NZPPI SUSTAINABLE FUTURES AWARD

This year, the Awards Committee was really impressed by the scale of change happening at Rainbow Park Nurseries.

In the past year, Andrew and Peter Tayler have replaced two large gas boilers with a new CO₂ heat pump and thermal energy storage system. This is expected to reduce energy use by more than 4 million kilowatt hours per year and cut emissions from more than 1,200 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent to near zero.

They have also improved greenhouse energy efficiency by installing thermal screens and increasing insulation to reduce heating demand.  The thermal screens can maintain temperatures of 18 degrees C using half the amount of night energy compared to other areas of the greenhouse.

Together, these initiatives show long term commitment to building a more sustainable future for plant production.

The nursery, which specialises in flowers and houseplants, has transitioned its glasshouse heating systems from gas to a CO2 heat pump system and installed over 7 million litres of water storage capacity.

Van Lier Nurseries' innovative approach exemplifies how sustainable choices can be both cost-effective and beneficial to business operations.

The nursery has pioneered several sustainable practices:

• The first in the cut flower industry to transition from plastic sleeves to compostable and recyclable paper sleeves
• Using cardboard inserts for pot plants instead of plastic packaging.
• Moved from using bore water to solely relying on rainwater, expanding water storage capacity from 3.5 million litres to 7 million litres through reservoirs and tanks.
• Switching from rockwool to coir for growing cut flowers, paired with a locally sourced potting mix.

When receiving their award at our 2024 conference dinner, Marisa and Harry emphasised that choosing sustainable options was not always more difficult or expensive; "It involves research, creativity, and adjustments to business processes. Our commitment to reducing our environmental impact has received positive feedback from customers, reinforcing their loyalty to our business.