exposure
Being exposed to non-organic weed killers containing glyphosate, can be very dangerous. There are many potential health risks including skin and eye irritation, headaches, infertility and potential long-term effects like cancer. Children are especially vulnerable which is one reason many councils have chosen Foamstream to avoid this risk and make treating public spaces safer for everyone.
In terms of business operation, if staff are affected, they may need time off work to recover. In some cases, they may consider taking legal action if they feel their safety wasn’t properly protected. Additionally, with these chemical methods, areas often need to be closed off to protect staff and the public while the weed control takes place. Choosing Foamstream eliminates this problem as there is no downtime, and it’s perfectly safe.
Risk of litigation
If a member of staff or the public decides to take the council to court over the use of dangerous chemical weed control, it can have huge effects on their finances and reputation. If proven to be guilty, prosecution can result in large legal fees, potential settlements and costs associated with correcting any damage caused.
Dewayne Johnson, a groundskeeper, was awarded $289m in damages after his employer, Monsanto (now Bayer), created a weedkiller that caused his cancer and failed to warn him of the associated health risks.
Fines and prosecution
Something else to consider is the improper use of herbicides. They are regulated by The Health and Safety Executive and The Environment Agency who authorise products, set safety standards, and oversee their use.
If training is not sufficient or staff use them incorrectly, glyphosate-based methods can cause devastating effects on people, animals and the environment. Managing inspections, fines and legal action can be costly and time-consuming. When opting for Foamstream, these potential issues don’t need to be considered.
Reputational damage
Public awareness of herbicide use can harm an organisation’s reputation, especially for councils or companies responsible for public spaces. It can reduce trust and support from locals as it may suggest a lack of respect for the community’s health and wellbeing as well as the wildlife in the area.
Penryn Town Council faced criticism after using glyphosate to treat weeds. 80 local residents complained and requested a delay in the council’s vote to choose a contractor. Councillor Mael Garrec said that using the herbicide on weeds which poses a risk to bees, ‘is like using a sledgehammer to swat a fly’. As a result, the decision to appoint a contractor was moved to allow time to investigate other weed management methods.
How does Foamstream deliver better value than herbicides?
- An all-weather solution: Foamstream can be used year-round in rain or shine so there’s no delay in getting the job done. Unlike chemical treatments that can be washed away by rain, our patented low-pressure process combines hot water with a biodegradable foam made from natural plant oils and sugars, and isn’t affected by the weather.
- Flexible financing: Although Foamstream requires an initial upfront investment, our flexible finance options aim to make our machines affordable to every kind of business. With options to purchase, rent or finance, you can choose a model to suit your needs.
- Fewer applications: Foamstream prevents weed regrowth for up to 12 months, significantly reducing the number of treatments required compared with traditional methods.
- Lower labour costs: Hackney Council estimated that hand-weeding the borough would cost £500,000 annually. Our process, which requires a lot less time and manpower, is also more affordable.
By reducing labour costs and application, lowering product usage and removing training expenses, Foamstream delivers a more cost-effective solution than glyphosate-based systems and other herbicide-free alternatives on the market.
What does a transition to Foamstream look like?
1. Assess your current programme
Identify areas where you would like to reduce or stop spraying glyphosate, such as parks, playgrounds, sports facilities, pathways and other public spaces.
2. Book a demo
Arrange an on-site demo to see Foamstream in action on your specific site or issue. Our experts will walk you through the process, answer your questions, and provide tailored advice based on your location and needs. We’re happy to do a side-by-side test of Foamstream vs glyphosate or any other alternative.
3. Decide how to proceed
You can rent, buy, or access Foamstream through an approved contractor. Your Foamstream representative will be in touch with a quote, information about our purchase and finance options, and other supporting information.
4. Train your team
Foamstream is easy to operate and doesn’t require any formal certifications to use. Our team can provide on-site training for council staff to ensure safe and effective use.
5. Scale across your council
Once the pilot demonstrates reduced regrowth and efficiency gains, expand Foamstream use across all relevant sites.
6. Monitor results and optimise
Track effectiveness, adjust schedules and continue to benefit from our ongoing support to maintain herbicide-free spaces consistently.
If you have any questions or would like to book a no-commitment demo, please get in touch: https://www.weedingtech.com/contact/
