How do I dispose of Japanese knotweed?
Japanese knotweed is a highly invasive plant species in the UK and must be disposed of at a licensed landfill site.
Professional specialist companies can effectively manage the removal and disposal of Japanese knotweed through containment, isolation, physical removal and chemical control. Preventing new growth and monitoring the site is essential to ensure effective management of this persistent and hardy plant
Japanese knotweed
(Fallopia japonica) is a highly invasive, non-native plant species prevalent in the United Kingdom and can cause significant damage to buildings, structures and infrastructure. In the UK, it is classified as controlled waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and must be disposed of at a licensed landfill site. It is recommended that a professional specialist company be hired with the necessary permits and insurance to remove and dispose of Japanese knotweed.
Before disposing of the plant material, it should be bagged and securely tied to prevent the release of rhizomes or the spreading of the plant during transportation. This is essential as even a tiny piece of rhizome or stem can grow into a new plant, leading to further spread and infestation.
Understanding Japanese knotweed’s biology and growth habits is important for effectively managing and disposing of it. Japanese knotweed is a fast-growing plant that can reach heights of up to 3m in a single growing season and produces up to 20,000 seeds per plant. It is a hardy and persistent plant that can grow through tarmac and concrete, and its roots can extend up to 7m into the soil, making it difficult to eradicate.
The most effective method of managing Japanese knotweed is to prevent it from establishing.
This can be done by removing all plant material, including roots and rhizomes, and ensuring that none is left in the soil. It is also essential to keep the plant under control by removing new growth as soon as it appears and mowing or cutting back the plant before seed production.
If Japanese knotweed has already been established, the best approach is to contain and isolate the infestation. This can be done by excavating a trench around the plant, removing all the roots and rhizomes, and then covering the area with a barrier to prevent new growth. The removed plant material must be disposed of at a licensed landfill site.
In some cases, chemical herbicides may be necessary to control the growth of Japanese knotweed. Herbicides such as glyphosate or imazapyr can be applied directly to the plant or injected into the stems to prevent development. However, when using chemicals, care must be taken, as they can adversely affect the environment and surrounding vegetation. It is recommended that a professional specialist company that is experienced in the safe and effective use of chemicals for Japanese knotweed control be used.
Once the Japanese knotweed has been removed
monitoring the site is essential to ensure no new growth appears. This may require repeated applications of herbicides or physical removal of new shoots.
Japanese knotweed is a highly invasive plant species that can cause significant damage to buildings, structures and infrastructure in the UK. Effective management and disposal of the plant requires an understanding of its biology and growth habits and a multi-disciplinary approach that incorporates containment, isolation, physical removal and, in some cases, chemical control. When disposing of Japanese knotweed, it is essential to engage a professional specialist company with the necessary permits and insurance to handle the removal and disposal of the plant material to prevent further spread and infestation.