Environmental Stewardship

The green industry earns its name by advocating for eco-friendly practices, and we’re proud to be part of it. Our operations are dedicated to sustainable production and environmental care, particularly around our beautiful West Michigan location.

Non-Invasive Plant Introductions

We prioritize introducing non-invasive and native plant varieties. Examples include:

• Golden Ticket Privet 
• Sunjoy Mini Maroon Barberry and Sunjoy Todo Barberry
• Fire Ball Seedless Burning Bush
• Mr. Smooth Seedless Silverthorn

Recycling Initiatives

Our recycling programs aim to repurpose materials and minimize waste:

Bulk Recycling

• Pallets: Approximately 2,000 pallets annually.
• Liner Trays: Ranging from 200,000–300,000 lbs. annually.
• Retired Marketing Tags: Approximately 12,000 lbs. annually.
• Metal: Approximately 12,000 lbs. of steel and 1,500 lbs. of copper recycled annually.
• Cardboard: Approximately 62,000 lbs. annually.
• Office Mixed Recyclables: Approximately 3,900 lbs. annually.

Small-Scale Recycling

• Clothing: Annual clothing drives collect and recycle used branded clothing and fabric banners.
• Computer Equipment: Used electronics are regularly recycled as part of our e-waste program.

Sustainable Plastic Use

Our commitment to sustainable plastics includes innovative packaging and materials that reduce waste and environmental impact.

Bloomprint Packages

• Plastic Reduction: Each package uses 80% less plastic than conventional nursery containers.
• Energy-Efficient Transport: Foldable packaging allows higher density packing per truckload.
• Water Efficiency: The design reduces water needs, and natural air pruning prevents root girdling.

Recyclable, Compostable Poly Materials

• Smart Plastic Technology: Plant wrap bags are biodegradable within 6–42 months, leaving no microplastics.
• Pallet Wrap Material: The same technology is used in pallet wrap, further reducing waste.

Greenguard-Certified Marketing Stickers

• Eco-Friendly Materials: PVC-free and halogen-free to minimize pollution.
• Long Lifecycle: With a three-year durability, the Greenguard Gold Certified stickers use low-impact inks.

Waste Reduction & Energy Conservation

We continuously refine our practices to reduce waste and energy consumption.

• Waste Reduction: Flats and grower pots are washed and reused. Reusable cutlery and plates are provided in all break rooms.
• Water Efficiency: Our 90,000 sq ft flood floor keeps water off foliage to lower pesticide needs and filters and reuses water with ionized copper treatment to prevent fungal growth.
• Energy Conservation:
  • Automatic lights turn off after hours.
  • High-efficiency LED lighting.
  • Natural light use in offices reduces energy needs.
  • Our efficient boiler provides heat to the flood floor and propagation areas.
  • Heat retention curtains in propagation greenhouses conserve warmth on cold nights.
  • Double-poly insulated greenhouses and heat-retentive curtains conserve energy.
  • Ventable Westbrook greenhouses reduce the need for fans.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Our IPM practices help us manage pests naturally and sustainably.

• Biological Controls for natural pest management.
• Rice Hulls as soil dressing for herbicide-free weed prevention.
• Sticky Tape Insect Traps on greenhouse booms reduce insect populations without the use of insecticides.
• Thoughtful Chemical Application preserves biological controls and reduces overall chemical reliance. 

Through these methods, we proudly embrace our role as environmental stewards, actively seeking new ways to reduce our ecological footprint. Our staff are also empowered to develop innovative solutions for pest control and waste management, fostering sustainability throughout our operations.