Case studies from growers and garden retailers will provide insight on how they are dealing with environmental issues at the HTA Sustainability Matters conference on Tuesday 30 April at Horticulture House in Oxfordshire. Book now at www.hta.org.uk/events to secure one of the remaining places.
Mike Burks from The Gardens Group will talk about how they seek to encourage customers to garden in an environmentally sound way. In 2009 they linked up with Dorset Wildlife Trust to launch a Wildlife Friendly Garden competition which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Wildlife gardening is a vehicle for gardening and living in a more sustainable way and allows them to get across positive environmental messages.
Natalie Porter from Porters Fuchsias will talk about the problem we face as an industry which relies so heavily on plastics, as well as the solutions they have implemented to help mitigate their eco-footprint.
Colin Jones from Carr Farm Garden Centre on The Wirral will provide examples of the ways in which they are making their business more sustainable. So far they have installed 6 biomass heaters, recycle all their cardboard and are also looking into harnessing storm water to re-use for plant watering.
Also, joining the programme is GMA Committee member Steve Harper from Bord Na Mona who will provide an update on the Government’s position on peat and talk about the Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media which looks at all products equally enabling customers to make informed purchasing choices.
The one-day event, chaired by George Bullivant of Garden Forum, includes speakers from the British Retail Consortium, RECOUP and Hubbub along with a panel session on plastics.
Further programme details include:
Consumer Insight – How sustainable should you be?
David Denny, HTA Marketing and Insights Manager and Laura Jeffery, HTA Marketing Executive provide an introduction into the current climate for ‘being sustainable’ and the opportunity for businesses of engaging with consumers and the local community.
Retail Sustainability – What are your business options?
Leah Riley Brown, Sustainability Policy Adviser, British Retail Consortium will look at the options currently available for British retailers who want to achieve a more sustainable business as well as cross-industry initiatives that also affect growers and landscapers.
The Plastic Packaging Recycling Journey
Stuart Foster, CEO of recycling charity RECOUP (RECycling Of Used Plastics Ltd), will look at the plastic packaging recycling journey from design to re-manufacture. He will cover practicalities around eco-design, collections, recycling, consumer engagement and legislation, providing examples relevant to the horticulture sector.
Trewin Restorick, CEO, from environmental charity Hubbub will talk about different community sustainability initiatives that he has been involved helping to inspire businesses to do the same.
There will be a cross industry panel session on plastics which will continue the discussions around industry initiatives including the introduction of the 100% recyclable taupe pot.
Panellists confirmed so far include HTA Policy Executive Sally Cullimore, Nick Mathias from Floramedia, Shaun Herdsman from Modiform, David Chilvers from The Bransford Webbs Plant Company and Matthew Appleby from Horticulture Week.
