SUSTAINABLITY POLICY
Sustainability at West Somerset Garden Centre
We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and are constantly working to reduce our impact and promote greener gardening.
Recycling & Waste
We recycle most of our waste—cardboard, paper, plastic, metal, and wood. Plant trays are reused or returned to suppliers where possible, or offered to customers.
Reducing Plastic
We’re working closely with suppliers to cut plastic use. We choose products with minimal or recyclable packaging. All our bedding plants come in kerbside-recyclable PET or colour packs, and our pot bedding uses recyclable taupe or coloured pots.
Plants & Sourcing
Plants are at the heart of what we do. We buy from trusted British and EU growers, ensuring year-round variety. All imports are certified and regularly inspected by the Government Plant Health team. Our trained staff monitor plant health and treat issues promptly.
FSC-Certified Products
All wood products we sell are FSC-certified. We inform and encourage customers to choose sustainable options by looking for the FSC logo.
Peat-Free Policy
We’re on track to be 100% peat-free by 2030. As of now, 75% of our compost sales are peat-free, led by brands like Melcourt. We do not sell moss peat, sedge peat, moss poles, or sphagnum moss. All plants we sell are grown in peat-free or reduced-peat media.
We offer clear information and support to help customers make the switch, including signage, leaflets, and trained staff advice. We also work with suppliers to improve the availability of peat-free products and display information.
Water Use
We collect rainwater from our roofs for irrigation. Plants are watered via flood benches, which recycle excess water. Trees use drip irrigation with capillary matting for efficiency.
Energy Efficiency
We’ve upgraded to LED lighting throughout the shop and offices, with more to come. Solar panels are being installed on the shop roof to further reduce our carbon footprint.
Purchasing & Policy
We choose suppliers and products with sustainability in mind. We promote eco-friendly gardening, monitor our environmental practices, and constantly strive to improve.