OUR Environment and Sustainability Statement

Since our conception, we have been making conscious decisions to inspire positive impacts on the environment.

As a business, we aim to make informed and ethical choices to provide our customers with products and plants from like-minded partners and suppliers, who share in the same vision.

The journey towards becoming a sustainable and carbon-neutral business is dynamic and extensive however, we are fully committed towards our goals and understand that it is an ongoing process. We are by no means perfect, and we have a long way to go but we are determined to positively contribute to a sustainable environment.

As of now, we have accomplished some short-term goals in various departments in our business, and we aim to continue in the months and years ahead.

Waste Management and Recycling

What we have achieved so far:

We recycle and bale our cardboard; this is taken by specialist companies to reuse and make into new products.
Our general waste is sorted and separated for recyclable material and any residual non-recyclable material is used to produce electricity for the National Grid.
Our wood, paper, plastic, glass and food waste, is recycled.
We offer recyclable paper bags to our customers at the till, and all proceeds go to charity. Our packaging costs have been reduced by 50%.
Where possible we use suppliers that have a range of plastic-free, sustainable and recyclable products. Some of our suppliers are registered B-Corps which means they have met high standards of social and environmental performance.
We adopt the same approach as our suppliers of packaging.
In our restaurant, we recycle our used cooking oil.
Our till tops are made from recycled yoghurt pots and are clad in a material made from recycled tyres

Goals we are working towards:

We are in the process of implementing a buying hierarchy to make more informed choices and eliminate, if possible, excess and unnecessary packaging in our products as well as supporting eco-friendly businesses.
We are installing in-house recycling stations for compost packaging and hard plastics as well as a pot recycling station where customers can leave and take pots to reuse.

Energy and Carbon Footprint

We are working to reduce the amount of energy we use and take steps to reduce our carbon footprint.

What we have achieved so far:

We are working to reduce the amount of energy we use and take steps to reduce our carbon footprint.
What we have achieved so far:
We have energy-efficient equipment such as light sensors, heating timers and LED lighting throughout the business.
We use numerous local suppliers in our plant centre, gift hall, food hall and restaurant, reducing supplier miles.
Over 80% of the plants we sell are supplied by British growers.
We use air-source heat pumps to provide most of our heating.
Goals we are working towards:
To increase our use of renewable energy, particularly solar energy.
To install EV charging points.
Continue to source products more locally and decrease our reliance on suppliers that are based overseas.
We would like to be a completely renewable business where we produce all the energy we use through solar panels, and we are currently inquiring about the most efficient way to make this next step.

Goals we are working towards:

To increase our use of renewable energy, particularly solar energy.
To install EV charging points.
Continue to source products more locally and decrease our reliance on suppliers that are based overseas.

Water Usage and Saving

Water is a vital and precious resource and we are working hard to reduce our water usage.

What we have achieved so far:

Water is a vital and precious resource, and we are working hard to reduce our water usage.
What we have achieved so far:
We have recently installed our first rainwater harvesting tank which collects excess rainwater from our roof into a 1000l tank which is filtered and used to water our plants.
We have also invested in capillary matting and trays on our plant benches to reduce water runoff and excess wastage when watering.
We offer a range of products for our customers to support them to save water, such as water butts and other watering systems.
Our public restrooms and facilities are fitted with eco-friendly taps which operate with sensors to conserve water and reduce excess consumption and wastage.
Toilet cisterns are also water-saving and dispense only what is needed.
With careful consideration, we have revised our plant area layout to reduce transpiration rates to reduce watering frequency and wastage.
Our Gents customer toilets have waterless urinals that save thousands of litres of water per year.

Goals we are working towards:

To continue to install further water-saving reservoirs and equipment to harvest water for use in our plant centre and potting shed.

Environmental and Biodiversity

We are working to reduce the impact we have on the environment generally and on wildlife and their habitats as well as creating new environments for wildlife and plants.

What we have achieved so far:

Over 97% of the growing media we supply is now peat-free and 80% of our suppliers are British.
We are proud to be an active member of the community where we share our gardening knowledge with schools, gardening groups and social groups, helping individuals grow and nurture their passion for gardening and the environment.
We have a range of organic and chemical-free products available to our customers and we are dedicated to sharing and suggesting alternative green products and procedures wherever possible.
In the Spring of 2022, we planted a 160 sqm perennial wildflower meadow to encourage insects, plants, and wildlife to thrive.
At least 60% of our food and beverage suppliers are within a small radius helping to lower our carbon footprint and support local businesses.
Ingredients supplied in plastic now have their packaging recycled, as well as our milk which is now in cartons.
Our range of peat-free and peat-reduced plants has increased, and we continue to work with suppliers on reaching our goals of 50% peat-free/peat-reduced plants in the coming years. This information is displayed on the information signage and plant label to help buyers make informed choices.

Goals we are working towards:

By the end of 2024, we aim to stock growing media which is 100% peat-free. Currently, we are working through our traditional composts and are excited to have a complete range of peat-free products available from Spring.
Completely removing the use of plastic and non-sustainable netting from our Christmas tree ranges by switching to twine.