Association Comment: GIMA
How sustainability is driving demand for GIMA members
up the dialogue regarding how suppliers can look beyond traditional materials and create something beautiful and functional whilst positively impacting the planet.
Long before the pandemic made people sit up and notice their impact upon the world, the subject of sustainability has been one that has long driven new product development and business practices amongst GIMA’s garden retail supply members. Here we find out more about the latest development from those brands leading the charge. Products that rely on natural ingredients and
not on chemicals are fast becoming the norm. Members such as DJ Turfcare, Natural Grower and Bloomin’ Amazing have all bolstered their offering with new chemical-free solutions, whilst Hygeia has brought to market the Nature Safe range. Hygeia’s Tom Stolworthy says: “With vegans cutting all animal-based products out of purchasing decisions, and growing demand for natural, organic solutions, a new generation of eco-friendly products that are free from animal derivatives and chemicals are driving change. “Safe for use around children and pets, the
Nature Safe range is completely plant-based, and uses no animal by-products or poultry additions. Each of the products has been designed to promote a healthy eco-system and is bee-friendly, ensuring that our essential pollinators are kept safe and sound.” New GIMA member, Lava Lite, has created a
range of 100 per cent natural pest control products. Unlike chemical alternatives, Lava Lite products do not kill pests instead they create a natural deterrent. The result of which being that all Lave Lite products are child and pet safe, whilst the wider eco-system remains balanced Growing media is another product area
where a move away from traditional solutions has continued apace, with peat-free driving demand. Southern Trident’s Coco & Coir Peat- Free Compost range is a must stock for garden retailers looking to meet challenging environmental targets. Not only is the product itself 100 per cent renewable, peat-free and environmentally friendly, even the packaging is 100 per cent recyclable. Material innovation has helped to shape
Primeur’s Eco Garden collection. Made from 100 per cent recycled rubber tyres, which would otherwise take upwards of 80 years to decompose, this product offering is opening
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www.gardencentreupdate.com GCU August 2021
Going beyond product Many GIMA members are also looking beyond product, recognising the responsibility they have to create more sustainable business practices, whilst minimising waste and reliance on single use plastics. Lava Lite is currently working towards 100 per
cent recyclable and compostable packaging, whereas Thorndown make the only wood paint and a greenhouse shading peelable glass paint using post-consumer recycled plastics. Thorndown also confirm that all its packaging is 100 per cent recyclable or compostable, and the energy used in production is 100 per cent renewable. The company’s POS displays are also made from sustainable FSC timber and recycled plastic boards. Elsewhere, Deco-Pak is 100 per cent focused
on reducing its environmental impact, reusing materials where possible, and ensuring that any waste is recycled. All its packaging is 100 per cent recyclable, and Deco-Pak is currently trialling recycled plastic, made from repurposed consumer waste, for its bags. Sustainability is always at the core of what
the Cotswold Granaries brand does. All the company’s latest wild animal food packaging is 100 per cent home-compostable, made from starch and plant fibre, creating a genuinely zero-waste product. The new robust and easily resealable pouches offer a natural waste-free alternative to plastic. Innovative products like these are becoming essential as consumers are aware of the environmental impact of single- use plastics and often want to purchase sustainable, plastic-free products that won’t harm the planet.
Burgon & Ball’s latest RHS Gifts for Gardeners
collection ‘British Meadow’ has also ditched the plastic, instead featuring recyclable cardboard gift boxes, which nonetheless retain the range’s eye- catching shopper appeal. The collaboration with the National Trust has created core gardening, gifting and children’s gardening ranges, all attractively presented in recyclable cardboard packaging printed with vegetable-based inks. Sipcam Home & Garden has recently
launched greener packaging solutions. All its bottles are now made from 100 per cent recycled materials and are fully recyclable at end of life. To help reduce plastic waste even further, Sipcam’s ecofective brand now offers a selection of refill options to fill large ready-to- use bottles. A brand-new concept to the range, the 200ml refills contain a concentrated formula that, when mixed with water, can be used to create a new ready-to-use product in an existing ecofective bottle. This means gardeners can continue using their larger bottle and simply recycle the smaller refill, which is better news for the planet. Biodiversity is also a top priority at Capi
Europe. This year the company will expand the biodiversity collection with new rain barrels, watering cans and plant sprayers, but also a complete new modular concept for birds- and insect hotels. This concept contains single products, but they are designed to click them all together to create a full bird and insect mansion
About GIMA The Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association (GIMA) is a membership organisation of around 150 members representing the majority share of suppliers and manufacturers operating within the UK gardening industry. For further information please contact the GIMA team on 01959 564947 or email
info@gima.org.uk
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