Growing with Purpose
Sustainability isn't a trend for us — it's been planned into every growing and packaging decision since day one.
Cultivating Excellence:
Southern Plants' Sustainability Recognition
At Southern Plants, our commitment to sustainability isn't just a promise — it's a practice that's earning us recognition across the green life industry. Here are our recent achievements, which highlight our dedication to environmental stewardship and innovative sustainable practices.
APCO Sustainable Packaging Award 2024
We're honoured to have received the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) Sustainable Packaging Award in the Agriculture and Nurseries SME category. This prestigious recognition celebrates our innovative approach to packaging design and our significant strides towards a circular economy.
Our award-winning packaging innovation:
- Pots made from 95% Australian recycled PP5 plastic
- 5% grey colour additive for enhanced recyclability
- Labels made from recycled plastic
- Ultrasonic welding powered by solar energy
- Complete recyclability of the entire pot and label unit
"What we're trying to do is what's right not just for our packaging, but for the environment and for future generations. It's part of our commitment to the natural environment and sustainable practice."
— Mark Jackson, Managing Director
NGIV Environmental Stewardship Award 2024
Earlier in 2024, we were recognised by the Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) for our excellence in sustainability within the horticulture industry. This award acknowledges our comprehensive approach to environmental responsibility.
Key initiatives recognised:
- Utilisation of solar electricity
- Adoption of electric vehicles
- Implementation of recycled water systems
- Reduction in chemical usage
- Ongoing evaluation and improvement of workplace practices
These awards are not endpoints — they're milestones in building a greener future.
Southern Plants' Commitment to Sustainability
At Southern Plants, sustainability is not just a buzzword — it is at the core of everything we do. As a company that specialises in growing plants, we understand the importance of caring for our environment and preserving it for future generations. That is why we have made a commitment to sustainability in every aspect of our business.
One of the ways we are reducing our carbon footprint is through our investment in solar production. By harnessing the power of the sun, we generate approximately 35% of the electricity used in our operations from our own solar production, reducing our reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
But our commitment to sustainability doesn't stop there. We have also taken steps to ensure that our products are as eco-friendly as possible. Our pots and labels are made from 100% recycled plastic, which not only reduces waste but also helps to conserve natural resources. And when our customers are finished with our products, they can rest assured that they are recyclable, allowing for a closed-loop recycling process.
We believe that sustainability is not just about being environmentally responsible — it also includes social and economic considerations. That is why we are committed to fair labour practices, ensuring that our employees are treated with respect and paid fair wages. We also support local communities by sourcing our materials from local suppliers whenever possible.
At Southern Plants, we are constantly striving to find new ways to improve our sustainability practices. Our goal is to not only provide high-quality plants to our customers but to do so in a way that is sustainable and responsible.
Our Sustainability Initiatives
From the water we conserve to the plastic we recycle, every decision at our nursery is made with the environment in mind.
Sustainable Water Management
- Our nursery was designed from the beginning with water conservation in mind — all runoff from the property is captured in a dam
- 75% of the water used is recaptured and re-used
- We use Class C recycled water from the South Eastern Treatment Plant (Cape Schanck), allowing us to top-up our dam without using precious potable water
- Last year 90% of water used was recycled
Sustainable Pest, Weed & Insect Management
- Remove off-site infected plants when a risky pest or invasive weed is detected
- Sap spot sprays with low toxicity only when necessary
- Using resistant or tolerant plant varieties to troublesome diseases
Sustainable Vegetation Management
- Wind breaks to protect crops and reduce water usage
- Retaining vegetation corridors across the property
- Buffer zones between cropping areas and adjacent waterways to limit off-site impact
- Trees on the property draw water from the subsoil, protecting arable land from rising water tables and increased salinity
Social and Economic Sustainability
- Fair labour practices — providing a safe, equitable and healthy work environment
- High standards in safety and training with all staff issued a policy and safety handbook and ongoing training
- Supporting local community and giving preference to local businesses
- We give preference to suppliers that also support sustainability
Recycling
- Our potting mix is made of 85% composted pine bark — a recycled by-product from renewable timber production
- The majority of our pots and labels are made of recycled plastic, and they are recyclable
- All our discarded pots are recycled
- We believe plastic is a sustainable option since it can be recycled over and over again
- Pots and labels don't need to go to landfill — they are 100% recyclable
PP5 Plastic Recycling
- Our pots and labels are made of PP5 plastic, which can be easily recycled and reused indefinitely
- Find out more about PP5 closed-loop recycling
- Find a Pot Bin Location near you
Our Commitment to Sustainable Packaging
At Southern Plants™, we are deeply committed to integrating sustainable packaging practices into every aspect of our operations. Our unwavering dedication to sustainable packaging is not just a statement but a tangible commitment reflected in our APCO action plan.
We are members of APCO, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation — dedicated to driving sustainable packaging practices and environmental responsibility in Australia.
Our action plan serves as a blueprint that outlines our proactive approach to sustainability across various criteria defined by the Packaging Sustainability Framework. It encapsulates our organisation's relentless pursuit of sustainable packaging solutions and our pledge to uphold the highest environmental standards.
- 1 Governance & Strategy — Integrate packaging sustainability into business strategy and communicate objectives to all stakeholders
- 2 Design & Procurement — Use Sustainable Packaging Guidelines to review and improve all packaging
- 3 Recycled Content — Increase recycled materials across primary, secondary and tertiary packaging
- 4 Recoverability — Improve end-of-life recovery and increase use of reusable packaging
- 5 Disposal Labelling — Add on-pack recycling information as packaging is updated
- 6 On-site Waste — Collect and recycle all used packaging generated at our facilities
- 7 Problematic Materials — Phase out single-use plastics and conduct regular on-site clean-ups
Southern Plants achieved the highest APCO performance level — Beyond Best Practice — in the 2024 Annual Report, covering the reporting period July 2022 – June 2023.
Better Plants. Better Planet.
Explore our plants or get in touch with our trade team to learn more about our approach to a greener future.