Tag Archive for: Environmental

Reduce your environmental impact with Aspen Fuel

Reduce your environmental impact with Aspen Fuel: It is perhaps no surprise that recent research into the environmental and health impacts of petrol-powered hand tools has highlighted some worrying statistics around emissions and the knock-on negative effects on public health.

However, making additional capital investment or disposing of serviceable equipment can be avoided with the simple switch to Aspen Alkylate Petrol – significantly reducing the impact on the environment and eliminating exposure to hazardous hydrocarbons.

Reduce your environmental impact with Aspen Fuel

Reduce your environmental impact with Aspen Fuel

Amongst the research recently published in the national media, it stated that a leaf-blower can emit up to 11 times more carbon monoxide than a Ford Fiesta and that two-thirds of those surveyed reported health issues, such as breathing problems, during operation. However, solving the problem may be limited by a number of factors, not least by the resources required for the sometimes lengthy and complex procurement process.

Operators looking for a cleaner alternative could consider fuelling their petrol-powered tools with Aspen – an alkylate petrol which is ethanol-free and virtually free from Sulphur, Benzene and many other harmful substances. In contrast to the pollutants emitted by pump-petrol, with Aspen, you can mow for 100 hours before reaching the same level of toxic benzene emissions emitted in one hour of mowing with regular petrol.

Switching to Aspen is easy, and while it cannot reverse damage caused by regular petrol, it will have a cleaning effect on the internal parts – particularly removing soot build-up in the exhaust port. No modifications are required to covert a machine to run on Aspen, only to avoid diluting the benefits, operators are advised to wait until the fuel tank is as empty as possible before switching. For older equipment, switching after a service where any susceptible parts should be replaced, is ideal.

Director of Weedfree Landscapes Tim Bower switched to Aspen 2 for all of their 2-stroke equipment. “Straight away we noticed the reduction in noxious fumes. For the operator this brings fantastic health benefits, especially during prolonged periods of exposure, but it also makes for a cleaner working environment which is desirable when we’re working in public spaces such as schools for example.”

Aspen is available pre-mixed for 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines and, along with improving reliability and prolonging the performance of engine components, the cleaner burn improves the working conditions for the operator and significantly reduces the harmful impact your machinery makes on the environment. Because of this, and in particular the benefits it can bring to those working in confined spaces, Aspen is a popular choice for tree surgeons, local authorities and green space managers looking for an alternative, greener power source.

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Environmental award final for Capillary Concrete

Environmental award final for Capillary Concrete: Swedish-owned golf bunker liner specialist Capillary Concrete has been nominated as a finalist in an international competition to find sustainable and natural alternatives to artificial turf on school and preschool yards. 

Capillary Concrete has a complete base-system for artificial turf which completely contains any micro-plastic contaminations.

Environmental award final for Capillary Concrete

Environmental award final for Capillary Concrete

Three finalists have been chosen by the competition, which is run by IVL, the Swedish Environmental Institute. As well as Capillary Concrete, these finalists come from Nordic Surface Sweden and Turfs.

“The three finalists were judged by the review group judged to have the greatest potential based on how they can contribute to reduced spread of microplastics. We have received great contributions and there are examples of both system and material solutions. At the event, we also hope that many customers and decision-makers participate so that we can show that it is possible to choose sustainable solutions that are both adapted to modern play, and at the same time reduce the spread of microplastics in the environment,” said Lovisa Bengtsson, project manager at IVL Swedish Environmental Institute.

The final will take place in front of a jury at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency on February 24. All three finalists will present their ideas to a jury, which will select a winner. “This is an important competition, and we’re proud to have been selected as a finalist,” said Capillary Concrete inventor and CEO Martin Sternberg. “Now we need to refine our pitch for the final!”

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Biodegradable tree guards reduce environmental impact

Biodegradable tree guards reduce environmental impact: A NEW RANGE of biodegradable guards are now available, helping to reduce the environmental impact of planting new whips and improving landscape management.

WhiptecBio tree and hedge guards are made from recycled material and are 100% sustainable, biodegradable and compostable. Developed with expert arboriculturists during the past 14 years, the guards have been successfully trialled in a range of scenarios and are now available exclusively from Agrovista Amenity.

Biodegradable tree guards reduce environmental impact

Biodegradable tree guards reduce environmental impact

Landscape Team Manager for Agrovista Amenity, Ed Smith, said: “Although they play a vital role in establishing young saplings, there has also been some negativity surrounding tree guards and their impact on the environment.

“The majority are single-use and not always removed once the tree or hedge has established, leaving micro plastics in the ground and posing a risk to wildlife if ingested.

“The new WhiptecBio range is a great solution. They offer all the usual benefits of plastic tree guards such as improved establishment and protection from grazing animals, whilst also being kinder to the environment.”

The average lifespan of the WhiptecBio range is around 3-4 years, due to the product containing a natural additive that makes the guards biodegradable and compostable. Flat packed and easy to install, the guards are secured with a cane, negating the need for plastic ties.

