HOW WE HELP TO SUSTAIN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Here at Polhill Garden Centre we take sustainability of our environment very seriously. We possess a genuine passion and deeply care about all things to do with the environment and its sustainability.  

The Garden Centre industry is currently under scrutiny for the sustainability of the environment we operate within. In This Blog, we will explore the various techniques and methods which we utilise at Polhill which help protect and sustain the natural environment.  

FOOD RECYCLING

Food recycling is another important element we take exceptionally seriously at Polhill. Our recycled food waste is turned into renewable energy for the surrounding Kent area.  

How does this benefit the environment?  

This allows for the surrounding Kent area to have more sustainable energy to use. 

RECYCLING OF OUR OLD WOODEN PALLETS

Did you know that here at Polhill we recycle our old wooden pallets which we can no longer use and turn it into our very own kindling which you can purchase? 

 How does this benefit the environment? 

Well, recycling of the wood is a positive factor for the environment as it means that we are reducing the outputs of our waste and litter levels. The added bonus of the kindling is that you are able to purchase it as a source of heating for your home – also great for creating a warm and cosy evening in front of the TV in the colder months.  

However, the most imperative element is that through the use of kindling to warm up your home, you will be reducing the amount you use your central heating. A reduction in home gas and electric usage is a pivotal aspect towards the sustainability of the environment. This is a major reason to why we are passionate about the Kindling we produce.  

As stated in our environmental policy (Click here to view) we actively promote recycling internally and amongst our customers and suppliers.  

LED LIGHTING: 

We use as many LED bulbs as we possibly can, as a method to reduce our electricity consumption. LED lights are up to 80% more efficient than traditional lighting such as fluorescent and incandescent lights. 95% of the energy in LEDs is converted into light and only 5% is wasted as heat. This is compared to fluorescent lights which convert 95% of energy to heat and only 5% into light! LED lights also draw much less power than traditional lighting; a typical 84-watt fluorescent can be replaced by a 36-watt LED to give the same level of light. 

This helps to enable us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.  

How does this benefit the environment? 

This benefits the environment as LEDs mean that less energy is being wasted as they offer a more efficient form of lighting to that of incandescent lights.  

PLASTIC POTS: 

Some of our plants come in plastic pots. However, 90% of the plastic pots here at Polhill are kerb side recyclable. As a company we make sure that the plastic is sent away for recycling and will not be littered nor reused by us. Again, this is a measure we are strongly passionate about as we feel it is our duty as a garden centre to do our part towards positively impacting the environment as much as possible.  

How does this benefit the environment? 

We ensure that plastics are being recycled properly, a pivotal facet as plastic waste has many negative aspects towards the environment. 

GLASS, CARDBOARD & PLASTIC RECYCLING: 

Here at Polhill we separate all our glass, cardboard and plastics to ensure that they can all be dealt with and recycled properly. This helps reduce the wrong materials going to the wrong places within landfill sites.  

How does this benefit the environment? 

 Recycling is very important as waste has a huge negative impact on the natural environment. Harmful chemicals and greenhouse gasses are released from rubbish in landfill sites. Recycling helps to reduce the pollution caused by waste. 

ELECTRIC CHARGING POINT IN OUR CAR PARK: 

At Polhill we try our best to create awareness of the effects which carbon emissions have on the environment. That’s why we believe our electric charging point to be great, a method to try and increase the awareness and usage of electric vehicles on British roads.   

The presence of electric and hybrid vehicles is also increasing in our own fleet.  

How does this benefit the environment? 

It demonstrates that we are actively trying to reduce our carbon emissions whilst encouraging our customers to use electric vehicles through our designated charging points.  

COMPOSTABLE BAGS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS: 

We actively try and promote as much as possible the benefits of the bags we give our customers. Our 5p compostable bags dispose and break down in a manner that is kinder to the environment than plastic. It is made from plant-based, recycled materials and can return to earth quickly and safely as soil when disposed of in the right environmental conditions. 

The major benefits to the environment are that a compostable bag requires less carbon to produce, reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill and provides the earth with life-promoting nutrients. 

How does this benefit the environment? 

 It takes less carbon to produce compared to a conventional plastic bag and is much more friendly to the environment long-term as plastic does not degrade. Compostable bags when disposed of sufficiently will completely degrade, thus being significantly friendlier towards the environment.  

HOW WE MINIMISE OUR TOXIC EMISSIONS: 

We minimise our toxic emissions through the selection and use of our own fleet and the source of our own power requirement. This gives us greater control of our overall emissions, enabling us to actively minimise our overall carbon footprint.  

We have also invested in insulation, ensuring that heat energy is kept and that fewer chemicals are released into the atmosphere, thus having a better environmental impact. Through the insulation the business uses less energy for heating and cooling of the centre. This helps to reduce our carbon footprint, in addition with reducing the amount of chemicals released into the environment from air conditioning units. 

How does this benefit the environment? 

It ensures that we reduce our carbon footprint levels, doing our part to make the air we breathe is more pure.  

We are always seeking methods which can be implemented with regards to sustainability of the environment. The above are just a few examples of what we do at Polhill Garden Centre to make sure that we are as environmentally friendly as possible.