The Greener Gardening Company says it’s exceeding its peat-free expectations

All packaging in the range is recyclable and incorporates 30% recycled plastic in its bags

Move towards a peat-free future is also echoed by its parent company, Bord na Móna

Retail

28 January 2021

Peat-free growing media manufacturer The Greener Gardening Company has revealed that it is currently exceeding its own expectations, with almost 60% of its product portfolio set to be peat-free in 2021, up from 20% in 2019.

The achievement has come about through a combination of investment and innovation, with its 100% peat-free Happy Compost range driving targets quicker than first anticipated through consumer confidence and significant repeat sales.

Since its launch two years ago, the company said its Happy Compost range has continually outperformed all brand-leading peat-free growing media. All packaging in the range is recyclable and incorporates 30% recycled plastic in its bags, while all core raw materials are recycled or sustainable by-products, including bark, wood fibre, coir and green compost, heightening the range’s appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and making it the top choice for retailers across the country.

Jason Pike, national sales manager at The Greener Gardening Company said “combined retailer and consumer confidence is enabling us to project even greater majority percentages for our peat-free portfolio in 2021 than first expected, something which will only ever have a positive impact for both the environment and retailer profits. It’s an exciting place to be, and we are committed to developing this further over the coming season.”

The Greener Gardening Company’s move towards a peat-free future is also echoed by its parent company, Bord na Móna, which recently announced it has ended all peat harvesting operations.

“It is great to see Bord na Móna continuing to commit to a more sustainable future,” continued Pike, “but we want to reassure our retail customers that these changes will not have any immediate impact on our offering. The Greener Gardening Company will continue operating as normal, supported by existing peat reserves. In line with our overall environmental strategy and coupled with the required climate solution proposals, we are focused and committed to taking our loyal consumers on a journey which is focused on reducing peat and developing alternative growing media solutions over the coming years.”

While Pike welcomed Bord na Móna’s announcement, his response was not shared by all members of the horticulture community. When speaking to Growtrade.ie earlier this month, several growers expressed their disappointment with the decision, with Tim Schram, director of Schram Plants, stating that he is now ‘worried about the future of the industry’.