An additional benefit of the product degrading naturally is there is no need to remove the guards – easing the burden on landscape management and improving workload efficiency.

Ed added: “Tree planting is firmly on the Government’s agenda in order to offset carbon emissions and improve the UK’s sustainable credentials.

“Trees are also often planted to restrict flooding and are therefore near to watercourses. In those instances, using WhiptecBio tree guards is even more important to reduce the risk of plastics entering watercourses and damaging our ecosystem.

“Of course, there will be instances where traditional plastic tree guards are more suitable, such as if they are required for a longer period of time. But, it’s paramount that in those cases, the guards are removed once the trees have successfully established.

“As landscape professionals, we all have a role to play in reducing the environmental impact associated with our work. Something as simple as improving our use of tree guards will be a considerable contribution.”

WhiptecBio tree guards are manufactured by Ezee Tree and available to purchase through Agrovista Amenity.

For more information about Agrovista Amenity, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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New Environmental Commitment

New Environmental Commitment: Ekerum Resort Öland was recently awarded the “World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility” at the World Golf Awards which took place at La Manga Club in Spain. The Golf Club which is situated in Sweeden has signed a five-year preferred supplier agreement with Jacobsen in which both parties have pledged to measure and publish environmental performance.

Jacobsen has ensured that Ekerum Resort Öland is supplied with the best environmentally performing machinery, which includes an Eclipse 322 diesel hybrid greens mower, a Truckster XD with SprayTek, an HR700 wide area rotary mower, an AR722 rough mower, 10 Cushman Haulers and 25 E-Z-GO ELiTE TXT golf cars.

New Environmental Commitment

 Jacobsen has an ongoing commitment to ISO Standard 14001 which gives clear objectives for improving environmental performance and actively championing environmentally sound practices. Jacobsen and Ekerum Resort Öland have worked together to set a specific set of environmental targets. The targets agreed to by both businesses are:

  • Reduce waste removed from sites by 2% per year (10% over a 5-year period)
  • Increase waste recycling by 2% per year (10% over 5-year period)
  • Reduce energy use (total KW/h/ hours worked) by 2% on 2016 usage (10% over 5-year period)

Commenting on the partnership, Director International Golf Sales Andre Andrade, said:

“Firstly, I would like to congratulate Ekerum on winning the accolade of the World’s Best Eco-friendly Golf Facility. At Jacobsen, we are leaving no stone unturned as we strive to better both our production and the environmental performance of our machinery. As custodians of a fantastic facility in Öland, I am incredibly pleased that the team at Ekerum share the same environmental values and together, we are setting industry standards and pushing boundaries.”

Magnus Lagerlöf, CEO at Ekerum Resort Öland, commented on the new machinery and the partnership with Jacobsen:

“As our recent award suggests, we are committed to environmental sustainability, and a huge part of this is the machinery we use on the golf course. The E-Z-GO ELiTE golf car range is a huge technological advancement in the industry. The new cars have a 25% reduction in weight and reductions in energy consumption in the region of 30%. These are big savings which positively impact both the environment and our finances! We are very excited to be working with Jacobsen, and Textron more broadly, to keep improving our practices and the golfing experience for our customers.”

In addition to winning “World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility,” Ekerum Resort Öland also won “Sweden’s Best Golf Hotel” and was nominated in the category of “Europe’s Best Golf Venue” and “Sweden’s Best Golf Course” at this year’s World Golf Awards.

Find out more about Ekerum Resort Öland: http://ekerum.com/

Find out more about E-Z-GO ELiTE: https://www.ezgo.com/elite

 Find out more about Jacobsen: www.jacobsen.com

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Greenkeeper Shortlisted For Golf Environmental Award

Greenkeeper Shortlisted For Golf Environmental Award: One of the greenkeepers at Cumberwell Park Golf Club outside Bradford on Avon has been shortlisted for a top golf environment award.

Jon Keepen, Head of Conservation and First Assistant at Cumberwell Park, has been shortlisted for the STRI Golf Environment Award for ‘Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year’, organised by the Sports Turf Research Institute based in Bingley, West Yorkshire.

Greenkeeper Shortlisted For Golf Environmental Award

The STRI Golf Environment Awards recognise, reward and promote outstanding individuals and golf courses, no matter how big or small, for the time and effort they have put into protecting and preserving their unique surroundings.

A spokesperson said: “Golf courses around the world are seeing tangible results from introducing environmentally sustainable management projects across their golf courses.

“These projects are achieving an increase in habitat varieties, improving playing experiences for golfers and providing a positive contribution to wildlife!

“With the ever-increasing spotlight on environmental matters, it is fundamentally important for golf courses worldwide to assess what they can do to achieve environmental sustainability protect while continuing to maximise the enjoyment of golf.”

Matthew James, the Cumberwell Park Course Manager, said: “This is fantastic news for Jon and the club as it recognises all his efforts towards our conservation work at Cumberwell Park.”

The pair will attend the STRI Golf Environment Awards dinner at the Bigga Turf Management Exhibition in Harrogate from January 21-24 to find out which of the three finalists will win.

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