2018-10-11

Resource conservation – a practical example in the retail industry

Resource conservation – a practical example in the retail industry
 
Author:
Managing Director Media Concept Group

Many industrial companies as well as the suppliers of the retail industry are following the megatrend “neo-ecology”. By doing so, they develop sustainable and resource preservative production processes and products. A few years ago, the efforts of most suppliers in the green industry were rather marginal. The retail businesses set the tone and started initiatives to, among other reasons, differentiate themselves from the competitors. In this article we introduce an interesting example from Great Britain.

The DIY chain B&Q sells 140 million bedding plants per year. In order to reduce the amount of peat being used, B&Q obliged its suppliers of bedding plants to use substitutes. The peat free produced bedding plants were integrated into the 2014 launched brand easyGrow. For plants that are being produced in tea bags instead of plastic pots, B&Q additionally launched the label TEA BAGTM. The peat free bedding plants are also being produced in the tea bags. The tea bags are biodegradable. Therefore, the plants can be planted without having to remove the tea bags which reduces the damage to the roots. As a result, B&Q is able to offer peat and plastic free bedding plants to its customers.

easyGrow – the brand for sustainable production of B&Q
easyGrow – the brand for sustainable production of B&Q

Peat Replacement

As a replacement for peat B&Q uses coir, a side product of the coconut processing. With this project B&Q was able to change coir from a side product to a material with economic value. Additionally the project created 750 new jobs in Sri Lanka and the amount of peat based compost being used could be reduced by 20’000 tons per year.

B & Q bedding plants in recyclabe teabags
B & Q bedding plants in recyclabe teabags

Biodiversity

The environmental commitment of B&Q goes even further. The newest initiative is about the topic biodiversity. Die DIY chain commissioned an organization that is operating in the field of sustainability to investigate how much the population and the wildlife benefit from private gardens and what restricts people to do more for the environment. The result shows clearly, that both, the population and the wildlife benefit greatly from private gardens. Additionally, the report shows, what each and every one can do. In specific, the DIY chain published 10 simple hints on how everybody can help foster a greater biodiversity.

The Nature of Gardens – the logo of B & Q to increase biodiversity.
The Nature of Gardens – the logo of B & Q to increase biodiversity.

Also in Switzerland

B&Q is not alone with its efforts. In Switzerland biodiversity is rather popular at the moment. In September 2017 the executive body of Switzerland passed the hands on plan on how to increase biodiversity in Switzerland. The plan comprises 26 measures and 19 projects that are being realized. By 2022 a first analysis is planned in order to analyze which goals are met and what has to be done further. In total the Swiss confederation spends annually up to CHF 80 million. Furthermore also the cantons, the communities and environmental organizations help financing the action plan.

Please feel free to get in contact with us for more information.

 

Author:
Robert Wacker
Managing Director Media Concept Group
Robert Wacker has been working in the green industry since 1980. For 20 years, he has been developing marketing and sales concepts for breeders, producers and retailers. As Managing Director of all international affairs for the Media Concept Group, he regularly writes articles for this blog.

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