New York’s flagship university, University of Buffalo, has adopted Foamstream to tackle invasive plants and unwanted growth, and align its campus maintenance operations with ambitious sustainability goals. The non-toxic foam weed killer has transformed weed control and landscaping across the university’s three campuses, spanning 1,172 acres.
As the second-highest ranked university in the US for climate action, University of Buffalo is striving towards carbon neutrality. The facilities team has long been exploring sustainability projects, like ‘goatscaping’, to align the university’s grounds management practices with its environmental goals.
As part of its mission, the team was seeking an alternative to toxic glyphosate-based herbicides, such as RoundUp, so they could move towards a chemical-free, environmentally-friendly method of weed control that wouldn’t compromise campus biodiversity. Not only does glyphosate damage wildlife and delicate ecosystems, but growing bodies of evidence also link the chemical to severe human health conditions, particularly cancers.
Non-toxic foam weed control in action
Instead of relying on toxic chemicals to damage and kill weeds, Foamstream utilises a combination of near boiling water and biodegradable foam, made from natural plant oils and sugars. The foam acts as an insulating blanket over the plant to retain the heat for the necessary amount of time, allowing the hot water to penetrate the plant’s protective outer layers and sufficiently damage the stem and root tissue.
Stacey Modicamore, assistant director of facilities operations at UB, said: “The method is effective on both visible weeds and underlying seeds, reducing regrowth over time.”
Dispensed via a nozzle, or other lance attachments depending on the desired application, Foamstream sterilises surrounding seeds and spores, reducing future growth and the number of treatments required. Stacey and the team noted an instant visual impact on plants after application, and while tough on weeds, Foamstream is gentle on the environment and safe for use around people, pets, wildlife and waterways.
Cross-department collaboration for a more sustainable future
While the transition to Foamstream was driven initially by Stacey and the facilities team, the project is the result of a successful collaboration of different UB departments. Facilities worked with Environment, Health and Safety, and the UB Sustainability team to vet the use of Foamstream on-campus.
Landscape architect in Campus Planning, Daniel Seiders, then arranged for a licensed Foamstream distributor to visit campus to demonstrate the product in action. The team saw first-hand how Foamstream worked, and learned the best tools and approaches for UB’s specific challenges.
Once Tonga Pham, associate vice president of campus operations, gave final approval, Stacey worked with the procurement team to purchase the Foamstream units.
Reaping the benefits of highly-effective, herbicide-free weed control
The university was equipped and ready to hit the ground running with Foamstream in May, and quickly noticed a marked difference to landscaping and grounds maintenance operations. The team could quickly and easily target invasive species and unwanted growth in pavements, rock pits, plant beds and near sidewalks and curblines, keeping facilities clean and tidy while reducing slip and safety hazards.
Foamstream is completely safe for use around the grounds and protects staff, students and university soils from toxic chemicals. It’s not only proven to be a highly effective glyphosate alternative, but as it can be used in almost any weather, it reduces downtime and delays in maintenance schedules.
Implementing Foamstream has more closely aligned the university’s weed control and outdoor management practices with its sustainability goals and ethical stance and complements future plans for sustainable campus management. With aims to further reduce chemical input and ecological disturbance, create ‘managed meadow areas’ to enhance biodiversity, and switch to electric-powered maintenance machinery, the university’s mission to build a better environment - on and off campus - is in full swing. Read more about the University of Buffalo’s adoption of Foamstream here: UB Facilities uses sudsy, non-toxic formula to control unwanted plant populations
Ready to explore herbicide-free weed control for your grounds? Find out more about Foamstream here, or arrange a demo with our experts to learn how it can transform your outdoor management operations.
