A new video about Van Lier Nurseries in Auckland, funded by EECA as part of its sponsorship of the NZPPI Sustainable Futures Award 2024, highlights the innovative sustainability practices of award-winner Van Lier Nurseries in West Auckland.
The video, available to watch on the NZPPI Youtube channel, tells the story of the nursery's transition from a gas-fired boiler to a state-of-the-art CO2 heat pump system.
The nursery's commitment to sustainability was sparked in 2018 by a trip to Langkawi Island. Owners Harry and Marisa Van Lier were dismayed by the amount of rubbish on the beaches and returned home determined to reduce their business's environmental impact. They began by replacing plastic packaging for their cut flowers with compostable paper sleeves.
A significant challenge arose in 2021 when their natural gas supplier informed them that their contract would not be renewed. With heating essential for year-round flower production, particularly they explored several options and ultimately decided to invest in a CO2 heat pump system, becoming the first in New Zealand and Australasia to adopt this technology.
The system was installed in August 2023 and includes a 1MW low-emission heat pump and a 400 m3 hot water storage tank, which holds enough heat to run the heat pump at full output for about ten hours. This setup has allowed Van Lier Nurseries to significantly reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs. In 2023, the nursery spent NZ $470,000 on natural gas, but in 2024, with the new system in operation, this figure dropped to NZ $330,000.
As part of its comprehensive sustainability strategy, the nursery has also installed over seven million liters of rainwater storage capacity and is using cardboard inserts for pot plants instead of plastic packaging.
For more information:
New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated
nzppi.co.nz