...but did you know that the use of peat reaches far further into our supply chain than just supplies from your local garden centre? We need your help to prompt retailers to label peat content clearly so that we can all make informed decisions on what we put in our shopping baskets. Please sign The Wildlife Trusts' open letter to retailers asking them for clarity on the peat content in our purchases - we'd love to get to 5,000 signatures before the end of January.

More than 80% of the UK’s peatlands have already been damaged  due to unnecessary peat use within products such as composts, mushrooms, plug plants, salads and herbs, as well as over-grazing and drainage. 

And you could not be blamed for not knowing - there is no requirement for retailers or producers to label whether a given product has been produced using peat. This means that you as a consumer must put in the spadework to ensure that your purchases are being made with a peat-free conscience.

Our colleagues at the Wildlife Trusts launched their Hidden Peat campaign to increase consumer understanding of peat-based products and help more people understand the pressures UK peatlands face, such as those in Somerset which are being dug up for use in horticulture.  

Thanks to their Peat Inspectors, whose efforts have uncovered some valuable information, the Wildlife Trusts are contacting 56 retailers about improving their labelling on products that potentially contain peat. Peat Inspectors’ feedback has also made it clear that retailers need to share their plans for moving to peat-free alternatives beyond compost and plug plants.

Responding to the fabulous sleuthing, The Wildlife Trusts have put the information collected into an open letter that will be handed in or posted to retailers that have been identified by Peat Inspectors. 

The letter asks about the company’s plans to promote peat-free products and how “peat-free” or “contains peat” labels can be added to fresh produce and plants sold in shops or online. The letter also asks about how the company is supporting farmers transition to using less peat and reducing reliance on peat-containing soils.

The Wildlife Trusts would like to spotlight more retailers who are making these active changes for consumers.

Help us reach 5,000 signatures before the end of January

Read the letter

Sign the letter today!

The open letter will be sent to retailers in the first week of February to celebrate World Wetlands Day.