Our approach to sustainability
Part 2: what we're doing
The initiatives, innovations, and everyday decisions helping us reduce environmental impact.
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we are working with specialist consultants to review our business and help shape our long-term sustainability strategy. This work will help us strengthen our processes, measure our impact more effectively, and continue making meaningful progress for both people and the planet.
By taking a strategic and measurable approach to sustainability, we aim to:
- Improve quality of life
- Protect ecosystems and natural resources
- Support biodiversity and protect flora and fauna
- Help create a better future for generations to come
- Reduce the risk of exploitation across our supply chain and operations
This is an important stage in Planteria’s journey. While we already implement a range of sustainable practices and innovations across our business, this work will help us build on that foundation and drive continual improvement. We will continue to keep our people, clients, service partners, and wider communities informed as we progress.
what we're doing
1. Peat-free substrate
Saving our vulnerable peatlands
Regular compost used for growing plants can contain up to 90% peat.
This peat is dug up from peatlands. These natural wetlands are absolutely vital for not only plants and wildlife, but also storing carbon. It takes 1,000 years for one metre of peat to form! But over 80% of the UK peatlands are already damaged.
Our vulnerable peatlands are being excavated at the expense of our fragile environment.
Peatlands cover only around 3% of the world’s land area, but they store 30% of soil carbon
A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.
At Planteria we knew we had to do our bit to protect our vulnerable peatlands and the wildlife that call them home. We can now offer a zero-peat alternative to soil.
We call it Ecoponic.
Officially classified as a Vulcaponic Substrate – it’s a recipe of pumice, zeolite and the perfect mixture of fertiliser for optimum plant growth.
Now almost 100% of the plant displays that go through our warehouse are planted in Ecoponic.
PEAT FREE
Ecoponic is 100% soil free. Using it helps protect our vulnerable peatlands, saving our wildlife and reducing carbon loss
LESS FLIES & PESTS
Ecoponic contains no organic material, which means there is almost no chance of soil-borne pests
REDUCE WATER USE
Ecoponic stores water very efficiently – reducing the amount of water used
what we're doing
2. Sustainable Planters
We offer a wide range of planting containers designed with sustainability in mind, each one made using recycled or low-impact materials to reduce waste and lower your carbon footprint.
Pots made 100% from recycled waste
Pots made from recycled materials including marine debris, artificial grass, textiles and more
Pots produced using 100% wind energy
Living wall system largely made from recycled clothing
Planters made from upcycled pallets
what we're doing
3. Sustainable Plant Sourcing
The way plants are sourced has an impact on both environmental performance and long-term plant health. That’s why we focus on responsible sourcing methods that prioritise quality, resilience, and reduced transport impact.
We work closely with carefully selected growers and suppliers to source plants through shorter, more efficient supply chains wherever possible. This helps reduce unnecessary delivery miles, improves consistency, and supports a more reliable supply network.
Plant selection is equally important. We specify species that are well suited to interior environments and chosen for their long-term performance, helping reduce avoidable replacements, waste, and ongoing resource use.
By combining thoughtful sourcing with practical plant selection, we create planting schemes designed to last longer, perform better, and support more sustainable workplaces.
what we're doing
4. Walking Technicians
saving more than 125,000 van miles every year
While electric and hybrid vehicles are a step forward, we believe there’s an even smarter way to cut emissions and ease congestion.
For your project we can use ‘walking technicians’. Your plants can be maintained by a team that travels entirely on foot or by public transport. A more efficient and sustainable way to work.
They’re backed by a central shuttle, which delivers any replacement plants or equipment needed for the day. The result? We save more than 125,000 miles of van travel every year.
That’s fewer emissions, less fuel and cleaner air for everyone.
WALKING TECHNICIAN SAVINGS IN 2025
VAN MILES SAVED
0
METRIC TONNES OF CO2 SAVED
0
By taking vans off the road, saving 125,000 van miles, we have saved the 25.82 metric tonnes of CO2. This is equivalent to what 1,000 mature trees absorb in a year.
what we're doing
5. Supporting communities
We believe plants should do more than improve workplaces. They should benefit people and communities too.
We regularly donate surplus plants, flowers, and containers to local schools, charities, and community groups, helping create greener, healthier spaces for people to enjoy. Over the years, we’ve supported schools with classroom planting, outdoor nature areas, and wellbeing-focused projects that encourage learning and connection with the natural world.
