10 minute read
Technical
Peaty Blinders: The debate surrounding industry use of peat
Widespread scrutiny of plastic consumption has gathered pace in a relatively short period of time and challenged the landscape and horticulture industries to respond with solutions. At the very least, manufacturers have released products made either from alternative materials entirely or increased their use of recycled materials. Similarly, a whole new supply chain has emerged to aid the collection of waste plastics and to ensure reuse. Sadly, despite awareness and action from stakeholders, all the efforts made and announced so far to cut plastic waste, by governments and companies, will only reduce the overall volume of plastic in oceans by approximately 7% by 2040.
An industry challenge
Use of peat is arguably a subject closer to the heart of the landscape and horticulture industry than plastic, and concern over the damage peat extraction causes to the environment has been widely reported since the 1970s. Can the industry take ownership of this challenge and implement changes which result in meaningful change any faster than with plastic? In 2011 UK government set voluntary targets on peat use, aiming for a peat-free amateur sector by 2020 and peat-free professional sector by 2030. In response to the voluntary targets, manufacturers and retailers developed industry-led initiatives which resulted in notable progress; between 2011 and 2019 there was a 25% decrease in the volume of peat sold. Unfortunately, the volume of peat sold rose by 9% in 2020 due to unprecedented demand for products containing peat, driven by a renewed interest in gardening during lockdown. In light of the failure to meet the voluntary deadlines, at the end of 2021 Defra launched a consultation and invited feedback from stakeholders on a proposal to ban the retail sale of peat and peat containing products in horticulture in England and Wales by 2024, and by 2028 in the professional horticulture sector. This would apply to domestic and imported peat. As part of the consultation, Defra advised that they may also consider other measures: • Introducing point of sale measures for bagged growing media (a pointof-sale charge for the purchase of any growing media bag containing peat; and mandatory labelling and point of sale material containing detail of the environmental reasons for eschewing products containing peat) • Mandatory reporting of the volume of peat sold for all sellers of peat and peat containing products
A united view?
Readers of industry publications, or users of Twitter during the past six months, will have noted a stark contrast in opinion amongst stakeholders in relation to peat extraction and consumption. The various industries that manufacturer, supply, specify or consume peat are not united in their approach to future peat use. Peat has been adopted by the horticulture industry for reasons of low cost and high performance; any deviation from peat is likely to incur penalties in one of these areas, which the industry – and therefore its consumers - must adapt to. Rather like the ongoing dilemma with plastic alternatives, identifying, manufacturing, and supplying an alternative to peat is not simple for manufacturers. One of the most pressing concerns for manufacturers of growing media is where to source the two million cubic metres of alternative material required to satisfy future demand. While alternatives are available to meet the current demand for peat alternatives, manufacturers are unlikely to upscale supplies of product without access to additional raw materials. Many manufacturers and suppliers have called on the government to support this deficit by reclassifying waste categories and by-products from other industries to aid re-use by manufacturers of growing media. There is unlikely to be a perfect replacement for peat; scrutiny of some of the current best alternatives (coir, green compost, wood fibre and bark) reveals aspects of their sources, supply chain or associated processing methods that have an environmental or social impact. Ill thought-out solutions have the potential to cause greater environmental damage or have social consequences elsewhere, which means sourcing and development of alternative constituent materials is key. As those who have already used alternatives to peat-based compost will testify; peat-based and peatfree composts are entirely different products and cannot be compared. The expectations of consumers must therefore be managed to ensure that they use replacement products with realistic criteria. Ideally, the industry will settle on a pragmatic compromise which balances environmental impact with the social effects of sourcing and manufacturing. Given the polarised views expressed by industry stakeholders during the last few months and concerns highlighted by manufacturers in relation to sourcing replacement materials, the solution has the potential to be as elusive as the plastic issue.
Owen Baker - Technical Officer (Policy & Research)
‘Buddha’s Garden’ - Rosemary Coldstream MBALI Photo by Richard Bloom.
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To become an Accredited Designer (MBALI) there are a set number of requirements which need to be met. This will come as no surprise to anyone who is in a position to apply; after all, the aim of becoming an Accredited member is to enjoy the many benefits and stamp of quality that this brings. There’s a certain expectation which needs to be fulfilled to become a member and rightly so!
