We are committed to making a positive impact through outstanding environmental sustainability performance. As a business we strive to keep improving our environmental impact through our processes and our social responsibility, ensuring we have a positive influence on the people and natural world around us. We are dedicated to supporting more sustainable agriculture and as such, we have outlined our pledge for 2021 in the following commitments:
Conserving natural resources
In sourcing and production, Botanicoir produces a high-quality coir product made from the husk of a coconut, a sustainable alternative to substrates from non-renewable sources and it is our pledge to continue to harvest and utilise these materials in the most sustainable way possible, with a vision to replace unsustainable growing media to produce healthy plants.
Energy, waste and recycling
In processing, the challenges presented by water, drying and plastic use are addressed by taking a forward-thinking and innovative approach.
A waste-water management and purification plant has been established, a biomass boiler powered dryer installed, and bio-degradable plastic grow bags launched in 2019. In addition, achieving ISO 14001:2015 gives independent assurance of Botanicoir’s environmental management strategies.
We use bio-degradable plastic for our grow bags, which growers can simply mulch with the coir and spread on land, with zero negative impact on the local environment.
Social impact
We recognise that a business’s most important asset is its team. Botanicoir embeds sustainable practices in the company’s culture and enables employees to have a positive work life balance that supports their health and mental wellbeing, especially during challenging times such as the Coronavirus pandemic.
All Botanicoir factories have a strict no child labour policy, set working hours and regular, ample rest periods. Supervisors are constantly present to ensure that health and safety measures are always met. All employees receive a wage that is above the industry average, a healthcare scheme, meals at work, and transport to and from the factory.
Social sustainability also extends beyond that of the organisation or farming business. Community engagement activities are important for delivering public recognition and support of more sustainable farming as well as building goodwill amongst local communities. Botanicoir supports local communities by engaging with long-term initiatives to improve the local infrastructure and schools and supports projects that play a central part of the communities’ culture, for example sponsorship of a temple and an orphanage.
Traceability
We want to know exactly where all of our products come from so we can be sure that we are not only working ethically and sustainably ourselves, but also encouraging similar practices in others.
Economic
Botanicoir raises awareness of sustainability issues at an industry and consumer level to drive forward support for more sustainable farming. It is a key part of our mission to collaborate within the sector and work with peers to effect positive change in order to present a united front when working with the government.
Partnerships
Achieving more sustainable farming is a collective responsibility involving the entire food chain, and now that we are in the midst of a global pandemic, food security is more important than ever. Effective, collaborative partnerships help to encourage innovation, and deliver lasting improvements, acting as a powerful catalyst for change and we are always looking to grow our network of partnerships.
Our partnerships include:
LEAF – Linking Environment and Farming
TGA – Tomato Growers Association
CHA – Commercial Horticulture Association
OMRI – Organic Materials Review Institute
CGA – Cucumber Growers Association
IBO – International Blueberry Organization
Ultimately, Botanicour wants to have a positive impact on the people and the environment it serves, and sustainability is incorporated into every decision we make as a business.
