Environmental Policy
Thompson & Morgan is committed to leading the wider industry in minimising the impact of its activities on the environment.
The key points of its strategy to achieve this are:
Minimising waste by evaluating operations and ensuring they are as efficient as possible.
Minimising emissions and carbon impact through the selection and use of its fleet and the source of its power requirement.
Actively promote recycling internally across all processes of the business and amongst its customers and suppliers.
Operating and maintaining company vehicles with due regard to environmental issues as far as reasonably practical and encourage the use of alternative means of transport and car sharing as appropriate.
Sourcing a product range to minimise the environmental impact of both production and distribution.
Meeting or exceeding all the environmental legislation that relates to the company.
Applying the principles of continuous improvement in respect of air, water, noise and light pollution from our premises and reduce any impacts from our operations on the environment and local community.
Assessing the environmental impact of any new processes or products we intend to introduce in advance.
Encourage the adoption of similar principles by its suppliers.
For any issues related to this policy please contact:
Environmental Officer
Thompson & Morgan
Poplar Lane
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP8 3BU
T&M Peat Policy
Peatlands are rich in wildlife, provide the world's largest carbon store and perform a crucial role in water management. However, peat extraction for the horticultural industry is seriously threatening these valuable habitats.
We share our customer's concern about the damage which peat extraction does to our natural environment, and we are fully committed to reducing peat use and becoming 100% peat free.
In line with UK government legislation, we will be withdrawing all bagged peat-based composts from sale ahead of the 2024 deadline, and already have a wide range of peat-free growing media on offer to our customers. We do not offer any pure peat composts. Where we continue to offer peat-based composts these are all reduced peat blends.
Compost trials and our suppliers
Following extensive trials of different peat-free mixes, all our own potted plant production is now carried out using peat-free blends, and we are working with growers in the supply chain to source plants grown in peat-free growing media ahead of the changes. We are already making big moves in this area; in recent years we have worked closely with our growing partners to remove peat from all our value and garden-ready flower plug plants where the volume of our sales are concentrated. In 2022, 95% of the compost used to grow our plants was peat-free and we're talking to our partners to remove that final 5% as soon as possible.
Peat-free Vegetable Plants
We have selected a peat-free grower as our chief vegetable supplier, so the majority of our vegetable plants are now grown completely peat-free.
Peat-free Composts
We are committed to stocking a wide range of peat-free composts at competitive prices and we currently offer composts based on wool, coir, vegetable waste and biochar which are all 100% peat-free. We also stock peat-free ericaceous composts and peat-free soil conditioners and mulches.
We do not offer any pure peat composts. Where we continue to offer peat-based composts these are all reduced peat blends.
Genetically Modified Seeds
T&M only work with breeder partners and suppliers that follow classical breeding methods. We work to current government legislation that prevents importing or producing seeds that contain unauthorised GMOs. As such, we only source and supply 'conventional seed' - that is, seed produced to relevant certification standards where appropriate, that is destined for sowing, and has not been genetically modified.
A Planet Mark Certified Business
T&M achieved the Planet Mark Business Certification in spring 2024, furthering our commitment to reduce our impact on society. This is an incredible achievement involving the entire business.
Planet Mark Business Certification is an internationally recognised sustainability certification and in order to achieve it we've followed a robust three-step process: measuring our impact, engaging everyone in the business and communicating our progress. We have measured our own carbon footprint and will continue to take responsibility of our carbon emissions to have a positive impact on planet and society. We are also contributing to the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) as we believe that it's important, more than ever, to do more good and create a sustainable future.
Our entire business has contributed to our achievement in becoming Planet Mark certified, and every individual will continue to play an important role in our sustainability commitment.
