Jiffy Growing Solutions announces that all new orders of its Growbag are produced using 40% recycled plastic from March 1 onward. The company's aim is to reduce its reliance on virgin plastics and addressing environmental concerns within the horticultural sector.
"We started with an initial 20% recycled plastic component in the bags, and following its success, we are now moving to 40%," says Arjan van Leest, Product Manager Growbags at Jiffy. "This shift aligns with sustainability goals, the increasing global focus on reducing virgin plastics, and new taxation policies affecting plastic use."
A strategy behind being sustainable
Richard Stevenson, Sustainability Manager at Jiffy, elaborates on their environmental strategy. "My responsibility is to guide the strategy for sustainability," he explains. "Right now, we're also incorporating social sustainability into our approach, ensuring we make a broader impact across our operations."
The transition to using more recycled plastic in Jiffy's Growbags is a result of long-term sustainability efforts. "We work closely with facilities in different locations all the time to find solutions and implement our overall strategy," he adds.
Production and supply chain considerations
Wasanthi Nagasena, Manager Supply Chain at Jiffy Sri Lanka, oversees the procurement and sourcing of materials for Growbag production. "We are the manufacturing location for this particular product," she explains. "Ensuring a stable supply chain and maintaining the quality of the materials we use is essential as we introduce more sustainable components."
Arjan acknowledges the complexities involved in sourcing recycled plastic but remains optimistic. "The plastic covering our product is supplied by third parties," he says. "By integrating recycled plastic, we're ensuring that our Growbags continue to meet high-quality standards while being more environmentally responsible."
Organic substrates and disease resistance
Beyond sustainable plastic use, Jiffy has long been an advocate of organic substrates, particularly as an alternative to inorganic growing media such as stonewool. "We've seen positive impacts when growers shift to organic media," Arjan says. "While I won't claim that root issues and fusarium problems in peppers and other crops are directly linked to stonewool, organic media tend to provide more resilient growth."
He emphasizes that organic substrates create a naturally balanced environment, helping plants withstand disease pressure. "Organic media are more forgiving," he notes. "They provide a stable and natural growing environment, which can make a significant difference in crop health."
Jiffy's involvement in organic growing media dates back to the 1990s. "We introduced coir into our pellets in the mid-90s, experiencing all the challenges of quality variation," he recalls. "Eventually, the only way to guarantee quality was to take control of the raw materials ourselves, leading to the establishment of our own operations in 2004."
Moving towards full biodegradability in the future
"The dream is to have a 100% biodegradable Growbag in a few years," Arjan mentions. "It already exists, but the high cost remains a challenge. However, as market demand evolves, we will continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable innovation."
A key question in the industry is how to manage growing media after use. Arjan explains that coir-based substrates, such as those used in Jiffy's Growbags, offer high stability, making reuse a possibility. "Coir is 100% stable and can be reused after the first season," he says. "However, whether it remains clean enough to be used for the same crop depends on hygiene and disease control measures."
He highlights the importance of quality assurance in Jiffy's production process. "We deliver material that is RHP certified and our Sri-Lankan operations are ISO 22,000 certified, ensuring absolute safety at the point of delivery," he states. "However, once growers start using it, factors like disease control come into play, which is beyond our control."
Despite the potential for reuse, the high-tech greenhouse industry remains cautious. "Growers in this sector often avoid reusing substrates due to the risk of virus infections," he acknowledges. "But the stability of coir means that, under the right conditions, it can continue to support plant growth effectively."
For more information:
Jiffy Products International
Tel.: +31(0)78 2062200
sales@jiffygroup.com
www.jiffygroup.com