LANDSCAPING SERVICES
HOW THE BENEFITS OF PEAT-FREE GROWING CAN BOOST THE WHOLE SUPPLY CHAIN
Greenwood Plants is a landscape supply nursery which specialises in the new build property sector . Producing around six million plants a year , it operates from seven nursery sites across the UK , and employs more than 100 people .
Achieving sustainability leadership is a major focus for Greenwood , and it is committed to becoming fully carbon neutral , growing in the greenest way possible , being an active stakeholder in local communities and environments , and exercising responsible planetary stewardship . Earlier this year it launched its new sustainability strategy , which initiated several pioneering practices to use resources efficiently , reduce waste , and encourage biodiversity – such as switching diesel forklifts and other vehicles to electric , reducing waste , recycling water , and using biodegradable sundries . One of Greenwood ’ s biggest endeavours is to transition to peat-free compost .
Peat is an excellent growing medium ; however , its harvesting process releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere , which has an adverse effect on greenhouse gas levels and contributes to climate change . One year of commercial peat extraction removes around five hundred years ’ worth of peat growth – if we continue to deplete our peatlands at this rate , we could potentially run out within the next decade and lose an important ecosystem .
With the latest announcements by DEFRA on the 2024 ban on retail sales of peat and an expedited transition to peat-free alternatives ahead of a ban for the professional sector , the debate around the use of peat continues within the horticultural industry . Greenwood was getting asked lots of questions around the topic of peat and
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