Denmark: Butterfly Garden goes ahead in sustainability without any plastic waste

The first All Natural paper pots and trays will be put on the market commercially soon by Danish campanula grower Butterfly Garden / Gartneriet Tvillingegaarden. Over the last year, they tested these pots in cultivation as well as in sales and they were so satisfied with the reactions that they will put…

"The horticultural industry needs a new trolley system"

"Our vision is to revolutionize international goods distribution with universal trolleys." These are the ambitious words of Søren Bøgede Andersen, CEO of Uni-Troll Europe. At the IPM Essen 2016, he presented the idea for the first time with prototypes and was this year present with three Uni-Troll…

UK: Taupe pots become a reality

This week marked a significant change in the potting shed at The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, with the first of the new taupe pots being used for potting. The taupe pots will begin appearing in garden centres over the next few months. The company will be replacing black plastic pots for all new crops. The new taupe plastic pot is carbon black free,…

It's Valentine's Day! Busy times for florists!

It's Valentine's Day today, and this means busy times for florists. It is a holiday that is celebrated in many parts of the world and the fact that it falls on a Thursday is, historically speaking, beneficial. Thursday "Friday and Saturday are the best days for me, but Valentine's Day on a Thursday is the third best…

Breakdown PET launched at Packaging Innovations

Macpac is to present Breakdown PET on Stand D30 at Packaging Innovations. Macpac says that Breakdown PET naturally decomposes in a few years rather than centuries. The material is both fully recyclable and biodegradable. It has the same characteristics as standard R-PET with at least 90% recyclable content but has…

PPC makes full switch to 70 percent recycled polyprop label, tag material

The move away from single use plastic is a trend that is continuing to grow and increasingly more companies are adapting to this trend. One of these companies is PCC labels. Recently, they decided to make all of their polypropylene labels and tags out of 70 percent recycled materials. Moreover, they also…

Dillewijn Zwapak introduces special ‘Selected’ product line for florist products

Dillewijn Zwapak is introducing a series of special items for florists, arrangers and window dressers under the name ‘Selected’. Items in the ‘Selected’ category are from specialised and renowned suppliers that, due to their consistently high quality, are invited by Dillewijn Zwapak to become a ‘Selected’ partner. As a result, customers…

US: PPC Flexible Packaging acquires HFM Packaging

PPC Flexible Packaging announced the acquisition of Pewaukee, Wisconsin – based HFM Packaging. PPC, headquartered in Buffalo Grove, IL, is active in flexographic printing and converting of…

CAN (BC): Clearview on growing in the cold

Last weekend, the cold also hit B.C. in Canada. "Even though we live in Canada, we are usually relatively warm here in B.C., however, last weekend we had cold temperatures and some snow",  says Robbie Wein of Clearview, one of North America's leaders in clematis propagation, production and breeding . "Also…

Biodegradable solutions: From a hot topic to real orders

Biodegradable solutions have been a hot topic for several years, but now the transition is taking place and real orders are being made, explains Przemysław Procek of Oboya Horticulture Poland. This horticultural supplies manufacturer introduced their first biodegradable sleeve three years ago and…

Responding to the growing demand for plastic alternatives

The demand for bioplastics as an alternative to conventional oil-based plastics, is ever growing. Recent developments in European packaging and waste laws, boost that demand even more. But, it’s not just laws that force us to look for alternatives. Retailers, producers and consumers are becoming more and…

2019: France will impose sanctions on products with non-recycled plastic packaging

The French government intends to introduce a bonus-malus system to incite consumers to buy products packaged with recycled plastic. This measure is part of the 100% recyclable…

Colombian plan to keep narcotics out of flowers

Guarantee safe export of flowers and prevent drug trafficking during high seasons like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. This is the goal of the so-called “Plan Pétalo” that has been launched by the Colombian Anti-narcotics police and Asocolflores (the Association of Colombian Flower Exporters) in 2006.…

"Plastic-free packaging ticks all the right environmental boxes"

Sirane's award-winning plastic-free Earthpouch could be perfect for companies selling into the horticultural market looking to ‘go green’ with packaging. The Earthpouch – winner of a UK Packaging Award first place and a Green Apple Award – could be ideal for seeds, bulbs, plant foods, fertilisers and more. Simon Balderson,…

PPC Flexible Packaging acquires Temkin International

PPC Flexible Packaging, a provider of custom flexible packaging for specialty food and healthcare markets, has acquired Payson, Utah – based Temkin International. The combined…

