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The Most Sustainable Planting Scheme

The Most Sustainable Planting Scheme

At Planteria, sustainability isn’t just words on paper – it’s built into everything we do.

From the way we transport our technicians to the materials we use in our planting schemes, we’re committed to reducing environmental impact at every stage.

Here’s how we’re leading the industry with the most sustainable planting scheme available today.

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Walking Plant Technicians

100% Public Transport

While electric and hybrid vehicles are a step forward, we believe there’s an even smarter way to cut emissions and ease congestion.

That’s why we introduced our ‘walking technicians’—a team that travels entirely on foot or by public transport. No vans. No traffic. Just a more efficient and sustainable way to work.

They’re backed by one central shuttle, which delivers any replacement plants or equipment needed for the day. The result? We save more than 25,000 miles of van travel every year. That’s fewer emissions, less fuel, and cleaner air for everyone.

It’s a simple idea, but one that’s making a real difference.

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UK Grown Plants

Less Road MIles

The majority of indoor plants sold across Europe are grown in the Netherlands. It’s a long-standing supply chain – but one we’re working to shift.

By growing plants here in the UK, we cut down on transport miles, reduce emissions, and create local jobs. It means fresher plants, faster delivery, and better support for the British economy.

We believe the future of indoor planting should be greener in every sense of the word – and more rooted in local soil.

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Ecoponic Substrate

Saving our vulnerable peat-lands

Regular compost used for growing plants can contain up to 90% peat.

This peat is dug up from peatlands.  These natural wetlands are absolute 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.

Sunset over a UK peat field - home to a host of wildlife and carbon storage.

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. 

what is 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.  

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Ecoponic Substrate

Peat Free

Peat is commonly found in compost due to its water retention and nutritional qualities.  The natural wetlands where Peat is found is critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Not only that, but peat bogs store huge amounts of carbon which must be kept in the ground to avoid contributing to climate change.  

Ecoponic is 100% soil free.  This helps to protect our vulnerable peatlands – protecting wildlife and reducing carbon emissions. 

Reduced Water use

Ecoponic is very efficient at storing water.  It can absorb up to 44% of it’s weight in water.  During the watering, the grains absorbed it and no water remains in the pot. The roots slowly absorb the moisture from the substrate. This not only benefits the plant, it also reduces the amount of water used.

Less chance of flies or pests

Flies and pests can be an incredibly annoying problem in an office environment.  As Ecoponic contains no organic material, there is almost no chance of soil-borne pests. 

Infinite Lifecycle

It is permanently structurally stable (it will not break down or compact) this keeps the soil more airy and allows the roots to absorb enough oxygen.     

Ecoponic can be reused and recycled infinitely.

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Recycled & Sustainable Planting Containers

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.

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Pots made 100% from recycled waste

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Pots made from recycled materials including marine debris, artificial grass, textiles and more

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Pots produced using 100% wind energy

 

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Living wall system largely made from recycled clothing

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Planters made from upcycled pallets

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Plants donated to the local community

We regularly donate surplus plants and flowers to local groups, schools, and those who need them most. Over the years, we’ve supported several schools by helping them green their classrooms and create outdoor nature areas for pupils to enjoy.

Our plants and pots are also popular in the community. Locals often give old containers a new life, reusing and repurposing them so the plants can keep growing in new homes. It’s a simple way to share the benefits of greenery while reducing waste.

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Ecovardis Gold

We are committed to running our business responsibly and have been working through the EcoVadis accreditation process to measure our progress. EcoVadis is a recognised system that assesses companies on sustainability, covering areas like environmental impact, labour practices, ethics, and supply chain standards.

We recently submitted our accreditation and we’re aiming to achieve a Gold rating. This reflects the work we’ve already done and our focus on continual improvement.

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plant grow pots 100% recycled

Zero waste 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.

