Tag Archive for: Green-tech

Green-tech delivers BNG Solutions map

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Green-tech delivers BNG Solutions map: The Government’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy is effective from today (Monday 12th February)

BNG is an approach to development, and management, that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand.

As of today, residential developments with 10 or more dwellings, or where the site area is greater than 0.5 hectares, will have to deliver net gains for biodiversity leading to positive outcomes for nature, better places for local communities, and more consistent and transparent requirements for developers.

Under mandatory BNG, all developments in England must replace any biodiversity lost and add a minimum of 10% biodiversity to provide a net gain. The resulting habitat will be secured for at least 30 years via planning obligations or conservation covenants, enforced by s106 agreements.

A brand of leading landscape supplier Green-tech, the team at John Chambers Wildflower Seed has worked with Bridgman and Bridgman to design a new BNG biodiverse green roof mixture.

Bridgman and Bridgman are specialists in the creation of sustainable living roofs. They trialled the wildflower seed mix to ascertain the best-performing species.

The final mixture comprises 40 species of native wildflower to ensure at least 25 species are present once the roof is established to meet the new legislation. The seed mix should be complimented with native sedum and dry grassland species as described in the guidelines.

John Chambers Wildflower Seed Technical Manager Georgia Gilbert explains, “The final mix contains native wildflower seed to combat the huge declines we have seen due to habitat loss, chemical use, and climate change. Native species are incredibly valuable for our native wildlife. We also chose species that are suitable and perform well in green roof structures – ones that are drought tolerant, suitable for full sun and exposed conditions, and thrive in lightweight substrate.”

Green-tech’s Business Development Director Mark Wood, adds, “Like many others in the industry, Green-tech has been planning for Biodiversity Net Gain and the introduction of the Government’s mandatory BNG policy. We have developed an interactive Biodiversity Net Gain map for use alongside the Biodiversity Metric to contribute to different design options, in the creation of a Nature Positive design. We aim to create a collaborative approach with an overview of enabling nature to thrive through considerate development. Users can view the map at https://www.gtspecifier.co.uk/interactive-map/ simply click on the map and they  will find an abundance of information and resources to help ensure their project is BNG compliant.”

For more information or advice contact the Green-tech Specifier team on 01423 332100.

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Green-tech help to reduce the risk of flooding in Leeds City

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Green-tech help to reduce the risk of flooding in Leeds City: Leeds City Council is working with the Environment Agency on their Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 (FAS2) to reduce the risk of flooding of a 14km stretch between Leeds Train Station and Apperley Bridge.

The project is designed to protect 1,048 homes and 474 businesses through a combination of traditional engineering methods and natural flood management. Due for completion in Spring 2024, it is expected that the flood risk will be reduced to a 0.5% probability of occurring in any given year (a 1-in-200-year level of flood protection).

Green-tech help to reduce the risk of flooding in Leeds City

Green-tech help to reduce the risk of flooding in Leeds City

BAM Nuttall is a construction and civil engineering company that delivers key pieces of infrastructure across the UK, from railways to wind farms. They use digital engineering and a net zero carbon approach, placing sustainability at their core.

Part of the scheme included work on the bank of the river Aire upstream of Kirkstall Bridge using an earth embankment or steel sheet piled flood walls in some areas. The embankment will tie into flood walls, that will extend up to the existing Kirkstall Bridge. This section of railway line connects Leeds with Shipley and Bradford and has flooded several times in the past, and currently remains at risk.

Alongside the embankment and flood walls, 2.4 hectares of landscape and ecological enhancements are being implemented in Kirkstall Meadows. This work includes the creation of wetland scrapes and various interventions to support local wildlife.

The project was subject to planning conditions that required reinstatement or protection of vegetated features along the riverbank where the construction of hard flood defences would otherwise have compromised the permanent river-side ecology.

Sub-agent Jim Mitchell, comments, “Green-tech was chosen as the products they offered were designed exactly for this purpose. They were able to supply products that complied with the project specification and offered expert advice on alternative solutions that improved buildability and function’.

