Grow Green
Lots of businesses talk about what they're doing to help the environment, but we believe in doing, not just talking. Here's what we've done and will continue to do to help our environment and planet:
1. In the past two years, we've torn all of the 24 year old fiberglass off of both the greenhouses and retail areas in two phases, and replaced it with new, double and triple walled polycarbonate sheeting. This eliminates any possible chemical hazards associated with fiberglass and decreases our demand for energy in the winter months. Once Phase I of the project was completed in the fall of 2006, we decreased our demand for gas by 45%. Phase II was completed in November 2007 and we expect the useage to decrease again this year. Plans include continuing to replace smaller, older sections as time permits.
2. Installed a new, state of the art, energy efficient heating system that will also decrease our demand for energy, thereby conserving fuel. The new system is approximately 90% efficient.
3. Continue to recycle all pots, baskets, flats and other plastics both that we use, and that others bring back to us. By recycling we can extend the life of a pot or flat by about 3-4 years.
4. Recycle soda cans and other recyclables throughout the garden center.
5. Although we are not certified as a commercial organic grower, we do not now, nor have we ever used sprays or chemicals on our edible plants. This includes vegetables and herbs. The chemicals that we do use are low impact. We use no RUP's- restricted use pesticides.
6. Replaced lights, especially many of the lights in our Christmas shop with LED lights which use up to 80-90% less energy.
Winner of Empire Electric Association and The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce's 2007 Energy Efficiency Award.