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pollinator friendly planting

Planting for the planet

Planting to support biodiversity is more than just good for the environment — it’s 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 well-being too

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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.  Custom made 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.  

Read More

Discover ways to enhance your office environment with our expert insights on biophilic design, wellbeing, sustainability and the world of plants.

Sustainability – what is it and why is it important?

Sustainability is much more than a buzzword. While the use of the word has certainly increased in frequency, the concept itself is hardly new. An ecosystem, a lifestyle, or a community that is sustainable is one which supports itself and its surroundings.
Sustainability itself can be defined by three core elements:

  • Environmental Protection
  • Social Development
  • Economic Development

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Environmental Protection

Environmental protection entails examining how our use of the environment affects it, and how we can ensure that negative effects are minimised and behaviours that positively impact the environment are emphasised.

Social Development

Ensuring that human beings have access to basic resources, that their health is being protected, and that they enjoy a good quality of life within a sustainable environment is crucial.

Economic Development

Sustainability without economic development simply cannot succeed. In order to convince individuals, communities, and organisations to invest their resources in sustainability, there must be incentives above and beyond the long-term advantages.

Why is it so Important?

Sustainability is important for a very simple reason: we cannot maintain our quality of life or the Earth’s ecosystems unless we embrace it.

Sustainability in the Home

There are many different ways to support sustainability at home.

Recycle

Recycling should be something we’re all doing as a matter of course now. Recycling eases pressure on the world’s resources and the environment.

Growing Food

Giving up a portion of your garden to plant vegetables has become increasingly popular in recent years. Container gardens, which can be moved and easily swapped out, are another great choice.

Conserving Water

Choosing plants native to your area that have evolved to thrive under the naturally present conditions is one choice. You can also consider installing rain barrels, depending on your local regulations, or planting a “rain garden”—planting water-loving foliage in areas where water tends to gather, to allow it to be absorbed into the soil rather than running off into storm drains.

Use of Fertilizers, Pesticides, and Herbicides

The chemicals you use on your lawn matter, and not just to your grass. Using safer, organic alternatives can help you keep your landscaping looking lovely without polluting or endangering the ecosystem. Lawn and garden care chemicals can have lasting effects on plants, animals, and insects in your area, and can also have a negative impact on the water supply.

There are so many ways to embrace sustainability, we hope this blog has given you some ideas to get you started.

What is Your ‘Green Leadership Style’?

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Are you an Eco Warrior, a Sustainability Superstar or a Green Hero?

We take a light-hearted look at this serious topic. Do you recognise your ‘Green Leadership Style’ and some of your challenges?

We also offer some practical suggestions to help you get your team on-board and make some green improvements around the office.

A recent, international study conducted by Unilever, revealed a third of consumers (33%) are now buying from brands based on their social and environmental impact. And an estimated €966 billion opportunity exists for brands that make their sustainability credentials clear.

The study asked 20,000 adults from five countries how their sustainability concerns impact their choices in-store and at home. Crucially, it then mapped their claims against real purchase decisions, giving a more accurate picture than ever of what people are actually buying – and why.

Strong emotions and opinions on the subject should be hardly surprising when you consider the vast amount of media attention that the problem of plastics in our oceans, and rubbish going to landfill, along with climate change accelerations. Are we all looking to someone else for the answers or are we creating the solution?

You’re likely to be the person in your workplace who is tasked with responsibility for steering your business into more environmentally friendly waters.

Which is Your ‘Green Leadership Style’?

“The Eco Warrior “

The Eco Warrior is most likely to be found working for a Tech-firm, in the Not for Profit sector, or in a company that is already integrated with a Green lifestyle. You are fully supported by your company who have embraced the plants you have added to all the indoor areas. Leading by example you will cycle, walk, or use public transport on your commute to the office. A true Eco Warrior will be on a personal zero to waste journey, having ditched shampoo in a bottle in favour of a bar variety. Woe betide any co-worker who is spotted with a single use plastic Frappuccino cup or a plastic straw! You lead by example and have a fervent conviction that we should all vote with our wallets and switch to greener and more ethical brands.

