Responsible Sourcing Scheme
The UK horticultural industry actively seeks to improve its sustainability credentials and the Responsible Sourcing Scheme has been designed to examine the way each material that goes into a bag of compost are sourced and produced.
RocketGro are delighted to be an accredited member of this scheme.
Manufacturers are now able to understand the impact that each material, like peat, coir or bark, has on the environment so that when they are creating a new formulation they can make the right choices.
To achieve a Responsible Sourcing Scheme rating the manufacturer has to be audited independently.
The auditor considers 7 measures. A score is then issued for the material, and when combined with the other materials in the mix an overall rating is awarded.This rating is then published onto the schemes website www.responsiblesourcing.org.uk
RocketGro are due to have our manufacturing process audited in Autumn 2022 and due to our excellent environmental credentials and the fact that we source all ingredients locally in Somerset and are 100% Peat-Free, we are aiming for the top score and an A grade award.
Sourcing materials responsibly is about making deliberate, educated choices, with the end game of creating more sustainable mixes. Businesses can influence change in the sourcing of those materials. RocketGro fully support responsible sourcing and sustainability.
1. Energy Use
This assesses the energy used to create the raw material. Renewable energy, such as solar power will generate a better rating than non-renewable energy, such as coal.
2. Water Use
This refers to how much is used
in the process of creating the raw material. Water is a finite resource, so we need to use it carefully.
3. Social Compliance
This is all about people – making sure the people empolyed to provide the raw materail are working in acceptable conditions, that their health and safety is considered and no child labour or bonded workers are used.
4. Habitat & Biodiversity
We want to make sure that the area where the raw material is produced minimises the impact to wildlife and the creation of biodiverse habitats.
5. Pollution
It is important to minimise the amount of pollution to the environment through the manufacturing process.
6. Resource Use Efficiency
This assesses the amount of waste generated and what efforts are taken to minimise waste. If the raw material can be used as a by-product from other industries then this will gain a better rating.
7. Renewability
This assesses the amount of time it takes to replace the resource used.