UK: Lovania Nurseries to convert all plant trays to rPET

In partnership with Aldi for over 20 years and with a new extension for a further five years, Lovania Nurseries have committed to converting all its plant trays to rPET. The Aldi packaging, made of recycled materials and easily recyclable to continue its sustainable lifespan, means that Lovania have…

"Sustainable future is in innovation and mentality change"

A lot is possible, but in the end we will have to accept that the sustainable alternatives to plastics are just a little bit different than we are used to. That also applies to something small like a plant label, according to Judith Klute (art director) and Michel Braan (product developer), Floramedia.…

A look into the production of plastic trays and boxes

Beekenkamp Verpakkingen starts off the new year with a new corporate movie. From plant raising trays, substrate troughs and pots to pallet boxes. From design of the products and production to final use in practice, is portrayed. For more information: Beekenkamp Verpakkingen Korte Kruisweg 157 2676 BS Maasdijk T: 0031 (0)174 526100…

Koen Pack introduces velvet covered pots

Koen Pack starts the new year with some new pots for plants. These new pots from the Royal Softness series are available from now on. "The pots are made from wood with velvet and have a soft luxurious look", says the company. "Thanks to the different colors, they are suitable for every occasion." For more information: Koen Pack De Loetenweg 8…

Breeders ‘put a ring on it’ to protect their plants

"The major difference between this product and license labels is, that it can’t start a life of its own after using it.” The product in question is a little plastic ring named Breeder Protector and is developed by D.H.M.I together with Lannes & Fils. In the category Non-Plant Product of the 2014…

Quest for the Ideal Flowerbox moves on to the next stage

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is supporting the Holland Flower Alliance (HFA) as they work towards implementing the Ideal Flowerbox, a standardised box and pallet to make the shipment of flowers more efficient and sustainable. The HFA successfully completed a two-month trial on the Nairobi, Africa to Amsterdam, Netherlands route,…

Holiday Humor for Flower Lovers

Tropical plant grower finds sustainable solution with coconut

At a stone's throw from the old office, Van der Arend Tropical Center recently moved into a new building. Right behind it is the equally new two-hectare greenhouse, where the newer assortment (Alocasia, Monstera monkey leaf) is cultivated. "This greenhouse perfectly meets the conditions in which we want…

"If there is a demand, there will automatically be a market"

"Increasingly more attention is being paid to the issue of pollution, and rightly so. Not only with regard to the emission of CO2, but certainly also with regard to litter in nature and in particular different kinds of plastics". This is according to Bert de Wals of IPP Holland, for years one of the…

UK: Glitter loses its shimmer as Waitrose & Partners plans to phase it out

Waitrose & Partners has pledged that by Christmas 2020, its own label cards, wrap, crackers, tags, flowers and plants will either be glitter-free or the retailer will use…

What does the new German packaging law entail?

There is a new packaging law around the corner in Germany. For companies that sell packaged products on the German market, it will require registration and paying a fee. The law aims to increase the recycling of plastic and will come into effect on January 1, 2019. It will affect 'Business to Consumer' packaging (B2C)…

International interest for HortiContact Tour 2019

The preliminary registrations for the HortiContact Tour (19 and 20 February 2019) show that international growers around the world travel to the Netherlands to become acquainted with the latest developments in Dutch greenhouse horticulture. Over the past period, the organization received registrations of…

Cutter system makes it easier to go for dry pack

Flowers are either shipped wet pack or dry pack. Dry pack has several advantages over wet pack, but stores often do not choose this option, as it is traditionally more labor and budget intensive. In order to let stores benefit from the savings from receiving in dry pack, Paul Harris developed a cutter…

"Amblyseius-System becomes more eco-friendly"

At Biobest they are constantly looking at ways to make their packaging more sustainable. Reducing reliance on plastic is a key focus. With this in mind, their team has redesigned the packaging for the Biobest bulk Amblyseius-System replacing plastic buckets with specially designed eco-friendly paper…

New biodegradable material for plant labels presented

Designstar recently launched a new biodegradable material for plant labels at the ornamental plant Trade Fair Aalsmeer 2018. PLM BIO is an environmentally friendly alternative for plastic plant labels and is available now to growers and retailers. Leo van Antwerpen (Director Designstar), Paul Spies (Key Account Manager…