 

“The Sustainability Superstar”

You’re probably working for a large Multi-National with responsibility for ensuring sustainability across all areas of your business, which has already recognised the importance of this subject enough to appoint you to focus full-time on it. You are likely to review the compliance and green credentials of suppliers and potential business partners to ensure that there’s no ‘green-wash’ going on. This means reviewing documents and verifying details with a magnifying glass. You spend your spare moments reviewing news letters  from http://sustainabilitypractitioners.org even when you wish you were strolling around Hyde Park or doing some ‘Forest bathing’ instead. Passionate about the importance of your role to create impact and effect positive changes, your natural business acumen and ability to influence the board, innovate and suggest changes that will also boost the bottom line, mean you really deserve a superhero cape to wear to the office.

 

“The Green Hero”

Being environmentally aware and ethical is ingrained in your psyche, and comes naturally to you. Your role as office manager or facilities manager is one of juggling many balls, and spinning plates, keeping the whole place running smoothly. However, yours is a challenging task as you are often battling against colleagues who don’t share the same mind-set, or are perhaps just not as ‘enlightened’ as you. You despair of the amount of paper used in the printer for tasks which frankly need not be printed at all. Not to mention the take-out wrappings, and cups which you keep finding in the waste bins rather than the recycling bins you have provided. Sometimes you wonder if you are sounding more like a nagging parent than a departmental manager. As Kermit the frog famously said, “It’s not easy being Green”, and some of your colleagues, it seems, are determined to prove him right. It takes time for people to adopt new habits. But you are on a mission to ensure that they do. Take it from us, you’re the one who really deserves a medal.

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7 Easy Top Tips For Being Greener in The Office

Top tip 1: Cutting Back on Consumption – In the Kitchen

Ditch the coffee shop runs, or the coffee pod machine and most certainly get your colleagues out of the habit of buying single use plastic bottles of drink… and invest in a proper coffee machine or water  filter.  https://www.liquidline.co.uk/ check out the huge range from Liquidline and get a free quote or trial. If you just can’t quit your coffee shop habit then at least use a reusable coffee cup. Did you know that Starbucks reward customers who get into the recycling habit with a discount on every drink bought? Giving them a 25p discount every single time they bring in their own cup.

 

Top tip 2: Cups and glasses over plastic and paper

Use reusable water bottles and mugs at work.

 

Top tip 3: Prep Ahead

Save money and the planet by packing your lunch ahead of time with reusable containers. You might find that you make healthier, lower calorie choices this way too!

 

Top tip 4: Bring nature indoors

Did you know that having plants in your indoor environment can help clean the airoffset VOCs and CO2 emissions, and improve your mood?

Biophilia is the term for our love of nature and living things, we are genetically pre-disposed to feeling uplifted and ‘connected’ when we are exposed to natural elements. Including biophilic elements, like plants, in your office environment increase positive feelings, aid concentration and subconsciously connect you to nature and the wider world.

Bonus: plants look great and are a low-cost way to add contemporary decoration for any desk. You can get a FREE QUOTE for office plants here.

 

Top tip 5: Make Greener Office-Wear Choices

If you wear shirts to the office choose ones made of natural cotton or even better organic cotton, as synthetic fibres wash into our oceans adding to the plastic contamination. Do a label check before buying new clothes and avoid clothes that need to be dry cleaned. If it really needs dry cleaning seek out your local “green” dry cleaner. Look for your local Johnson Cleaners… Branch search 

 

Top tip 6 : Switch to non-toxic cleaning products

https://methodproducts.co.uk/  Method is just one of the many alternatives in ethical brands.

 

Top tip 7 : Digital Media

Opt for online media rather than paper version, including magazines, newspapers, trade journals, and other publications.

 

Why not email this list to your colleagues?!