For this part of the project, Green-tech supplied 45 pre-established Coir Edge Sods which comprise 5 different aquatic plant species mixes. This unique system incorporates pre-established vegetation within the face of stone-filled gabions which is an integral part of the erosion control solution for a water’s edge, even where the projects require hard engineering solutions. This innovative, green erosion control system helps when the stability of engineering with gabions is combined with the benefits of immediate vegetation to provide rapid environmental and ecological regeneration.

20 gt Coir Log Rolls were supplied. These are cost-effective and an excellent technique for establishing marginal vegetation around lake edges, streams, and river banks. Compressed coir fibre encased in woven polyethylene or coir netting, gt Coir Log Rolls can be supplied pre-established with UK native species or unplanted.

These were accompanied by 20 gt Rock Rolls – designed to help reduce and prevent long-term erosion and allow for the ground to stay stabilised. Commonly used around watercourse shorelines, high-flow riverbanks, and streams, gt Rock Rolls are UV-stabilised polypropylene mesh filled with gabion stones. They are ideal for creating a solid foundation for installing pre-vegetated coir products – the roots of the emergent plants grow into the voids of the rock rolls, giving long-term erosion control and bank support. Gt Rock Rolls installed below coir units can also be used to support a filter fabric or biodegradable matting.

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Green-tech celebrates 30-year anniversary

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Green-tech celebrates 30-year anniversary: Green-tech is celebrating 30 years of being the leading supplier to the landscaping industry.

Founded in 1994 from a farm outbuilding in North Yorkshire; today the company is owned by Origin Enterprises PLC and operates from a purpose-built business park, employing over 80 staff and selling over 5,000 different products.

Green-tech celebrates 30-year anniversary

Green-tech celebrates 30-year anniversary

Green-tech has a calendar of events planned throughout the year to celebrate this significant milestone. These range from sales promotions and competitions; to sponsored events, throwback memories, and a celebratory open day at their head office planned for the summer.

The company is widely recognised for its staunch commitment to the industry, supporting a vast number of events and exhibitions. They are the headline sponsor of the prestigious BALI National Landscape Awards for a tenth consecutive year. They are also the headline sponsor of the Pro Landscaper 30 Under 30: the next-generation initiative; a sponsor of the Pro Landscaper Business Awards as well as the APL awards.

Green-tech is also launching a ‘Challenge for Charity’ campaign; aiming to raise £30,000 for five charities – BALI Chalk Fund, Candlelighters, Macmillan Cancer Support, Perennial and Shelter. Striving to raise £1000 for every year of trading, the Green-tech team has six challenges planned over six months, bringing staff together to take part in events ranging from cycling and endurance to a ‘big sleep-out.’

In 1994 Green-tech was founded with a core range of tree-planting product range. This has expanded over the years to include a comprehensive range of urban tree planting products, soils, and growing media, grass and wildflower seed, fertilisers, grounds maintenance and reinforcement products, and ponds and ecology– the most comprehensive one-stop-shop in the landscaping and forestry industries.

Sales Director Richard Gill has been with the company for 21 years and comments “When I joined Green-tech there were 20 employees.  I, like many others here, have progressed through the ranks and pride myself on staying true to the Green-tech vision and philosophy.  By being forward-thinking, establishing and maintaining great relationships with suppliers and customers, and through continued investment in people, technology, new product development, facilities, and infrastructure, we have achieved great things.  I am incredibly proud to have played a part in this.  Green-tech is a remarkable company – every single person works hard to offer the best products, service, and prices; and I’m looking forward to seeing what the company achieves over the next 30 years”.

