Replacement of peat in artificial soils and sediments

Last Tuesday, the Ecotox Centre hosted the kick-off meeting for the OECD project RePEAT, which seeks alternatives to peat as a source of organic matter in artificial soils and sediments. Experts from seven different OECD countries attended the event and we had a fruitful exchange at the start of this exciting project. Peatlands are very important for biodiversity and contain up to 25% of the world's carbon, so draining them releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide. For these reasons, the extraction and use of peat is increasingly restricted in OECD countries.

In Switzerland, peatlands have been protected since 1987 and peat may no longer be extracted. Nevertheless, Switzerland imports an estimated 500,000 m³ of peat per year. In order to reduce the environmental impact abroad, the Federal Council adopted the peat exit plan in 2012. Because peat is currently used in artificial soils and sediments as a source of organic material, an alternative must be found so that chemicals can continue to be tested in accordance with OECD guidelines.

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Replacement of peat in artificial soils and sediments

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