The Millbrook Sustainable Products Plan focuses on 4 areas in which we aim to do better.

Growing Media

• We no longer sell peat in bagged products ahead of Government target of end of 2024 (excludes carnivorous plant compost).
• GROW growing media training in place for all staff repeated on an annual basis, plus blogs, signage and social media promotion of how to garden successfully using peat-free products.
• Liaising with suppliers to encourage and monitor peat reduction and prioritising purchasing and promotion of plants grown in peat-free compost. Plus, monthly Planet Positive emails highlight our Planet Positive suppliers.
• Millbrook Designer Pots are peat free.
• Millbrook is an accredited member of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme.
• No plants grown in peat-based compost by 2028.
   

Pests, disease and weed management

• We have removed all synthetic pesticides from sale and stopped the use of any synthetic pesticides in our centres. 
• Source alternative ‘organic’ natural or barrier methods to protect plants. Highlight and promote these planet positive products to customers. Each monthly Planet Positive email features 3 products that encourage greener gardening and alternatives to the harmful pesticides we no longer sell. Our green bee icon also signifies greener gardening products. Plus, we have installed the Millbrook Eco House at both centres highlighting all the areas in which customers can be greener.

Waste, including plastics

• Zero waste to landfill by 2025.
• Sustainability forum to assess and monitor goals. Quarterly meetings held.
• Phase out single use plastics by 2024. We no longer sell artificial grass. Looking for gardening alternatives for plant tags and weedstop fabrics.
• Give away coffee grinds to customers for home composting. Available in The Mill and greencafe with educational signage.
• Aim for plastic products /packaging to be made of recycled material & fully / readily recyclable
• Look at waste contracts to ensure maximum recycling.
  Waste contractors report on our waste so we can see how we are doing. From February to November 2022 we recycled or composted 73% of all waste produced and hope to do better in 2023!

Products

• Source local or UK made products where possible as alternatives to core range. Plan layouts to promote and highlight these products. See our sustainable products plan for further information.