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Update (September 5, 2019): The restriction is finalized! Thank you for your interest in signing the card, but we have closed signatures. All signatures and comments have been sent in a card to Mayor Jenny Durkan.

Seattle Takes Bold Steps to Restrict the Use of Glyphosate

NCAP is excited to share some inspiring news! The City of Seattle is reconsidering its classification of the chemical glyphosate, commonly found in Roundup, as a highly restricted product. It may soon only be used on City property under strict control and as a last resort.

We thank Seattle for taking bold steps to strengthen their commitment to public, environmental and employee health. As technical advisors of the City of Seattle’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Interdepartmental Team (IDT), NCAP is providing technical assistance during the decision process and is thrilled with the result. The administration will direct an update of the Integrated Pest Management program to review all pesticide products. They will use the reduced risk model to protect people and the environment.

Over the past decade, NCAP has partnered with cities on a number of projects, including guides for parks departments for non-herbicidal landscaping techniques and an online web portal for professionals. Staff joined Seattle's IPM IDT in 2017 in support of the process to update the City’s IPM program, which includes their list of approved pesticides for landscape use. Seattle is responding to new studies and concerns from the community related to glyphosate.

A Leader in Sustainability

Seattle has been a leader in sustainability issues and reducing pesticides. In 2015 after public organizing, they passed a ban on neonicotinoid pesticides on city property and have spent decades on meaningful pesticide reduction plans. Using IPM at Seattle Parks and Recreation has resulted in an estimated 80% drop in labor hours associated with pesticide applications since the 1980s and dramatically reduced pesticide use [1].

With a population of approximately 730,000, Seattle is joining other progressive cities around the country working to ensure their use of pesticides is kept to a minimum. Partnering with communities such as San Francisco and Portland, Seattle will continue to be part of a larger movement to support a healthy environment that is safe for wildlife, employees, and the public.

Spreading the Impact

Our hope is that other cities take the same steps to reduce exposure as well as schools, daycares and other pesticide users. The Seattle School District just announced a “halt” on glyphosate use. A statement from September announced on their website: “It has come to our attention that some district ground crews have used Roundup which contains glyphosate a potential carcinogenic. We have halted our use of this product. We will review grounds maintenance practices to ensure we follow policy and procedure.” [2] We will continue to monitor glyphosate use at Seattle public schools.

Further, we will continue to encourage stewardship among homeowners and renters. According to a 2014 report by Washington’s Department of Agriculture, more than half of surveyed residents in King County apply pesticides to their property, and glyphosate was the most common herbicide used [3]. We hope Seattle's action and awareness leads to better stewardship by all residents and that community members seek out alternatives to pesticides, especially where children live, learn and play.

[1] https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/policies-and-plans/pesticide-reduction
[2] 
https://www.seattleschools.org/district/calendars/news/what_s_new/grounds_maintenance_pesticide_practices
[3] 
Washington Department of Agriculture Study, 2014. https://agr.wa.gov/FP/Pubs/docs/103-409PSReportfinal2014.pdf

Sign our virtual card:

Thank You, Seattle, for showing bold leadership in restricting glyphosate use and your work to prioritize people over pesticides.

215 signatures

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Showing 193 reactions

  • Mary and Horvitz
    signed 2019-09-11 17:08:10 -0700
    Mary and Eric Horvitz
  • Gordon Clark
    signed 2019-09-09 16:26:33 -0700
    !!!
  • Sarah Etzel
    signed 2019-09-05 10:54:33 -0700
    This is a monumental step toward providing less toxic alternatives, and toward ensuring better health for everyone. Thank you Mayor, and City of Seattle for setting the precedent, which all cities should follow.
  • Ashley Chesser
    published this page in TAKE ACTION 2019-09-03 15:09:25 -0700
  • Martin Dagoberto
    signed 2019-09-03 14:34:59 -0700
    Thank you for helping to lead the way! May we move ever closer toward the tipping point for an organic future!
  • Rayna Holtz
    signed 2019-09-03 14:31:46 -0700
  • Ruth Kaiser
    signed 2019-09-01 06:26:24 -0700
    Ruth Kaiser
  • Sandra Metcalf-Moore
    signed 2019-08-31 17:18:52 -0700
    Bravo, Seattle, in being a leader for a cleaner , healthier environment!!
    Sandra Metcalf-Moore
  • Lori Beamer
    signed 2019-08-30 17:15:30 -0700
    Lori Beamer
  • Don Stephens
    signed 2019-08-30 00:01:50 -0700
    Thank you on behalf of my three Grandchildren.
  • Judy Mieger
    signed 2019-08-29 16:22:33 -0700
    THANK YOU for recognizing the importance of limiting pesticides - please keep moving in the direction of an organic City.
  • Shawn Newswanger
    signed 2019-08-29 13:43:01 -0700
  • Xander and Loki Svetich
    signed 2019-08-29 13:30:23 -0700
    This is a significant step in restricting use of a dangerous chemical that is responsible for uncounted deaths of uncounted species of organism. It is abhorrent that companies continue to profit off the destruction of our planet.
  • Lori Weber
    signed 2019-08-29 13:10:24 -0700
    Lori Weber
  • Carrie Steinbach
    signed 2019-08-29 12:28:16 -0700
    Thank you so much for taking this important step! Hopefully, other cities will soon follow your lead.
  • Echo Seaman
    signed 2019-08-29 11:40:41 -0700
    Thank you Jenny Durken i will remember this for a lifetime!
  • Ray Kinney
    signed 2019-08-29 08:46:57 -0700
    About time, long passed time, to question the industry version of ‘science’ in the paradigm of pesticide practices.
  • Talinna Appling
    signed 2019-08-29 07:11:49 -0700
  • Lee Finney
    signed 2019-08-29 05:58:24 -0700
  • Suzanna Hunter
    signed 2019-08-29 04:53:01 -0700
    This is wonderful I have been sensitive to this chemical since the 1980’s. It has killed many people. Thank you Seattle!
  • Jenny Holmes
    signed 2019-08-28 22:26:30 -0700
    May many cities follow your lead!
  • Connie Derry
    signed 2019-08-28 21:21:04 -0700
    Thanks for doing the right thing, now please convince others to stop using Roundup also! Good Job, keep it up !
  • christopher feise
    signed 2019-08-28 20:48:32 -0700
  • Jacqueline Aitken
    signed 2019-08-28 20:44:23 -0700
    My family is so grateful. I’m hoping that my children will have less exposure to pesticides than my generation.
  • Andy Harris
    signed 2019-08-28 20:34:00 -0700
  • Kayla Gibson
    signed 2019-08-28 20:04:01 -0700
  • Pamela Vasquez
    signed 2019-08-28 20:01:39 -0700
    So happy to hear that this dangerous toxin is being recognized for what it is. I hope so-called

    “Green” Oregon follows Seattle’s example soon!
  • Rick Ulrich
    signed 2019-08-28 19:55:39 -0700
    Could there be incentives (Green Butterfly Award) for business landscaping which is pesticide free.
  • Calli Madrone
    signed 2019-08-28 19:31:34 -0700
    You’re awesome Seattle. It puts Portlandia to shame(ha, ha) They need to catch up.
  • Trevor Whitbread
    signed 2019-08-28 19:29:49 -0700