Gardenwise is a product stewardship programme which is being developed for the nursery and garden industry by 3R Group for householders and commercial suppliers.

The primary focus of Gardenwise is to develop a sustainable and practical recovery programme that will divert the large volumes of plastic currently being sent to landfill to recycling.  This will benefit all New Zealand gardeners and the garden and nursery industry itself.

Plastic has been identified as the biggest solid waste problem for the industry. This problem affects both growers and consumers, who are all faced with the problem of disposing of items such as planter pots, seed trays, ground films, mulch bags and the like.

The problem for the industry is substantial and consumer attitudes to environmental issues have shifted dramatically in recent times.  Gardenwise will eventually provide recycling solutions for all these problematic plastics.

Gardenwise is currently in a development phase; a pilot programme involving a cross section of industry members from growers through to retailers and consumers in several locations throughout New Zealand has been completed with excellent results. 

If you wish to receive an update on the project, are a member of the industry or a retail outlet and wish to be involved, please contact us and we will be in touch!

The Gardenwise solution will be available in late 2010 early 2011.