Kris Nellist, Green-tech’s Managing Director adds, “I am delighted to be leading the company as we enter our 30th trading year. It’s a significant milestone and one that is testimony to the excellent business model and team at Green-tech.  We have many long-serving team members and customers. Our systems only enable us to go back 20 years but tell us that over 10,000 of our customers have been trading with us since then. Quite an achievement! The founders set up Green-tech with a ‘can do’ attitude, striving to offer the most comprehensive product lines, with the fastest delivery times at the most competitive prices with outstanding customer care.  This is a mantra that holds strong today. We are now part of a PLC that wholly supports this and has additionally opened up new doors to us with other businesses in their portfolio. It’s an exciting time for Green-tech and I’m looking forward to the future as we enter our fourth decade.”

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Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register

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Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register: Green-tech, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, reinforces its commitment to investing in its people and the industry by sending another team member on the rigorous BASIS training course.

Jamie Peacock from the sales team has successfully completed and passed the BASIS Certificate in crop protection (Amenity Horticulture) and has been added to the BASIS Professional Register, strengthening the company’s in-house expertise.

Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register

Green-tech adds another team member to the BASIS Register

This course provides training and certification for sellers of agrochemicals and those advising on their use in amenity. It means Green-tech has even more people available to advise their groundsmen, greenkeepers, and landscaper customers working in the amenity sector.

The BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection for Field Sales and Technical Staff (FSTS) was established in 1978 and has been approved by Ministers to meet the requirements of Schedule 2 of the Control of Pesticide Regulations for certification of those involved in the sale, advice, and supply of pesticides.

Jamie is now proficient in the choice and application of professional chemical products, with the know-how to protect people, animals, and the environment. He can advise on weed, disease, and pest control. He is also competent in the application, safe use, handling, transport, and storage of Pesticides.

Green-tech’s Head of Sales Dean Jackson comments, “Green-tech sells a wide range of chemicals.  The advice we give must be correct and most important current.  This qualification has enhanced and broadened our in-house expertise which will naturally benefit our customers. Jamie is now better placed to help and direct our customers on their choice of professional chemical products. He has a wealth of industry and product knowledge and will help a customer decide the most appropriate product for their project. This is quite rightly, a tough course as the standards set by BASIS are high, but Jamie has worked hard and I am delighted for him.”

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Green-tech supplies tree-planting materials

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Green-tech supplies tree-planting materials: IndiWoods Ltd woodland consultancy is based in Co Armagh and works with farmers and landowners throughout Northern Ireland to encourage native woodland planting.

Owned and managed by Carolyn Trimble who has over 20 years of experience in creating native woodland, throughout Northern England and Northern Ireland. Carolyn and her team are proud to have planted over 2 million native trees thus far.

Green-tech supplies tree-planting materials

Green-tech supplies tree-planting materials

IndiWoods woodland consultancy created an amazing woodland planted on the outskirts of Banbridge, Co Down. It comprised 12ha of agricultural land which was planted as a native woodland known as Beechgrove Doggy Wood, to extend and enhance the hugely successful Doggy Fun Park next door. Beechgrove Woods features activity trails amongst the trees for dogs to enjoy.

A long-standing customer of Green-tech since 2006, IndiWoods purchased circa 22,000 Tubex Easywrap Tree Shelters and canes to protect the newly planted trees from rabbits and hares. The Easywrap tree shelter is a polypropylene tree wrap that can be recycled once it has served its purpose. They are designed for plants where lateral growth is important low down. As the tree grows, the Tubex Easywrap expands and opens, allowing the branches to grow sidewards.  It retains moisture and heat around the plant and protects it from small animals, as well as chemical sprays, to improve survival rates.

Beechgrove Doggy Wood has been created on 30 acres and has woodland trails and endless areas to explore, it provides dog lovers with the opportunity to sponsor a tree for life and dedicate it to their pet.

Carolyn comments, “I am passionate about encouraging native woodland planting throughout Northern Ireland and have worked with Green-tech for almost two decades to fulfill my requirements for tree planting and protection materials. Their customer service is excellent, and they always deliver what I need, when I need it, so I would happily recommend them. The owners of Beechgrove Doggy Wood are delighted with their woodland, and I loved being involved in it. We used native species to help strengthen and diversify the local ecosystem and I am thrilled with how well it has been received.”

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