Growers across Europe are trying to understand what the shift away from peat means for the future of growing media. Some also ask whether mineral wool, including rock wool, is being restricted. There is a lot of mixed information online, so this updated version focuses only on verifiable facts from primary sources. The goal is to give growers a reliable overview of what is changing and what remains stable.
Why Peat Use Is Under Pressure
Peat has long been widely used in horticultural substrates due to its lightness, consistency, and ability to hold water well. The challenge is the climate cost. When peatlands are drained and harvested, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide.
According to EU greenhouse gas reporting, emissions from organic soils, including drained peatlands, are significant, and peatland management is a key concern for EU climate policy.[1]
Because of this, peat-reduction policies are gaining traction in several European countries. There is no EU-wide ban on peat. What exists is a mix of national targets, research projects, and voluntary strategies.
Current national goals set to reduce horticultural peat use or extraction in European countries[2]
|
Country |
Last goals set on horticultural peat |
Form / Authority |
Documentation |
|
Germany |
Hobby sector: 100% reduction by 2026; professional sector: strong reduction by 2030. The new government aims to develop an exit plan on peat use and extraction. |
German Ministry of Agriculture (in discussion with stakeholders) |
Climate Action Plan 2050 (BMUB 2016), Former coalition agreement between governing Parties (CDU et al. 2018), Climate Action Programme 2030 (BMU 2019), BMEL 2020, IVG 2020, ZVG et al. 2020, New coalition agreement between governing Parties (SPD et al. 2021) |
|
Hobby sector: 50% peat rate by 2025 and 30% by 2030; professional sector: 80% peat rate by 2025 and 70% by 2030. |
Self-commitment of the industry groups IVG, ZVG, BdB, BHB and VDG |
||
|
Ireland |
Hobby sector: 100% peat use reduction by 2025; all sectors: by 2030, maximum 2035. |
Proposal from the Working group report to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
Government of Ireland 2019, Government of Ireland 2020, GMI 2021, Prasad 2021, Government of Ireland 2022 |
|
United Kingdom |
Hobby sector: 100% peat use reduction by 2024 (\end of this parliament\"); all sectors: 100% peat reduction by 2030" |
UK Government |
Mineral Planning Guidance 13 (HM Government 1995), UK BAP (UK Biodiversity Group 1999), Natural White Paper (HM Government 2011), 25 Year Environment Plan (HM Government 2018), England Peat Action Plan (UK Government 2021) |
|
Switzerland |
Hobby sector: 5% peat rate by 2020; professional sector: 50% peat rate by 2025 and 5% by 2030 |
Agreement between the Ministry of Environment and the stakeholders |
Torfausstiegskonzept (Federal Council of Switzerland 2012), BAFU 2021 |
|
Norway |
Hobby sector: 100% peat reduction by 2025; professional sector: 100% peat reduction by 2030. |
Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment |
Norway’s Climate Strategy (Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment 2017), Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment 2018, Norwegian Environment Agency 2018, Norwegian Environment Agency 2020, Norwaste 2020, Pedersen & Løes 2022 |
|
Netherlands |
Request from the House of Representatives to investigate the possibilities to phase out peat (House of Representatives 2021) |
Country-Level Developments
Germany
Germany has one of the most defined strategies. According to the Thünen Institute, the country plans to phase out peat in amateur gardening substrates by 2026.[2] This does not eliminate peat in all horticultural contexts, but it strongly encourages reduced use and supports the development of alternatives such as wood fiber, bark, and compost.
Cross-Border Research: Netherlands and Germany
A cross-border Interreg project is designing peat-free substrate blends using digestate, plant fibers, and other renewable materials. The project explicitly states that peat use is a climate concern, and aims to support growers transitioning to lower-carbon media without compromising substrate performance.[3]
EU Policy Context
Peat extraction is recognized under the EU LULUCF Regulation (Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry), requiring member states to account for emissions from land-use change, including peatlands.[4] This does not force a total ban, but it does increase regulatory pressure on national governments to reduce related carbon emissions.
Horizon Europe Innovation: The PEATLESS Project
The PEATLESS project is testing low-peat and completely peat-free substrate blends across several crop types, funded by Horizon Europe. The goal is to develop commercially viable media that can reduce peat dependence in horticulture.[5]
These combined efforts show that peat reduction is underway, but it is being handled thoughtfully and incrementally, not through an abrupt prohibition.
What Is Really Happening With Rock Wool (Mineral Wool)
Contrary to some claims, rock wool (also known as stone wool) is not being banned across Europe. Instead, what is evolving is how the material is disposed of, with a major shift toward recycling.
Rockcycle® Collection & Recycling
ROCKWOOL’s Rockcycle® program collects used stone wool from construction, renovation, and demolition sites, then recycles it back into new products. As of now, the program operates in 24 countries, and ROCKWOOL plans to expand it to 30 by 2030.[6]
Rockwool remains common in hydroponics, but recycling challenges persist.
Landfill Restrictions
Some European nations are pushing to limit the landfilling of recyclable mineral wool. These changes aim to improve waste-management practices rather than restrict their use in horticulture.[6]
Recycling Partnerships
In Germany, ROCKWOOL partners with logistics firm Von Guttenberg to collect clean stone-wool offcuts from construction sites for recycling.[7]
Recycled Content in Production
According to its latest sustainability report, ROCKWOOL is including recycled or reclaimed stone wool in some production lines, depending on the plant and available feedstock.[8]
Recycling in Denmark
RGS Nordic, a prominent Danish waste-management company, collaborates with ROCKWOOL to collect, sort, and reprocess stone wool for reuse in manufacturing.[9]
For growers using rock wool, these developments mean that the material remains available. The changes are mostly on the waste side, not on the cultivation side.
Rockwool recycling requires specialized systems that many farms still lack.
What This Means for Growers
Peat Reduction Is Real, But Not Immediate
Peat-free or peat-reduced media are trending, but this is not a wholesale ban. Many initiatives focus on specific markets or regions, supported by research and policy.
Rock wool Is Still Viable
The substrate remains on the market. However, recycling infrastructure and take-back programs are increasingly relevant.
Think About the Full Media Lifecycle
When choosing a substrate, growers should consider not just cost, but also disposal, recyclability, and future regulatory shifts. Materials with circular credentials or lower emissions may become more attractive.
Monitor Local Policies
Regulatory approaches vary widely by country. Growers are wise to stay informed about national or regional policies, especially those related to waste management and substrate regulation.
References:
-
EU greenhouse gas emissions from drained organic soils/peatlands — LULUCF data.
https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-9219-2022-INIT/en/pdf
-
Thünen Institute – peat-phase-out strategy for gardening substrates.
https://literatur.thuenen.de/digbib_extern/dn064753.pdf
-
Interreg Peat-Free Substrates Project (North-West Europe).
https://deutschland-nederland.eu/en/projects/peat-free-substrates/
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EU LULUCF Regulation (EU 2018/841) — land use and emissions accounting.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32018R0841
-
Horizon Europe PEATLESS Project — low-peat substrate innovation.
-
ROCKWOOL Rockcycle® Program — collection and recycling of stone wool.
https://www.rockwool.com/group/about-us/sustainability/environment/rockcycle/
-
Von Guttenberg / ROCKWOOL partnership for stone wool recycling.
https://www.vonguttenberg.de/en/rockcycle/
-
ROCKWOOL Sustainability Report — recycled content information.
-
RGS Nordic – collaboration on stone wool recycling in Denmark.