In a hugely successful regional event, with sustainability at the heart, HTA members were treated to a tour of RocketGro’s site, including the recently-added CO2 capture plant. Attendees were also given an insight into the next chapter of the British peat-free growing media producer’s journey to become Climate Positive.
As RocketGro celebrates a record year, it welcomed 50 HTA members to its site in Somerset, opening up the doors to its bio-gas facility, bagging line and the greatly-anticipated CO2 capture plant, which proved a real highlight for visitors on the day.
In a presentation given by Managing Director, Toby Thomas, guests were updated on RocketGro’s climate positive journey so far and given a sneak peek at plans to improve sustainable practices even further, including production of compressed natural gas from the CO2 capture plant. This next step will enable RocketGro to run its fleet of lorries and, eventually, all tractors using its own green renewable energy.
Toby also unveiled plans for the next phase, which includes a huge new solar plant on unused land, right next to the biogas plant.
With its drive to operate in a way that benefits the planet, RocketGro was the perfect host for the HTA’s inspirational event, which focused on sustainability, lowering carbon footprints and being organic.
Attendees also heard from chef, writer and influencer, James Strawbridge who talked about ‘plot to plate’ and ‘sustainable growing’ with ‘Organic low Carbon living’, along with Ecotribo, a business that specialises in turning Ocean plastic and Plastic Waste into outdoor and horticultural products, whilst PlanetMark & HTA discussed Net Zero Planning. Guests rounded off the day with a delicious hog roast lunch in the sunshine, and the chance to network.
RocketGro Managing Director Toby Thomas commented: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome members to our Somerset base and play host such to such an exciting and though-provoking event. My team and I really enjoyed the chance to talk to like-minded businesses and to be able to share more about our own journey; revealing what we hope to achieve in the coming months and years. The HTA’s southwest regional event was such a fantastic opportunity for members to come together, share ideas and find solutions, with a firm focus on helping to reduce our impact on the environment. It was a real privilege to be involved.”
RocketGro has a busy few months ahead, as the British brand is set to take centre stage in September as headline sponsor of the first-ever Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival – billed to be a celebration of sustainability, soil and spectacular gardening.
The event, which also takes place in Somerset, aligns perfectly with RocketGro’s ethos, as it sets out to inspire people to ‘get greener in the garden’. Speakers include Arit Anderson, who will present on gardening for the climate, and Alys Fowler, who will discuss perennial vegetables that promote a healthy ecosystem, just to name a few.