Company Environmental Policy
Through a responsible and proactive attitude to environmental issues, r t p is committed to minimise negative impact on the environment by the implementation and development of sustainable processes. We aim to incorporate the best of current practices and to continue to research and trial new and improved methods. We will ensure that environmental performance is an integral component in rtp’s future aims and business objectives.
We operate an environmental management system in all locations where our business operations are carried out. Through this, we aim for continual improvement in our environmental performance. Our objectives are to:
- Comply with all legal and other requirements that apply to our business activities.
- Regularly review and asses our activities, operations and procedures for environmental impact and plan strategies for improvement.
- Minimise negative impact caused by our activities by minimising waste and the use of non-renewable energy resources, and preventing pollution.
- Set out and achieve measurable targets for reducing the use of key criteria including peat and pesticide use, water, paper, energy, transport, waste, and environmental incidents.
- Maintain BS8555/Acorn and acheive ISO14001 certification for all our environmenatl mangaement sytems
- Incorporate best environmental practice and management in all new company expansion and development.
- Maximise recycling of waste materials on all sites and have clear guidance on segregation and disposal for all staff.
- Influence our suppliers and contractors to set targets for purchased goods and services to fully support our environmental policy, and purchase products with least environmental impact where possible.
- Demonstrate and promote environmental responsibilities, and best practices within our industry.
- Ensure that all staff understand our environmental performance and their own responsibilities, and provide training and induction to facilitate this.
- Reduce the use of paper and printed matter by optimising IT use and continually updating our website.
- Review and revise this policy annually.
Procedures
Environmental and Wildlife Conservation
Regular audits are carried out on the immediate environment ensuring that the existing habitat (hedges, field margins, pond, water courses, ditches etc) are responsibly managed and maintained and that the nursery has minimum impact on the local environment. Bird feeders and nest boxes are in place around the office building and are constantly maintained. Nesting birds are left undisturbed on the nursery.
Office
Recycled paper is used for all paperwork both internal and external and paper use is kept to a minimum. Waste paper, card, plastics and toner cartridges are separated and sorted for recycling. Light bulbs are long life energy efficient
Nursery
Plugs – over 50% of nursery production comes from its own plugs, propagated from existing stock. The plugs are fleeced in winter to reduce the use of heating which only comes into use when the local temperature falls below -4C.
Pots and trays – returned and unsold pots are re-used as far as possible otherwise they are separated and sent to a recycling centre to produce plastic for re-use. Propagation trays are similarly re-used or sent for re-cycling.
Peat – rtp’s compost is peat reduced by up to 35% for overall production with the use of bark. This policy is extended to the plug production with the peat reduction of up to 60%. Peat is sourced from areas of low current conservation value and is harvested in accordance with the International Peat Society and International Mire Conservation Group, Wise Use Guidelines (2002). We are in the vanguard of researching new compost materials.
Pest control is kept to a minimum. Benign and specific pesticides are used and in preference whenever possible, biological control methods, benign plant extracts and natural predators. Tests are constantly run with alternative methods to chemical use to suit our current crop production
Fertilisers – slow release fertilise capsules are used to prevent leaching into the environment and rtp plants are delivered to site with 12-14 months of the growth triggered fertiliser already incorporated. This cuts out the potential wasteful use of fertiliser on site and controls leaching
Water – irrigation comes from a reservoir feed from winter river water when winter flows exceed the norm. No mains treated water is used for irrigation. Irrigation systems are designed to minimise water wastage. The newly developed Illington site has drainage systems built for the collection and recycling of run - off water which will be set in place as the site develops. An automated irrigation system with detailed monitoring is being planned with the target of a 30% reduction in water use.
Pallets and boxes – we have a system in place for the re-use of all wooden pallets received with deliveries. These are used to make boxes for delivering plants to site. All boxes are collected from site and re-used where practicable. Otherwise, second-hand vegetable boxes are bought and re-used.
Waste – reduce, reuse or recycle and ensure disposal is in accordance with best practise. Soft plastics such as polythene, compost and pot wrap is compressed, bailed and sent for recycling as is cardboard such as boxes and pot covers. Hard plastics are separated and sent for re-cycling.
Green waste is shredded for local farm re-use and for use on a worm farm which shares the site at Illington with rtp. The worms break down the waste to produce worm cast a very good natural fertiliser and the farmed worms sold to such markets as the regeneration of brown filed sites.
Vehicles and machinery – all staff are made are made conscious of the need for minimal vehicle and machinery use and are encouraged to use push bikes to get around the nursery sites rather than vehicles. The use of forklifts is cut significantly down by the use of conveyors to move plants around in the Illington site during potting and lifting. Compost wastage has been reduced by the use of a bailer breaker which puts the peat directly into the potting machine hopper. A much more efficient method than loose peat stored in bunkers.
A detailed schedule of all sustainable processes is available from the Nursery Manager
Through a responsible and proactive attitude to environmental issues, r t p is committed to minimise negative impact on the environment by the implementation and development of sustainable processes. We aim to incorporate the best of current practices and to continue to research and trial new and improved methods. We will ensure that environmental performance is an integral component in rtp’s future aims and business objectives.
We operate an environmental management system in all locations where our business operations are carried out. Through this, we aim for continual improvement in our environmental performance.
