Opt out of chemical weed spraying on your street
We’re always looking for ways to reduce our use of chemicals to control weed growth.
Residents can now opt their street out of being sprayed with glyphosate, a herbicide we use to control weeds.
How it works
This new voluntary scheme lets streets opt out entirely from our glyphosate spraying programme.
Residents must support the decision, and be willing to help remove problematic weeds by hand.
Removing weeds
If a street opts out, residents will be encouraged to remove weeds that may be:
- A slip or trip hazard
- An obstruction
- Damaging the highway surface with their roots
- Obstructing drainage in the gutter and channel
Any weeds removed by residents can be disposed of with their other household rubbish.
Street sweeping
Mechanical sweeping of the gutters and channels will continue as part of the scheduled street cleaning programme. Operatives will continue to remove weeds over 10cm tall from pavements.
You can find out more about pavement plants.
How to opt out
Before signing up, please speak to other residents to see if they’d like to opt out too. You can do this in person, and many streets now have email, Facebook, or WhatsApp groups that could be used.
If others seem supportive, please email weedingtrialswbc@wandsworth.gov.uk to let us know and include your postal address.
We’ll then provide you with letters to deliver to other households in your street. These will explain the scheme and invite them to contact us with any questions or concerns.
If there is general support and a lack of opposition, we’ll then confirm your street is now included in the scheme and herbicide will no longer be used to control weed growth in it.