Is bark mulch eco-friendly

Bark mulch wears a green badge largely because it begins life as waste. When sawmills strip logs, mountains of outer bark remain; turning those shavings into mulch repurposes a by-product that might otherwise be burnt. Spread across beds, the material suppresses weeds, lessening reliance on herbicides, while its sponge-like nature curbs summer watering, trimming hose use and the energy behind pumped supplies. As it breaks down, fungi and worms fold the carbon back into the soil, raising organic matter and trapping moisture that would have run off into drains.

The eco-ledger is not entirely spotless. Heavy lorry journeys from mill to garden centre carry a carbon cost, particularly if the mulch travels far. Choosing local stock helps; AHS LTD, for instance, sources from certified British woodlands where felling cycles match growth, keeping emissions and biodiversity impact modest. Coloured mulches sometimes rely on synthetic dyes; plain bark avoids that extra chemistry. Bagged products introduce plastic, yet many outlets now offer loose bulk deliveries or returnable sacks. Dispose of packaging thoughtfully, and the balance swings further towards green. In short, bark mulch, responsibly sourced and applied, functions as an ally in low-impact gardening rather than an environmental burden, for our shared planet.