Western's Containers and the Environment
With the nursery and greenhouse industry’s recent focus on "green products", buzz words such as: Sustainable, Earth-friendly, Eco-sensitive, Natural, Biodegradable, Compostable, etc. are being tossed around today. Most of the "green" terms being used do not have commonly accepted definitions or industry consensus as to their meaning. Some companies are simply trying to associate their products with terms that appear to make them look favorable in regards to the environment, without any real qualification or documentation. By appearing to be "green" or "sustainable", companies hope to cash in on the consumer’s interest in environmentalism, which is being demonstrated by how they spend their retail dollars.
The net result is a lot of confusion and questions for growers, retailers, and consumers as to what to believe and how to make sure a product they are purchasing is the best choice for our environment.
For Western's credibility, we believe it is important to precisely state the facts about our products:
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Made with Recycled Paper
The newspaper we use is collected by charitable organizations and is termed post-consumer. The Kraft, waxed, and other waste paper we use are termed pre-consumer. Western has a 50+ year history of making great products with waste paper and we feel proud to use material that might otherwise be headed for the waste stream (landfills, etc.). For example, in 2006 the U.S. E.P.A. estimated over 1/3 of municipal solid waste was paper. To learn more about the third-party certified recycled content of Western's products, click here.
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Biodegradable and can be composted
Western’s nursery and greenhouse containers are biodegradable and can be composted. In the natural environment (under conditions that provide oxygen exchange, moisture and support soil microorganisms), Western’s molded fiber containers will naturally breakdown into organic matter. The period of time needed for our pots to degrade depends on their composition and formulation and the conditions they are subjected to. Large and Extra Large containers made from our standard nursery formulation with asphalt emulsion will last longer than thin wall rose containers made from straight paper. Wax permeating our containers will also increase their service life, as does adding SpinOut (copper hydroxide) to our Root Guarde formulation containers. The metal and nylon hangers, as well as the brass eyelets used on our baskets, are not biodegradable, but are recyclable.
The conditions needed to break down molded fiber containers:
- The paper media must become wet and stay moist for a period of time. Without adequate moisture the biodegrading process will not take place.
- Aerobic (oxygen exchange) conditions are needed to support the bacteria, yeasts and fungi which "eat" the containers. Without the presence of oxygen (anaerobic) the organisms can not live and organic matter (paper) will not breakdown.
- The soil temperature must be a minimum of 50–55 degrees Fahrenheit to support organism growth. At soil temperatures lower than 50 degrees, the organisms which consume paper are not active.
- Nitrogen is needed to balance the carbon content of the paper. Good soil fertility is not only helpful for plant growth, but will also speed the breakdown of our paper containers.
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In some cases our containers can be planted "pot and all"
For many years, fiber containers have been used for bare root shrubs and trees, and given proper care, can be planted pot and all. The horticultural benefit of planting pot and all is reducing potential transplant shock for plants with unestablished rootballs. By leaving the newly planted shrub or tree in our biodegradable containers, their roots are not disturbed or damaged as they potentially would be if a plastic pot was removed before planting.
When planting pot and all, care must be exercised to ensure that the pot does not confine root growth or prevent the plant from receiving adequate moisture. Western recommends that the rim and bottom be removed and sides of the pot split, allowing physical contact with the plant’s roots and the media inside with the field soil the pot is planted in. By doing so, the roots are not constrained by the pot and can access moisture from the soil. In very dry climates such as the southwest U.S., universities like Colorado State and Utah State recommend completely removing fiber pots to prevent wicking of moisture.
Herbaceous plants, like annual bedding plants, normally have fibrous root systems that are not aggressive enough to grow through the walls of our standard containers. Planting pot and all is not recommended with these types of short lived plants due to the potential of constricting root growth and the container not breaking down fast enough. The exception would be our thin wall Kraft pots. While the roots of tomatoes and most vegetables will grow through the lightweight container’s relative thin sidewalls, growers such as Bonnie Plant Farms, recommend the bottom half of the pot be "gingerly" pealed off before inserting the plant into the planting hole.
Pots containing SpinOut should not be considered as "plant pot and all" containers.
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Not considered "Organic", but can be used to grow organic plants
Our standard containers are not considered "Organic", but can be used to grow organic plants. The term Organic, used in reference to production of food and plants, has strict qualifications that are defined by the USDA and other regulatory agencies. Laws and or regulations are in place requiring specific qualifications be met to term a product "organic". The standard formulations we use in our molded fiber nursery and greenhouse containers, are completely safe for growing plants, but contain ingredients that do not qualify as organic.
While we do not claim to be an organic product, we have had growers receive approval from Oregon Tilth (An Organic certifying organization recognized by the USDA and others) that organic vegetable transplants can be grown in our molded fiber containers provided that the plant is removed from the container prior to being planted in the soil.
It is our understanding that each grower wanting to seek organic certification for production needs to file a detailed practices and management plan with the certifying agency. There are a number of organizations that provide certification including; Oregon Tilth, Florida Certified Organic Growers, California Certified Organic Growers and others.
The Dynamics of
Premium Molded Fiber-
Brass Eyelets & Nylon Hangers
Size 10 & 12 baskets available with extra-strong nylon hangers that snap easily into no-rust brass eyelets — saving time and labor.
Heavy Duty Design
Premium Molded Fiber construction yields an extremely strong, water resistant and durable container.
Engineered To Breathe
Wax-permeated fiber construction is microporous, retaining soil moisture while allowing plants (and soil) to breathe — promoting healthy soil and roots.
Superior Insulation
Higher "R" values than plastic or wood without the evaporative loss of moss or coco — virtually eliminates channeling and ensures watering efficiency. When the center drain hole drips on a Western container the plant is thoroughly watered.
- Industry Guide To Marketing Container Plants
A publication intended to provide guidance to industry retailers and their suppliers on the minimum information required by law in selling packaged products, including containerized plants. This guide summarizes the law and regulations about what types of information are required and how that information must be presented.
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Plant Pot & All
Bare root roses, shrubs and smaller trees thrive in these containers. So easy to plant ‘pot and all’, without transplant shock! Packaged in plastic for weather resistant storage. Available in bulk.
