Interior Plantscaping: As Green as it Gets...And Getting Greener
While there are many inherent environmental benefits afforded with the inclusion of a live plantscape, the plant industry is constantly striving to reduce it's 'footprint' and improve the overall impact their products and services have on the earth, the people who work and design with the plants as well as those who enjoy them in their office or home.
Home Base
As a profession, most interior plant businesses carry over their dedication to the creation of green indoor environments into the way they run their own businesses. Realizing their product is only as 'green' as their establishment, many hold themselves to fairly rigorous standards when greening their headquarters. This often includes monitoring elements that commonly contribute to a healthier, more efficient building--which, of course to them, includes keeping many live plants directly in the working areas. In addition water saving features, phosphate free cleaning products, water based or low VOC paints, programmable Energy Star rated HVAC systems, motion sensor lighting (where natural light in not possible) are among the practices employed to assure a positive impact on the environment, health and well being of their naturally green businesses.
Common Internal Standards
One example of the many vital efforts being forged to keep the indoor landscape industry's footprint to a minimum was developed by a LEED AP consultant, Kathy Fediw, who created an elective minimum 'green' standard certification called Green Earth -Green Plants®. Currently serving as the only national program specifically for interior plantscape companies, the program consists of a 17-page assessment covering horticultural practices, vehicle usage, indoor and outdoor facilities, recycling, staff education, and community involvement. Companies attain credit for each eco-friendly criteria that they meet and must earn a minimum of 200 points in order to obtain certification.
Keeping Your Building Green --in More Ways Than One.
The initiatives below represent both those that are nearly industry standard as well as some that are just emerging as new and creative solutions. Direct inquiry would be needed to determine the specific set of initiatives any one particular interior landscape provider currently employs.
Water
Interior landscapers schedule two-week watering and maintenance schedules.
An atrium planting can be designed using subterranean irrigation method.
Drip emitter system- with soil moisture sensors so plantings are only watered as needed as well as micro-irrigation systems are incorporated to conserve water
Containerized plants with controlled watering devices specifically designed to accurately dispense water on an as needed basis. Controlled Watering Planters are effective at eliminating much of the lost water due to evaporation.
Greenhouse or holding facility uses ebb & flow watering system for bench plants.
Non-potable water or rainwater is used to water plants.
Incorporate capillary matting or an enclosed system within the containers that that allows one month or more between water fills.
Utilization of wetting agents or polymers on the plants
Recycled Content of Planting Soil
Organic has become widely used,
One ingredient used in indoor soil mixes is coconut coir, which is a by-product of coconut production.
Other products such as rice hulls and composed bark are also used. Some soils are made with composted garbage.
Peat moss (a renewable restheirce) is also a major component of utilized indoor soil mixes.
Planters/Containers
There are a range of available and utilized planters and containers that affirm the green statement a plant display can bring to an indoor environment. Here are a few:
Containers that are biodegradable.
Recycled clay tiles from old buildings in their ceramic planters.
Recyclable and recycled or reused metal containers.
Containers with new paint process and finish that cuts down on off-gasses.
Decorative containers do not emit VOC’s.
Containers have a powder-coated finish.
Containers that can be repainted, refinished or returned to the manufacturer for recycling or refinishing.
Recycling the original plastic grow pots as well as the paper and fiber plant sleeves that the the plants arrive in (after reuse), as well as the cardboard boxes they are transported in (if not reused or returned back to grower) has become a rapidly growing industry practice.
Plant clippings and debris are brought back to main facility for composting --composting has been set up on several interior landscaper's site of business. Or employees compost plant clippings at home.
Top Dressing
Top dressings made from sustainable or recycled materials are often used, such as: sheet moss or natural moss, Spanish moss, wood excelsior moss, bark nuggets, shredded bark, or other materials made from recycled products. Some are derived from recycled wooden barrels (wine, beer etc), charred and then chipped and sold as topdressing
Cork Mats are made using sustainable and replaceable materials
Petroleum-free plant cleaners are frequently used.
Non-aerosol, non toxic plant cleaners are used where needed.
Naturally-shiny leaves are dry-buffed for shine.
Pest Control
The control of pests using beneficial insects is environmentally friendly (no chemicals, no pesticides). Limited the use of only organic or biological
pesticides such as those containing natural ingredients or bacteria are used by other providers.
With most providers, clients and employees have full access to pesticide and chemical labels and MSDS sheets.
Vehicles/Transportation
Some local interior landscapers have discovered the advantages of switching to a completely fuel efficient fleet for both installation as well as regular maintenance travel
Other interior landscape company vehicles are hybrid fueled or use alternative fuels.
Innovative plant maintenance routing software has proved to reduce resources and greatly add to overall project efficiency.
The practice of reimbursing technicians to report directly to the job site (rather than come in the office first) or to utilize van pools, as well reimbursing for public transportation and encouraging telecommutes where possible have all become positive moves for various interior landscape firms.
While the plant industry always considers optimal native plantings for a green building project, there are often plants that are more compatible for the lighting and design of the space that need to be transported from another location. Various trucking companies employed for these purposes have made multiple adjustments to assure this need to relocate detracts as little as possible from the overall environmental benefit of the plants themselves. Innovative packing materials, restructured loading racks that allow for more plants per trip, hybrid vehicles and co-oping routes with other transport entities are just a few of the ways this issue is being addressed within the plant industry.
Cleaning
Use of non toxic cleaners, wipes that can be recycled or are biodegradable are environmentally friendly.
Sustaining the Standard
Certain providers have found it important that every horticulture technician, installer, trainer, supervisor and manager owns and has been trained on manuals or books outlining how to care for indoor plants in an earth-friendly way, such as “Green Plant Care Tips for Techs”. In certain establishments the staff receives environmental quality assurance reports on their accounts with suggestions for improvements.
Firms often encourage staff to become a registered trainer, utilizing our (Green Plants for Green Building's) provider status, presenting the approved curriculum on how plants positively impact the indoor built environment to members of the AIA, USGBC, ASID.
Various interior plant businesses have representatives who voluntarily go out into the community and speak or teach about horticulture or environmental issues at local community groups, colleges or elementary schools.
Several firms actually are part-time professors at area universities and regularly publish articles and other informative materials concerning the environmental advantages inherent in live plants indoors.
Regular Monitoring - A Plant Program's Impact on IAQ
'Building Green' Recommendations for Measuring Air Quality and Possibly the Effectiveness of Plants to Remove Airborne Toxins:
As part of the plant industry's dedication to keeping their product a 'net positive' green element, they are constantly researching and piloting products and services that uniquely provide for their special needs while matching their dedication to healthier, more productive building interiors.
The few initiatives listed here 'scratch the surface' of a growing Index of green initiatives being implemented within and in support of the indoor landscape industry. We will continually update you so please check back!
