‘Let's cut the waste sent to landfill and actively reuse and recycle’

What does this target mean?

‘This target takes in the whole circle of all the products and services we use from how they are made in the first instance right through to how we dispose of them afterwards. Understanding how our resources are generated, from office stationery through to garden machinery, and using them efficiently, will help us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and therefore be a positive weapon to help us reverse the climate crisis. With this knowledge, we can encourage and help gardeners, schools, businesses and communities to do the same.’
 

What is the RHS already doing to meet this target?

Plant-based waste that is suitable for composting, such as dead leaves, clippings from pruning or grass mowing and discarded annuals. Many local councils have green waste recycling schemes if home composting isn't an option.

green waste

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

mulch

Composting is the process by which plant material is heaped together to rot (decompose) to produce compost. Garden or kitchen waste can be broken down over time in a compost bin or heap to produce crumbly organic matter that can be used as a mulch, soil conditioner and a constituent of potting compost.

composting

Some key actions we are encouraging gardeners to take include reusing household materials and seasonal items and if that’s not an option then consider recycling them through boot sales and reclamation sites so they can continue to be useful in someone else’s gardens.

‘Repairing and maintaining garden tools to increase their longevity will not only save you money as you don’t have to buy something new, but also prevent more items going to the landfill.’

What will the RHS do next to meet this target?

‘By shifting our waste management contracts to better practice, we have met our initial target of achieving zero waste to landfill by 2030.  Rather than rest on our laurels our attention now is on looking at the products and services we use across the society and working to ‘design out’ waste in the first instance by reducing, reusing, recycling, repairing where we can.’

Why should gardeners care about this?

‘There are now more than 30 million people in the UK actively gardening. Together all of their small actions take on a much larger significance and even a small amount of waste saving can have a powerful impact. The good thing about considering waste is that everyone can do it in their own home. You don’t have to go anywhere or buy anything extra, and it’s not complicated. But it can be a game-changer for the planet, its climate, its wildlife and human health.’