World Environment Day: Members' Stories

17 June 2010

World Environment Day/Green Britain Day: What are members doing for or as a result of World Environment Day on 5th June/Green Britain Day 17th June?  Here are some of the members we’ve heard from so far – most of these are on-going environmental policies.

Especially for World Environment Day, Urban Planters Derbyshire/Nottingham has set up webinar to which you were all invited.  eFIG chairman Tom led a presentation online explaining the benefits of plants and how interior landscapers can promote this message.  Guests at the seminar included eFIG members of course as well as representatives from various clients.

Bumble Bees, Milton Keynes

Bumble Bees are really doing their bit for the environment and not just for World Environment day. Technician Tony Allington who was awarded a technician achievement award by eFIG earlier this year walks to his clients!  True they are mainly in the centre of Milton Keynes and he lives close by, but this is his preferred choice of transport. 

Even when he needs to visit a client in London, he catches the train and walks at the other end.  On the one day a week he needs to travel by van, he is a passenger in a shared van.  Well done Tony.

Office recycling policy – Bumble Bees haven’t stopped there, they have come up with a great idea.  Currently it is estimated that 20 million tons of food waste is generated in the UK every year.  Bumble Bees would like to help their customers make something good of this as a way of improving the environment for us all! 

BB plan to compost food waste from their customer’s offices turning it into nutrient-rich soil for plants.  “This will improve our customer’s environmental performance and reduce landfill and the numbers of lorries on the roads needed to get it there!” comments Yvonne Davies, MD of Bumble Bees.

Plant Force

Wherever possible Plant Force visit clients using public transport – their technicians even have small trolleys to take with them; when it is necessary for them to use vehicles i.e. when delivering plants, Plant Force use LPG vehicles.

One of PlantForce preferred container series is made from recycled glass in the UK; along with recycled slate chippings these measures go a long way to meeting the green credentials of many of their clients.

Indoor Garden Design

Indoor Garden Design ensure that van usage is cut down to a minimum and plant technicians use public transport.  Replacement plants are delivered by a dedicated Client run. As part of their commitment to the environment, recycling is paramount and soil, is cleansed and reused wherever viable.

Wherever possible IGD make use of client recycling facilities but in general any larger replacements/replanting is taken off site and back to the IGD plant room for recycling green wastecomposting.

Any cardboard packaging is recycled either on site or at IGD’s plant room where it is bundled for collection by a licensed recycling carrier. Biodegradable black bags are always used.

Flora-Tec Ltd

Most of Flora-Tec’s vehicles in London are LPG or hybrids; some clients we service using a ‘walk-in’ technician who uses public transport.  This way their carbon footprint can be kept as low as possible.

A part of our commitment to our IS0 14001 accreditation we have reduced our peat usage and all planting and subsequent maintenance works have been completed using our peat reduced compost.  This special mix uses 40% recycled wood pulp which not only has environmental benefits, but the lighter structure of the compost promotes healthy root growth and excellent plant development. 

In line with our ‘no chemicals’ policy we incorporate nematodes into our special compost mix;  consequently we have an excellent record of plant health and longevity keeping replacements and maintenance costs well within budgets.

Urban Planters West London

UP West London remove as much plant waste material and compost for mulching.  All polythene waste i.e. plant sleeves and compost bags are recycled along with plastic plant pots which are made available to the local community.

Green Team Interiors

GTI always try to ensure that green issues are taken into account; their policies include recycling and reusing plastic plant pots wherever possible and composting green waste which is then reused by staff in their gardens.

These are just a handful of stories we have found from our members.  But we know that many of you are composting green waste or looking at your vehicle route planning more carefully to decrease the number of journeys or repeat journeys.  Well done to all of you that are ahead of the game.

Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to report especially if you start a new green initiative.