Local Greenhouse Leads Innovations in Sustainability
OBERLIN, Ohio (PRWEB) June 07, 2018 -- From automation to rainwater collection to recycling, Green Circle Growers in Oberlin, Ohio strives to lead the greenhouse industry in sustainable initiatives that reduce their operational impact on the planet.
One of the largest greenhouse operations in the United States, Green Circle Growers is a family-owned company located in Oberlin, OH. Established in 1968, the company is continuously developing and currently operates over 100 acres of indoor growing space and 35 acres of outdoor growing space. Green Circle Growers grows and distributes plants under two brand names, Just Add Ice® and Wild Interiors®. The company also grows bedding plants and seasonal plants like poinsettias, mums, Easter lilies, primrose, and hydrangeas. Primarily serving mass retailers, Green Circle's customers are located throughout the United States and Canada.
In addition to automated processes that help reduce repetitive and physically demanding task strain, Green Circle Growers incorporates rainwater retention ponds, wood boilers, and plastic recycling initiatives into its everyday operations. Green Circle Growers has an MPS-ABC certificate, achieving a global benchmark in environmentally friendly operations.
The water supply at Green Circle is 100% self-contained and sustainable. After rainwater is collected and distributed for watering plants, it’s returned back to holding tanks where it can be filtered and reused. The retention ponds collect about 1.5 million gallons for every one inch of rainfall.
The greenhouses also use high-efficiency energy curtains to retain heat, reducing energy consumption by 50% since switching to these curtains throughout the facility.
To help preserve the population of bees and other pollinators, Green Circle Growers does not use preventive neonic pesticides. Additionally, Green Circle uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which introduces spiders and frogs in the growing space to control pests. This has allowed for significant reduction in chemical usage, which further promotes the presence of biological controls from the natural environment.
Wood boilers eliminate Green Circle’s dependency on natural gas and have reduced emissions by 90% since their installation. Powered by recycled wood from area tree services and pallet recyclers, the boiler system exceeds EPA standards by 95%.
Green Circle Growers has also reduced plastic consumption by 35% by switching to vacuum formed pots over injection molded pots and recycles 100% of injection molded plug trays used within the greenhouses. About 1.5 million plug trays are re-used annually, which equates to a 1 million pound reduction in landfill waste. Green Circle’s corrugated cardboard recycling efforts have saved approximately 12 acres of trees since being implemented.
The newest brand offering from Green Circle Growers, Wild Interiors®, incorporates natural elements such as clay and wood, to bring the outdoors in and strike a balance between art, design, and nature. With four curated plant collections plus an upcoming signature collection, the brand also offers accessories like a hemp Macrame Plant Hanger and a premium wooden plant stand.
To celebrate World Environment Day, Wild Interiors® is hosting a giveaway on their Instagram page daily from 6/5/18 to 6/16/18. Winners will receive an environmentally-friendly prize pack including a canvas tote bag, stainless steel water bottle, and stainless steel straw kit. Find @wild_interiors on Instagram to enter.
Hayden S Grover, Green Circle Growers, 6073510183, [email protected]
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