efficacy and viability of glyphosate alternatives
Case reference FOI2026/01513
Received 14 September 2026
Published 15 September 2026
Request
Response
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)
We use manual weeding and mulching as the main control methods.
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)
Contractors considered the use of vinegar/acetic acid although feedback from other Councils indicated complaints about the smell. Of the other methods the limiting factor has been cost and additional training for staff.
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
N/A
Documents
This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.