We also work with organisations such as A Good Thing and Discovery Outdoors to help give unused planting a second life where it can make a real difference. Across local communities, many of our pots and containers are reused and repurposed, helping plants continue to thrive in new homes while reducing waste.
what we're doing
6. Zero to Landfill
We are a zero waste to landfill company, and we take that seriously at every stage of our work.
In the Netherlands alone, over 3 billion plastic plant grow pots are used each year. Most planting companies send these pots to general waste, claiming they are too difficult to recycle due to mixed materials or contamination.
At Planteria, we do things differently. Every single grow pot that comes through our nursery is sorted and recycled properly. We work with specialist recycling partners to make sure these plastics stay out of landfill and are given a new purpose.
It takes more effort, but it’s the right thing to do. And it’s one more way we reduce waste across our supply chain.
what we're doing
7. ecovadis certification
As part of our commitment to society, our people and the environment, Planteria has completed a thorough assessment of its business sustainability practices through EcoVadis, a global leader in business sustainability assessments. The EcoVadis assessment includes 21 sustainability criteria across four core themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement.
We are pleased to announce that we have received our EcoVadis Silver Medal in 2025, ranking in the top 7% of companies rated in our industry category.
what we're doing
8. biodiversity at our head office
Sheep, pollinators hotels and more
Our headquarters is located in rural Essex, providing the space needed for our operations, plant stock, and team. As part of our approach to managing the site responsibly, we have replaced petrol-powered mowing in some paddocks with a small flock of grazing sheep, helping to maintain the landscape in a simple and natural way.
The site has been developed to support local wildlife and biodiversity. Native hedgerows, a wildlife pond, and meadows planted with pear trees help provide habitat and food sources for a range of species, while bird feeders further encourage wildlife. Living walls and interior planting also bring nature into the workplace, helping create a greener environment for employees and visitors.
what we're doing
9. Planting for the planet
pollinator friendly planting
Planting to support biodiversity is a great way to bring people together. It offers a hands-on opportunity for staff to get involved, whether by helping choose the plants, taking part in planting days, or simply enjoying the wildlife that follows.
We’ve seen it spark real interest and conversation across teams. It brings life to terraces and outdoor areas, turning them into spaces people want to spend time in. The result is not just a boost for nature, but a lift in staff engagement and wellbeing too
what we're doing
10. Habitats for nature
making the office a destination (for nature)
Make your site a destination for pollinators with our bespoke pollinator habitats. Handcrafted, bespoke-made here in the UK with sustainably grown wood from managed forests. Crafted in the shape of your logo, name or nearly any shape you chose!
We can also craft the perfect design for you, incorporating sustainable and nature supporting products such as bee baths, bird boxes, worm buffets, bird feeders and more.
This is the perfect pairing for our bee-friendly planting schemes.
Find out more here.
find out more about sustainability at planteria
Our Sustainability Journey
Supporting Our Client’s Sustainability Ambitions
Many of our clients have implemented an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy, taking a holistic view of the interconnected importance of these pillars as essential to running a successful, responsible, and sustainable business. In turn, we can help our clients, supporting them, as a sustainable supplier, and helping to achieve their goals in the following areas:
Provide Biophilic Design and Planting in the Workplace
We believe that the future of the workplace is all about creating people-centric spaces and ensuring the wellbeing of staff. Numerous studies (such as the Three Field Experiments and The Economics of Biophilia) show that biophilic design which includes planting, create positive emotions, reduce stress and absenteeism, and improve productivity and creativity.
Attracting, Retaining and Engaging Talent
Organisations want to create working environments that represent who they are and what they stand for. Adding beautiful planting to the office improves its aesthetics, helping attract, retain, and engage staff. For example, the sick building syndrome, which means that people can experience health issues when they spend too much time indoors, could be avoided by bringing the outside in. Staff also performs better when plants are added to the workplace, and people are becoming more aware of working environments when choosing a new job as well.
Get in Touch and Discover More About Our Approach to Sustainability
Want to learn more about our sustainable practices? Find out more information about office plants and flower arrangements or browse our case studies to see what we can do for you.
Feel free to contact us so we can discuss your needs.
You can also follow us on LinkedIn to stay on top of our latest updates and news!
