Developing sustainable plants growing solutions together
As the global population and consumption increase, it is ever more critical to reduce the demand for natural resources. We can help by keeping raw materials and products in use for longer. That’s why engaging in the circular economy is an important pillar of Jiffy’s sustainability program.
Developing sustainable plant growing solutions together: that’s our number one goal. At the end of the day, it’s all about building a more sustainable horticulture industry. So read on to discover how to make your greenhouses even ‘greener’!
Working ‘together’ is a key part of our sustainability strategy for the coming years. While we continue to work hard to improve our business from the inside, we also see the importance, and the benefit, of engaging much more freely with outside parties. We want to become a more circular business: To increase the number of uses a product or raw material has before it reaches the end of its life.
Working side by side with our suppliers and customers
We can only achieve this by having closer contact with our suppliers and customers. We will find out more about the supply chain of the materials we bring into our production locations. This will help us to find ways to reduce their environmental impact. At the same time, sustainability will become a key part of the discussion with all Jiffy’s suppliers.
In the short term, we will take action to reduce our own consumption and increase the lifespan of the raw materials we use. Most of our production locations already sort and recycle waste received from suppliers (such as raw material packaging), and any waste created during our production processes. By the end of 2021, all facilities will have fully implemented waste recycling systems.
Promoting recovery, reuse and recycling
We already use recycled plastic for many of the ranges where a plastic tray (e.g. Preforma) is an integral part of the product. This contributes to our goal of increasing the circularity of our products. It also avoids the additional carbon emissions created by virgin plastics. Through closer cooperation with suppliers and key customer groups, we will find ways to further reduce consumption of virgin raw materials.
We aim to increase the usable life of our products through end-of-use recovery, reuse, or recycling. In particular, reuse will become a focal area as we seek closer cooperation with customers and develop more circular products.
Due to the global nature of our business, it is not commercially or environmentally viable to recover end of life products or packaging materials from much of our customer base. However, we will focus on specific local solutions, working closely with key customer groups to reduce or remove packaging, and to support end-of-life reuse or recovery. In all cases, we will improve the information available to support customers’ own local recycling arrangements.
Developing circular systems for the horticulture industry
In the longer term, Jiffy aims to become a major player and contributor to the development of circular horticultural systems with a special focus on food production and waste minimization. These will contribute directly to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable
SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Find out more
Taking part in the circular economy is just one of the ways Jiffy is helping to build a more sustainable horticulture industry. We’re also reducing plastics, investigating more renewable raw materials, and shrinking our CO2 and water footprint. Find out more in the 2021 Jiffy Group Sustainability Report & Five-Year Plan. Download your free copy here. We’re proud of what we’ve already achieved. And we’re striving to do more. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for updates.
