RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
Taking responsibility for our environment
The Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media
Making deliberate decisions for the good of our planet
The Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media has been developed by the Growing Media Association in collaboration with the Horticultural Trades Association, Defra, leading retailers and NGOs. It assesses the impact of each raw material that accounts for more than 5% of the volume of the mix, against seven criteria.
We’re proud to have played a leading role in the creation and development of the scheme and virtually all of our eligible products now carry an audited score.
How it works
Choosing to act in a more environmentally responsible way is about making deliberate and educated decisions. The Responsible Sourcing Scheme scoring system allows consumers to make these choices, with products assessed and rated against the below criteria.
Energy Use
For any ingredients used at greater than 5% in our growing media, (principally bark, wood and coir), we are assessed on the total energy used. In the case of bark and wood this goes right back to forest site preparation and planting and captures all energy used up to the mixing line.
Water Use
This measures the amount of water consumed during the production of raw materials. Since water is a limited resource, it is essential to use it responsibly.
Social Compliance
Ensuring that anyone employed to provide the raw material works in acceptable conditions, with consideration for health and safety standards, and no child or forced labour is used.
Habitat & Biodiversity
This assesses the impact of raw material production on local ecosystems, aiming to minimise harm to wildlife and encourage the creation of biodiverse habitats.
Pollution
This focuses on reducing environmental pollution throughout the production process, ensuring minimal negative impact on air, water and soil.
Resource Use Efficiency
This measures how effectively waste is minimised during production. Materials that are by-products of other industries score higher, as they reduce waste and make efficient use of existing resources.
Renewability
This evaluates how quickly a raw material can regenerate (or whether it’s effectively finite, like peat or certain minerals). Materials that replenish within human timescales such as bark, wood and coir are favoured.
Want to know more?
You can find full details of the scheme, how criteria are assessed and how to become a member of The Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media at responsiblesourcing.org.uk/
Where to buy Melcourt products
We don’t have an online store, preferring to support garden centres, nurseries, professional growers and other valued distributors with premium advice and service that’s second to none. But with hundreds of stockists throughout the UK, you should have no trouble finding our high-quality, peat-free range.