Each business assessed needs to show knowledge and skills for the work required of them. Professionalism, coupled with creativity makes for an exciting outcome for contractor and client alike.
Part of the assessment is to submit three individual projects which differ as much as possible. If a business is already a registered member of the Society of Garden Designers or the Landscape Institute, only two projects need to be put forward.
Further pieces of design work can be offered for consideration, and all work presented must be the applicant’s own work.
External vetting then takes place, and that’s where our expert panel comes in.
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Being an Accredited Designer means being a part of something bigger than your own business. It also makes a difference to any potential clients. It’s that extra confidence; a gold standard, seal of approval, the Designer Assessment Panel can provide.
Membership gives your future customers reassurance for the success of their project. If you have passed the panel’s strict vetting procedure, it’s a valid endorsement you can provide a service, on time and within budget.
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James Scott Elaine Rutherford Matt Nokes
Rosemary Coldstream Chris Eves Paul Bentley
Introducing the Designer Assessment Panel
James Scott MBALI MSGD. James feels in his design work, he’s seeking to recreate that sense of adventure and joy he felt as a boy, spending time outdoors. Following studies at Merrist Wood College and a spell working in North London, James founded The Garden Company in 1991, a multiple award-winning design-and-build business based in Hertfordshire. The company’s ethos is to create bespoke, handcrafted spaces that people love. James and his team create places of enduring value through expert design and landscaping. James designs with ‘buildability’ in mind, ensuring that clients’ dreams translate into a practical reality. As well as building to their own designs, they also provide landscaping services to other designers.
Rosemary Coldstream MBALI
MSGD is a multi-award-winning garden designer. Her dynamic design practice transforms a wide range of residential and commercial spaces, from rooftop gardens and city courtyards to large country estates. Rosemary brings a personalised, client-focused approach to her practice, combining this with flair, imagination and experience to create gardens of personality and distinction. Attention to detail in all aspects of the design ensure the gardens are built to perfection. Helping clients to realise their dreams gives Rosemary and her team immense pride and satisfaction. Rosemary is a designer director on the board of BALI and regularly writes and lectures on garden design. Elaine Rutherford MBALI MSGD. Elaine got the bug in her first summer holiday job as assistant gardener in the grounds of a stately home in Wales. She went on to study Horticulture and Landscape Design at Writtle College and a Diploma in Management Studies. Her early career was spent in local government, writing contracts and managing the planting and maintenance of public parks and gardens. She created attractive green spaces using a limited selection of robust, vandal resistant plants with minimum maintenance requirements. For the last 20 years she has been creating for private domestic clients in Cheshire. Chris Eves MBALI, MSGD is a garden designer working in the North East. After completing his Fine Art degree he began a landscaping company. After gaining experience and horticultural qualifications he turned the business into Eves & Lewis Landscape Design, specialising in garden design. Chris works for both private and commercial clients, producing CAD plans and 3D models. The variety of landscape in the north-east provides inspiration for designs which utilise traditional materials in a modern way. Chris works with a site’s existing conditions to create sustainable gardens that encourage wildlife and enhance the local environment. Matt Nokes MBALI. Matt is a chartered Landscape Architect and head of Ground Control’s consultancy practice; a multi-disciplinary team providing Landscape Architecture, Ecology, Arboriculturally Consultancy, and GIS & Mapping services throughout the UK. With over 20 years’ experience within the industry, Matt is a creative individual with a deep-rooted passion for the environment and great design. He leads teams to deliver services to the highest standards. Matt is an award-winning designer, working across all industry sectors. He has a keen interest and specialism in commercial Design & Build. Paul Bentley MBALI MSGD. Paul has close to 40 years’ experience in the landscape industry and is an expert in landscape design and construction. As well as exceptional workmanship and design skill, Paul is a highly experienced project manager and frequently coordinates specialist multi-disciplinary teams for both residential and commercial projects. Paul is committed to provide a first-class professional service to his clients. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and is head designer and director at The Landscape Gardener, based in the South West.
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