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WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) research shows that despite the current economic downturn, gardeners are still environmentally conscious. One third of those who garden at home say they are more aware of how their gardening behaviour affects the environment than they were a year ago and half say that they have taken steps to ‘green-up' their gardening habits. However, two in five say that they would like more help and advice about how to be environmentally friendly in the garden.Retailers are in the perfect position to talk to customers about how they can achieve this- through stocking products that are effective, yet environmentally friendly - and then directing customers to these products.
With the gardening season now well under way, this is the perfect time for gardeners to get into green habits. Simple steps such as switching to peat-free compost can make a huge difference. If all gardeners made an effort to buy peat-free compost, we would be helping to stop the destruction of peat bogs which are home to hundreds of species and, through directing customers to peat-free composts containing recycled materials, we will be one step further along the road to making our gardens and homes as sustainable as possible.
As well as using peat-free compost, there are a number of other simple steps we can all take to become greener in the garden. For example, home composting is an easy activity for anyone with outside space, no matter how small - not only does it help to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill each year, it also produces a rich and nutritious compost which will help plants flourish.For customers with limited outside space, a wormery is a practical alternative to suggest.
Many retailers have already noticed an increase in the sale of fruit and vegetable seeds, and this grow your own trend seems set to continue. Retailers can take advantage of this by highlighting other green and relevant products for customers to buy, to aid their growing hobby. For example, recommending that customers purchase peat-free compost or peat-free grow bags to ensure the fruit and vegetables they grow are truly organic. Other green products that could be highlighted to customers include chemical free fertilisers and sprays, water butts - and even garden furniture made from recycled materials.
Retailers could make it easier for customers to find such products in store through clear labelling, and displaying products in a prominent position.Some bags of peat-free compost display a logo which shows the product contains recycled materials.
This means that it includes commercially recycled garden waste which would have previously been sent to landfill. Over 55% of households now have green bin collections in their area, so highlighting this link is a great way to demonstrate how the waste they throw away is being put to good use.
At WRAP we encourage people to be green in all aspects of their lives - in the garden, in the home and on the go. If retailers wish to prepare themselves with additional information about recycling, or tips on using recycled products in the garden, they can visit www.recyclenow.com for ideas. In addition, WRAP is producing some resources for retailers to use in store to promote their peat-free composts, including posters, shelf wobblers and a green gardening guide - all of which are available to download from www.recyclenowpartners.org.uk.
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