Green Business Awards 2008: Best Environmental Business - Winner Green-Tech
In Britain's competitive market for growing media (the substrate or compost used for growing plants), environmental issues have long been important, notably in the long-running controversy over the use of peat.
Increasing numbers of suppliers have begun launching greener types of compost and replacement topsoil. York-based landscaping firm Green-Tech is in the vanguard with its green-tree topsoil, a product made from a mixture of sewage sludge and local authority composted green waste. Green-tree topsoil has already won awards for its environmental benefits. It recently achieved a commercial breakthrough when Green-Tech supplied 30,000 cubic metres of the topsoil to rejuvenate a former colliery in South Yorkshire.
Green-Tech began its life 14 years ago as a supplier of tree shelters. Its business, it says, was always geared to developing a sustainable environment. It now supplies a wide range of products to the landscaping, forestry and construction industries, and has grown to 29 employees.
Recycled topsoil is one of Green-Tech's main product lines. Its flagship product is green-tree topsoil, a unique blend of processed sewage sludge and local authority composted green waste, plus silica sand.