Weeds
Report a invasive weed or non-native species
Email parks@edinburgh.gov.uk and include photos if you can. Please avoid touching these species as they may be harmful.
Support for self-weeding
Request support for self-weeding or to opt out of spraying email waste@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Our weed control policy
We are changing how we manage weeds across the city. In line with our response to the Climate Emergency 2019 and Nature Emergency 2023, we are taking a phased approach to reduce the use of glyphosate-based herbicides and introduce more sustainable weed control methods.
Parks and open spaces
From April 2024, the Council's Neighbourhood Environment Service ceased using glyphosate in most Council-maintained green spaces, including
- parks and open spaces
- school grounds
- housing areas
- fence lines and path edges
This means no chemical weed treatment is being applied in these areas, unless an area is being treated for an invasive species. All weed removal is now carried out by manual or mechanical methods.
Streets, roads and hard surfaces
We are also reducing glyphosate use on roads, pavements and other hardstanding areas, with the aim of phasing it out.
During 2025, some limited, one-off glyphosate treatments may still be used in difficult-to-access areas, such as
- cobblestone streets
- high-parking areas
- controlled parking zones such as City Centre, New Town, Stockbridge.
These applications are carried out using controlled droplet technology and are followed up with manual scraping and hand removal.
A new citywide mechanical sweeping programme is being introduced to clear soil and detritus, which reduces the conditions that allow weeds to grow.
This work is more labour-intensive and may not be completed in 1 visit.
Non-native species
Non-native plant species are those plants that have been brought into the country by humans. There are many non-native species in Scotland, but only a small number of these are invasive, which means they harm the environment, economy, public health, and our way of life.
Invasive weed control on Council owned land
Download information sheets about how we tackle the following invasive non-native species on Council owned land
- Himalayan Balsam information sheet (PDF)
- Giant Hogweed information sheet (PDF)
- Japanese Knotweed information sheet (PDF)
Glyphosate is still used where necessary to control invasive non-native species.
Weed control and biodiversity
It’s important to remember that weeds are plants, and many support urban biodiversity. Weeds can
- provide food and shelter for insects, birds, and pollinators
- improve soil health and green our cityscape
As part of our wider biodiversity and climate commitments, we’re moving towards a more sustainable and natural approach to green spaces management.
If a group of residents agrees to “self-weed” their street, the Council can exclude that area from chemical treatment.
We can support local initiatives by
- lending basic equipment
- arranging uplift of bagged green waste
- providing advice and coordination.
You can request support for self-weeding or opt out of spraying by emailing waste@edinburgh.gov.uk.