Environmental Enhancement

Environmental Enhancement

Helping make the world a better place

“to help people of all ages express themselves on their own piece of the Earth.”

that statement is the vision of scottsmiracleGro, and in many respects speaks volumes about its industry-leading consumer products and environmental stewardship.

“Just like our consumers, we are gardeners too, and we have a responsibility to those who put their trust in us and our products,” says mark slavens, vice President of lawns and Environmental affairs at scottsmiracleGro. “Consumers want products and solutions they not only can depend upon for efficacy, but also work in concert with the environment. that’s why we strive to make it easier for them to act in a way that is consistent with their own environmental beliefs.”

this environmental mindset comes to life in many ways, from the ingredients found in scottsmiracle-Gro products to the company’s recycling initiatives to the scotts miracle-Gro Foundation’s financial support of nonprofits committed to protecting the Everglades, Great lakes and other waterways.

products in Harmony with the environment

“We strive to ensure that our products are manufactured and used in a way that minimize the potential for an adverse impact on the environment,” slavens says, noting that the company’s innovation—backed by its industry-leading research and development teams—has had a positive environmental impact, especially in areas related to the conservation of water and fostering of clean water resources. For instance, the company has removed phosphorus from its lawn fertilizers, a move that reduced consumer use of phosphorus by 10,000 tons per year, and now uses more slow-release nitrogen than ever in its fertilizers. it also has redesigned spreaders and application devices to help prevent overuse and overspray of materials. the company has even led the way in the development of new grass seeds that require less water. this year, it launched a new line of sensors and precision irrigation systems that allow for more efficient use of water for lawns and gardens.

some other product examples worth noting: • announced plans to cease using neonicotinoids in its garden control products. • improved packaging and application devices for pre-mixed, ready-to-use formulas, reducing the potential for accidental spills and overuse.

2000 The Marysville headquarters building is rededicated to Miracle-Gro’s founder, Horace Hagedorn. 2005 The Scotts Company is renamed The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company to reflect the might of its two leading brands.

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An environmental Approach to operations

scottsmiracle-Gro operates more than 40 manufacturing plants across the u.s. and Canada, ranging from the processing of peat to manufacturing of soils, mulch, grass seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Each year, the company recycles more than 5 billion pounds of “green waste” material back into its products.

“We give composted waste from forestry, farming, food processing and residential landscaping new life in our soils and mulch,” slavens says. “this keeps the valuable nutrients from these sources from being wasted in a landfill.”

scottsmiracle-Gro also recycles nearly 50 percent of the waste it generates. Compost and recycling bins, for example, are common throughout the marysville offices.

beyond operations and manufacturing, scottsmiracle-Gro has become more environmentally focused with its consumer packaging. It currently is using recycled and renewable content in product packaging where possible.

Community outreach through The scotts Miracle-gro Foundation

Among the philanthropic activities of the scotts miracle-Gro Foundation is a focus on the environment, in particular financial support for initiatives or nonprofit groups dedicated to clean water. In 2017, the foundation joined with the Everglades Foundation to become the presenting sponsor of the George barley Water Prize, which offers a $10 million award to the team of scientists that achieves a cost-effective way to remove phosphorus from fresh water. Phosphorus is considered a primary culprit in the spread of harmful algal blooms. the prize—the largest contest for a water-based environmental project—will be awarded in 2020.

While the prize will focus on the algal problem in the Everglades, the resulting scientific work is expected to have far-reaching impacts that can help other waterways facing algal challenges, including the Great lakes. to help illuminate the breadth of this issue and urge others to action, the scotts miracle-Gro Foundation is working with National Geographic photographer Andy mann, who is documenting algae blooms on major waterways to showcase the need for phosphorus removal.

the foundation also works with nearly 20 other environmental groups—including Restore America’s Estuaries, a nonprofit conservation organization with member groups operating in 16 states; the Alliance for Water Efficiency, a north American advocate for water-efficient products and programs; and the Alliance for the Great lakes, which engages in volunteerism, education and research to ensure that the lakes’ health is a priority for policymakers— to support their missions.

“our support of environmental groups that are focused on water quality and conservation issues is a fundamental pillar of what we do,” says Jim King, President of the scotts miracle-Gro Foundation. “the programs we support are laser-focused on protecting critical water bodies throughout the united states, which helps maintain a healthy planet for all of us.” m

2006 Miracle-Gro Liquafeed becomes the company’s most successful launch ever. 2010 EZ Seed beats the Liquafeed launch record, garnering $87.8 million in its first year.