The Old Railway Line Garden Centre Ltd is committed to leading the industry in minimising the impact of its activities on the environment. Take a look at some of our policies and summaries of what we are doing below.
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Awarded Best Garden Centre in the UK in 2018 & 2021 by the GCA
Environment
Some key points we are focusing on:
– Continually evaluating our operations and ensuring they are as efficient as possible to reduce waste and our impact on the environment.
– Reducing our impact through sourcing our product range locally where possible and selecting suppliers with reduced environmental impact. We promote these ranges heavily instore to encourage our customers to shop in the same way.
– Actively promoting recycling carried out on site, reviewing packaging with our suppliers to ensure similar principles are adopted as well as encouraging our visitors to do what they can at home through instore messages and inspiring displays.
– Saving energy, water and fuel where possible. We have over 200 solar panels, 40,000 litres of recycled water storage to use for watering in our plant area, LED lighting throughout, excellent insulation used all round and timers used widely to reduce energy consumption.
– Reducing our miles travelled by consolidating delivery routes where possible and car sharing to off site events.
– All our landscaping is tailored to attract and benefit wildlife and we maintain native hedgerows on site to encourage the nesting of native birds and boost biodiversity.
– We aim to meet or exceed all the environmental legislation that relates to the company.
Rainwater Harvesting
We have 40,000 litres of storage for recycled water! In 2009 we installed a 10,000L rainwater harvesting tank to support our existing 10,000L above ground tank. During our new development in 2011 we installed two additional 10,000L storage tanks. This water will be used to water the plants throughout the year and has reduced our mains water consumption by over 60%.
Solar Panels
We have 210 solar panels on the roof our building! In 2011 we had 210 solar panels installed to the roof of the shop. This sustainable source of energy has greatly contributed towards electricity supply for the garden centre and restaurant. Since installation we have generated over 127,813kW of renewable energy lowering our energy bills and reducing our carbon footprint.
Local Suppliers
We source food from over 60 local and Welsh producers! Our Farm Shop stocks products from producers all over Wales and Herefordshire. We are also very conscious about where our plants are sourced; over 25% of our hardy plants are grown just 25 miles away! And 50% of our bedding plants are grown 40 miles away (close for us rural folk!)
Reusing Packaging
In 2020, we invested in a cardboard shredder enabling us to reuse old cardboard as a sustainable alternative to bubble wrap. We also reuse any cardboard boxes we receive from deliveries to package our online orders.
Waste Recycling
Last year we recycled thousands of glass bottles, pots and printer toner cartridges; 80% of our rubbish is sorted and recycled. We see recycling and waste as one of the most important ways for us to reduce our impact on the environment. It is our responsibility as a business to focus on a sustainable future.