Why Are We Still Spraying Glyphosate?
Despite mounting concerns around glyphosate exposure—especially near schools, playgrounds, and public parks—most councils in New Zealand still rely on it as their go-to weed control method. Thermal systems, like steam or hot foam, are often dismissed as too expensive, too slow, or too unfamiliar.
But those arguments don’t hold up to scrutiny. Not only are steam-based systems already in use overseas, they were once used successfully right here in New Zealand—most notably by North Shore City before the Auckland Super City dissolved its legacy practices.
The truth is: safer, scalable alternatives exist. And they’re working. Let’s take a look.
What Is Steam or Hot Foam Weed Control?
Thermal systems like Foamstream use a combination of boiling water and an insulating plant-based foam to kill weeds at the root. The foam holds heat in place long enough to destroy plant cells, seeds, and spores. Unlike herbicides, there’s no chemical residue. No PPE required. And no re-entry delays.
They work on:
- Weeds on footpaths, kerbs, and parks
- Moss and algae
- Gum and graffiti (in some models)
And they’re safe to use around people, pets, waterways, and food-producing areas—making them ideal for schools and community spaces.
Overseas Councils Are Already Leading the Way
Lewes District Council (UK) trialled several non-chemical methods and found Foamstream to be the most effective. Andy Frost, the environmental contracts officer, noted:
“While it wasn’t quite as effective as glyphosate, the results have been impressive.”
Glastonbury Town Council (UK) banned herbicides entirely and now uses Foamstream in public areas—including around schools and playgrounds.
City of Pickering (Canada) adopted a Foamstream unit in 2018. Parks supervisor Rob Gagen reported:
“The weed kill results we got were better than when using green, class 11 pesticides. New seeds did not tend to germinate after application.”
University of Wisconsin–Stout (USA) deployed a Foamstream unit across its campus. Funded by student green fees, it replaced herbicide use with eco-friendly technology. Grounds supervisor Mike Smith called it:
“Good for the environment, good for the crew, and good for the campus.”
Gloucester City Council (UK) is now preparing to phase out glyphosate entirely. Their Urban Greening Strategy aims to tackle climate change and insect decline by integrating more green infrastructure—like trees, green roofs, and rain gardens—while phasing out chemical spraying in the city centre.
“By reducing [glyphosate] use alongside our plans to increase the amount of green space, we will do our bit to reduce the alarming decline in insect populations.” said Councillor Sebastian Field.
These aren’t fringe experiments. They’re practical, proven examples of councils and schools rethinking chemical dependency—and getting results.
What About the Cost?
One of the most common pushbacks is cost. But the numbers tell a different story.
Auckland Council once claimed thermal weed control would cost upwards of $3,200 per kilometre. But a PricewaterhouseCoopers audit in 2015 showed that steam and hot water systems actually cost closer to $1,186/km—a figure supported by independent reviews and former council contractors.
That’s comparable to, and sometimes less than, botanical herbicides—and without the toxic residues or health controversies.
Thermal methods also reduce the number of re-treatments needed thanks to seed sterilisation. That means fewer passes, lower long-term costs, and a cleaner environment.
Why This Matters for Schools
If there’s one place we shouldn’t be spraying potential endocrine disruptors or carcinogens, it’s school grounds.
Thermal weed control offers a rare trifecta:
- Visible: You see it working in real time—steam and all.
- Safe: No chemical runoff, no residue, no hazard signage.
- Efficient: Suitable for regular maintenance with minimal disruption.
Imagine if every school had access to a shared steam system, or local councils made these zones glyphosate-free as a priority. That would be a meaningful shift.
So Why Isn’t This Happening in New Zealand?
It did happen. North Shore City used hot water and steam methods for over two decades before amalgamation into Auckland Council. Since then, those systems have been largely abandoned—not because they failed, but because of bureaucratic standardisation and cost misrepresentation.
Meanwhile, cities like Gloucester and Dorset in the UK are investing in precisely what Auckland left behind.
If we’re serious about reducing chemical exposure, we need to stop pretending there’s no alternative.
A Thought for Election Season
As local elections approach, it’s worth asking candidates:
- Would you support funding or trialling steam or foam systems in your ward?
- Should schools and childcare centres be glyphosate-free zones?
- What has your council done to reduce herbicide use in the last three years?
Because public health decisions are being made every time a roadside gets sprayed—and those decisions are local.
What This Tells Us
Steam doesn’t need a warning sign. Glyphosate does.
And when the safest option gets abandoned while the most toxic one stays, we should be asking who’s really making the decisions—and why.
Ready to push for a safer weed control option where you live?
Thermal systems work—but they only get used when councils are willing to invest in better choices. If you’re ready to see steam and foam systems trialled in your region, start by contacting your local representatives.
We’ve made it easy: Find and contact your regional council here
Resources & References
Because decisions like these shouldn’t be made in a vacuum.
We’ve been told that safer alternatives are unrealistic. That glyphosate is the only practical option. That cost makes everything else impossible. But when you follow the paper trail—when you actually read the audits, the case studies, and the council minutes—a very different story emerges. Below are some of the sources that helped shape this article. We encourage you to explore them for yourself.
Weedingtech – Foamstream Technology
Supplier of non-chemical steam-and-foam weed control systems used in schools, councils, and parks worldwide.
https://weedingtech.com
PricewaterhouseCoopers (2015). Review of weed control costs for hard edges in parks
Independent audit commissioned by Auckland Council confirming hot water/steam cost just $1,186/km—undercutting official claims.
Download PDF
Weed Management Advisory Group (2019). Separating Fact from Fiction
Independent review supporting thermal methods as safe, effective, and cost-aligned alternatives to chemical spraying in urban areas.
Read the article here
BBC – Gloucester Council Urban Greening Plan (2024)
News coverage of Gloucester’s strategy to phase out glyphosate in favour of climate-resilient weed management and public health protection.
BBC News
BBC – Dorset Council Trials Glyphosate Alternatives (2025)
Dorset Council is actively trialling steam, hot foam, and other non-chemical options in response to community concern.
Bournemouth Echo
University of Wisconsin–Stout (USA) – Campus Foamstream System
University adopted steam system funded by student sustainability fees; used for grounds maintenance and herbicide reduction.
UW-Stout Facilities
We don’t expect blind trust. We expect better questions.
The science, the economics, and the global case studies are all there.
What we do with that information? That part is still up to us.
Image Source & Attribution
A big thank you to the creators at Unsplash for making their images freely available for projects like ours. Red Heron created the image featured on this page. You can explore more of their work here: https://unsplash.com/@redheron.
