Get in Touch
26th October 2021
Recyclability and horticulture are two terms that pretty much go hand-in-hand. There has been a real focus over the past decade to ensure that any new products developed can be recycled.
Eco-conscious customers demand a reduction in plastics and an increase in sustainable packaging that does not damage the environment. After all, horticulture in itself is the preservation and beautification of the environment, so why damage it through lazy packaging?
Industry standards are geared towards products that support nature and our landscape, and Dura-ID is very happy to back this cause through eco-friendly labels that are durable, weather-proof, but most importantly, recyclable.
There are a lot of products that are available across the industry to help you keep on top of your recycling game.
Plant pots can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, stone, metal and terracotta. Terracotta pots are excellent because the manufacturing process does not include any harmful chemicals. They are porous, which allows for air and water to easily move through to prevent root rot and soil disease. They are fantastic for indoor plants and outdoor container gardening, don’t cost the Earth and work well in cooler climates such as the UK.
Black taupe plastic pots are another solution you may look for. At the moment, black plastic pots cannot be recycled from the kerbside because PIR sensors at recycling facilities cannot recognise carbon-black pigments – this is why the lighter the colour, the easier it is to recycle. With no carbon, taupe plastic pots can still be recycled while you can still benefit from the darker colour for your plants if you want to protect them from the light.
Biodegradable fibre seed pots are a great alternative to plastic pots. They are made from peat free, biodegradable wood pulp, meaning you can plant them straight into the ground. They are also the perfect size for planting seeds or cuttings and biodegrade naturally into the compost when you plant out the whole pot.
These options can help you keep on top of your recyclability requirements when planting so that you and the environment can mutually benefit from your horticultural efforts.
A large portion of our horticultural stock labels have been recyclable since we started producing them. This includes the main two materials that Dura-ID uses across a large variety of sectors: polyplas and laserplas. Polyplas are horticultural stock labels for thermal printing, while laserplas is used in laser printing, and our self-tie tags provide an easy identification procedure, even if you are wearing thick gardening gloves.
Our sturdy stick-ins work effortlessly with HLS software while our laser compatible materials are available in a range of thicknesses to suit your business and the environment.
For over 40 years, our high quality inks and adhesives have stood the test of time thanks to the commitment of our horticultural team.
We can find the best fit to suit your requirements, from a few rolls, to millions of labels over many sites.
The depletion of peat bogs through harvesting peat in growing media is a huge concern for the industry. Peat-free composts are great for water retention but, for plants that require good drainage, adding a bit of grit and sharp sand to the mix will help support growth. A peat-free growing media will contain a mixture of organic materials such as composted bark, woodfibre, rock wool and perlite.
Always remember with these products to follow the instructions and use the recommended fertiliser because different formulas may contain separate necessary balances of nutrients.
The HTA says: “The industry has developed a Responsible Sourcing Calculator for growing media. This assesses the different environmental impacts of different components of growing media, and generates a ‘score’ for how responsibly sourced a product is.”
By utilising this calculator, we can find the right composition of growing media so that the environment is protected and we can grow plants in a way that does not damage the planet.
Dura-ID ensures that peat-free growing media is responsibly and clearly labelled through hard-wearing products so that gardeners can transparently figure out exactly what they need to grow plants and seeds in the right way.
The HTA has enacted a variety of initiatives with goals to ensure the horticultural industry is reaching sustainability in line with Government advice.
The HTA wants a 20% reduction in carbon emissions among HTA members. This includes direct emissions from appliances such as gas boilers and indirect emissions through electricity and energy used by organisations to produce products.
From the perspective of plastics, recycled plastics should make up 40% or more of the combined weight of items such as plant pots, packaging, garden chemical containers and growing media bags.
The HTA also wants recycling schemes that capture at least 10% of the weight of packaging for recycling or reuse by 2025.
Dura-ID is always passionate about improving the industry’s ability to recycle and look after the planet, which is why we are always looking for innovative methods to reduce plastics and weight when it comes to our labels.
Growing media suppliers need to be able to show their responsible sourcing schemes and carbon footprint as part of the information for their products, which Dura-ID can happily print. Through collaboration with the government in reducing peat in growing media, the environment and landscape will receive huge benefits.
Finally, the HTA wants growers to measure and manage their chemical use to a specific standard such as OHAS. This is so that products can be as natural as possible without compromising the environment.
All these measures aim to improve the environmental recovery our planet so desperately needs and Dura-ID is happy to do our bit to ensure that this change comes about.
From plant passports to considerate waste disposal and recyclability, Dura-ID is passionate about maintaining the health of the environment through horticulture. We are always keen to keep apace and even lead the conversation when it comes to this topic.
If you are interested in horticulture labels and how we recycle our products, contact us by emailing horticulture@dura-id.com or phone 01480 274230.
