Ensuring efficient, effective and sustainable working practices is of paramount importance for the landscape team at Agrovista Amenity. In our latest blog, Ed Smith discusses some of the recent steps him and his team have taken to support this objective for not only themselves, but customers too.
Ed Smith, Landscape Team Manager for Agrovista Amenity
“By trade, landscapers should take responsibility in ensuring that we manage our environment in the most sustainable way possible. Although this isn’t a new thing for Agrovista, we hope to continue to set a good example for all our customers and provide them with the tools they need to achieve their environmental objectives.
The colder, quieter months are a great opportunity to reflect on topics such as CO2 emissions, tree planting, wildlife habitat development and sustainable sourcing. We spend time ensuring our supply chain reflects our ethical and environmental standards and recently launched a new range of biodegradable tree and hedge guards to enhance our credentials in this area.
Contributing to the development and launch of such a product is very fulfilling - it’s about striving to do better for our environment. There will always be a place for recyclable plastic guards, but having a ‘green’ alternative provides not only choice, but facilitates best practice.
A shared vision
This doesn’t just apply to the landscaping and amenity sectors either, it’s hoped that farmers and fruit growers will also have access to this product innovation. Through cross-departmental collaboration we are working to make that happen.
Building wildlife habitats
Another area of our planting work is encouraging wildlife – providing a resource that a range of species can use as habitat, food and for protection. Wildflower seed mixtures attract insects and birds and this can be further supported by the Beepol range of products – beehives and homes to boost pollination. Again, this is a shared message across the wider Agrovista business, particularly in soft fruit.
Reducing the impact of chemical inputs
Where possible, landscapers should always strive to reduce the impact of chemical pesticides and use them in a targeted and environmentally sympathetic way. I’m proud to say alongside our customers, we are taking positive steps to enforce this.
Using tools such as Mankar ULV (ultra low volume) spraying units means that the amount of herbicides used to control weeds in urbanised areas can be reduced considerably. Application through this technology isn’t at the cost of efficacy, because using these units can in fact improve weed control.
It’s important to stress that it isn’t about eradicating pesticides completely, because used correctly, they play an important role in landscape management. It’s about helping people to make informed, sustainable choices and using products in a smarter way.
It's not just for us
Green spaces are enjoyed and appreciated by masses and have been particularly important during the lockdowns. We must ensure we invest in and maintain existing and newly developed areas with greener and sustainable ways of working - that is our passion. If this message can continue to spread beyond the landscaping team then I think we are in a strong position to impart long-term, positive change."