ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½

UB Facilities staff have been painting campus green spaces with biodegradable foam in an effort to control unwanted plant populations. Not only does the giant paintbrush-like nozzle allow them to unleash the sudsy component, but the suds are actually a nontoxic weed killer, called FoamStream.

As part of the university’s ambitious carbon-neutrality goal, UB Facilities is pursuing carbon-neutral, chemical-free, zero-waste and biodiversity-friendly grounds management. FoamStream is the newest tool for meeting these goals because it uses a combination of hot water and biodegradable foam to kill unwanted vegetation.

The project was developed as an alternative to chemical herbicides, particularly glyphosate — commercially known as RoundUp — and is safe for use in public spaces such as parks, playgrounds and urban areas, keeping staff, students and the university’s soils safe from harmful chemicals.

FoamStream works by applying near-boiling sudsy water directly to the unwanted plant. The biodegradable foam — made from natural plant oils and sugars — acts as an insulating blanket, retaining the heat for a longer period of time. The sustained heat penetrates the plant’s protective outer layers and reaches the root, causing cellular damage that leads to the plant's death.

“The method is effective on both visible weeds and underlying seeds, reducing regrowth over time,” say Stacey Modicamore, assistant director of facilities operations.

Modicamore explains that FoamStream is considered an effective alternative to traditional herbicides because it is safe for people, pets, wildlife and waterways while damaging the stem and root tissue, as well as seeds and small seedlings to limit future growth. It can be used in almost any weather condition, reducing delays in maintenance schedules, and has an instant visual impact with treated plants wilting and dying quickly after application.

Most importantly, Modicamore says, it aligns with UB Facilities’ sustainable land management practices.

She vetted the use of FoamStream through Environment, Health and Safety and UB Sustainability. In addition, Daniel Seiders, a landscape architect in Campus Planning, arranged for two on-site demonstrations of the product at the university by a licensed distributor. Once Tonga Pham, associate vice president of campus operations, gave final approval, Modicamore worked with procurement to purchase the units after securing funding approval.

Derek Nichols, associate director, UB Sustainability, says Facilities has been leaning into sustainability projects for years and is responsible for implementing innovative ideas like bringing goats to the North Campus to eat invasive plants. “They  (Facilities) get full credit for this phenomenal work,” Nichols notes.

With the new tool cleared for use in May, Facilities was ready to begin targeting common pavement weeds and unwanted grasses inside of plant beds and rock pit areas in parking lots, as well as weeds that come up through sidewalks and curblines to help protect campus flatwork infrastructure.

Facilities continues to work towards sustainable campus management. Future plans include simplifying landscape maintenance and reducing chemical inputs, stormwater runoff and ecological disturbance — including converting leaf blowers, trimmers and weed whackers to electric, and studying more ways to safely remove invasive plant species across campus.

Modicamore says Facilities is also working to create more “managed meadow” areas across campus to reduce mowing and allow more areas for pollinators and native plants to thrive.

“UB Sustainability is always excited to partner with Facilities for future projects,” Nichols says. “We have many ongoing projects we’re working on and we are constantly striving to build a better environment here on campus. We’re excited to increase the number of native plants on our grounds, as well as compost our yard waste in the future.”