Shaping a responsible future for growers

As our glorious spring slips into summer, lots of us are busy in our gardens.

But what sort of growing products should we be looking at using? If you’ve been a bit confused about which products are more sustainable and which ones have the lightest overall environmental footprint, then a new Responsible Sourcing System (RSS) might well have the answers.

The Responsible Sourcing Scheme (RSS) for growing media is an industry-led scheme that encourages the consumer to make informed decisions about the environmental impact of the growing media products (Multipurpose Compost for example) that they are purchasing and using. Consumers are provided with an easy-to-understand traffic light system, empowering them to easily compare the environmental responsibility rating enabling the consumer to make informed choices. The consumer can, at a glance, know with confidence that a product with a green ‘A’ rating is more responsibly sourced than a yellow ‘C’ rated product.

Why was it created?

The horticultural industry needed to develop and innovate in the wake of the Government's planned proposal for the banning of peat for use in the amateur gardening sector. As peat was to be phased out of growing media products, alternative substrates were to be used and it was vitally important to assess the sustainability of these peat replacements. It would not be as simple as to conclude that alternatives to peat such as coir or bark were sustainable just because they weren’t peat, but to assess each growing media substrate equally against a stringent set of criteria. With over 10 years of development and working in cooperation with key industry stakeholders and DEFRA the Responsible Sourcing Scheme was launched in 2022.

What's the impact?

Since its creation, the RSS has made significant strides in promoting the environmental responsibility of those working with and in the growing media sector. By creating a clear, evidence-based rating system, it has brought much needed transparency to the industry, specifically at a time when there is uncertainty over growing media substrates as the industry is moving away from a reliance on peat. Manufacturers, growers and retailers who join the scheme not only commit to these sustainable practices but also gain the ability to showcase their environmental responsibility by proudly showcasing the RSS logo to both consumers and industry partners.

What next?

The RSS is focused on expanding its reach within the growing media industry and its ultimate impact on the decision-making process of the final consumer. By providing clear and transparent scoring, the consumer has the information required to make a more responsible purchasing decision. This decision will be strengthened by further future changes, especially looking at increasing the depth of some of the scoring criteria. For example, due to the complexity of the data, the energy criteria are scored by measuring the energy used during the production process, and whilst this is a highly effective and accurate measure of the energy impact, the future is to also measure the carbon impact accordingly.

Coupled with the aspired changes noted above, the scheme is also working with its manufacturer members to strengthen the P7 testing criteria. The P7 criteria (which can be found here - https://www.responsiblesourcing.org.uk/key-documents) requires the manufacturer members of the scheme to show evidence that the growing media product they are selling is an effective growing media. The P7 outlines the method, test procedure and crops amongst other details, with the results assessed by the scheme's independent auditor. The effectiveness of growing media products is vital to the consumer, especially at the current time when new growing media substrates are being used in a combination of ways as a replacement for peat. It is vitally important to the consumer that the product is not only environmentally sustainable but also works. After all, a happy and well-informed consumer, able to successfully grow their chosen plants or flowers is great for the industry as a whole.

Who are the current members?

The RSS estimates that 90% by material volume of growing media manufacturers are part of the scheme. Coupled with a solid base of grower and retailer members will allow for the framework for successful growth in the future. A list of current RSS members can be found on the RSS website, with additional members due to be added during 2025. Keep up to date at www.responsiblesourcing.org.uk.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]