STAFF at one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries in Hereford are celebrating this month (February, 2016) after being awarded with a certificate of registration for the Environmental Management System – ISO 14001.
Wyevale Nurseries operates an Environmental Management System, which complies with the requirements of the ISO 14001 for the production and supply of container grown nursery stock for the garden centre and amenity markets.
Steve Reed, Container Division Production Director at Wyevale Nurseries, said: “We are delighted that we have once again been awarded with an Environmental Management System – ISO 14001.
“We want to be environmentally responsible and ISO 14001 is very important as it is a European Standard. Customers in both markets are constantly asking us about our environmental management – it is a key factor in our business.
“We set a range of targets to reach before the end of July 2016 such as recycling more water – 20,000 cubic metres, improving space utilisation in our lorries and reducing our plant waste. We will also be monitoring the quantity of agrochemicals used on-site.
“To add to this we also had 160 solar panels fitted, 120 at our head office site and 40 at our Transplants Division. This is a 40kWp size system and we are using the power generated to run our office equipment, irrigation pumps and heating. Any excess unused power is being sent to the National Grid. The expected annual generation is 37,160.00 kWh.”
ISO 14001 is an internationally accredited standard that outlines how to put an effective environmental management system in place within organisations.
It is designed to help businesses remain commercially successful without overlooking environmental responsibilities and impacts. It can also help businesses to grow sustainably while reducing the environmental impact of this growth.
Wyevale Nurseries is one of the largest family-run wholesale nurseries in the UK. It was established in 1930 by Harry Williamson, a horticulturist and entrepreneur. It became the company it is today under the leadership of his son, Peter, who sadly passed away in 2011.
The Williamsons’ saw the opportunity to sell their product to an undeveloped retail market, creating one of the first garden centres, followed by a chain. In 1987, the retail side needed to expand and the 19 garden centres were sold as a PLC.
The family then turned its focus to Wyevale Nurseries Ltd. It continues to be a family-run business with ownership and joint chairmanship currently being held by the third generation, Heather and Simeon Williamson, with plans for the fourth generation to takeover in the future.
Wyevale Nurseries has a significant product range and is regularly introducing new plants. It offers a large variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants to garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners.
For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, please call 01432 845 200, visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk, follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WyevaleNurs or log on to www.facebook.com/WyevaleNurs.
