Unlocking the power of biochar

Earlier this month, members of our climate and highways teams visited the Blackdown Hills Eco Hub near Honiton to learn about the environmental benefits of biochar.

The Blackdown Hills Eco Hub is a partnership between the Blackdown Hills Transition Group, Climate Action Taunton and Trimplants whose mission is to build community and ecosystem resilience locally.  

Biochar is a type of charcoal made from organic waste, such as wood and hedge trimmings, that can be used as a soil improver lasting for up to 2,000 years in the soil, or can used in road surfacing materials and as a water filter. Biochar can improve soil health, acting like a sponge to retain water and nutrients, and by increasing the soil's ability to withstand drought and flooding. It can also help reduce soil acidity, which is difficult for most plants to grow in. 

Our team met with Trimplants owners Terry and Carolyn who are passionate about the benefits of biochar. They started researching and experimenting with it in their plant nursery four years ago when they were looking for a sustainable peat-free compost. Since then, they have worked closely with Plymouth University and Low Carbon Devon Partnership to understand its potential. Our team is also keen to understand the potential of using biochar within some of the council’s services. Potential options other than to replace peat use and improve soil conditions is to use biochar as an additive in road surfaces and Sustainable Urban Drainage systems to reduce carbon and remove pollution and particulates from roadsides before getting into verges. 

The benefits of biochar include:

• Soil regeneration - by increasing soil fertility, water retention, plant growth, yield and resilience.  

• Filtering air and water pollution such as phosphates, chemicals and microplastics.  

• Capturing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil, preventing it from being released.  

• Biochar is a simple and effective way to help the environment and improve our planet and soil for future generations. 

Interested in learning more? Check out the Blackdown Hills Eco Hub Facebook page or visit the Trimplants webpage for opportunities to learn, volunteer, join events and workshops, and order biochar products. You can even have a go at making your own biochar, in a mini Tawi biochar stove. 

Watch a roundup of the climate team visit. Just click on the image below.