Sustainability – Karma Plants BV

Sustainable now and for the future

Sustainability is key at Karma Plants. From the moment the company moved in 2007, the goal of being climate neutral has been realized

On the way to a green future

Climate neutral producing

Since the company moved in 2007, there has been a focus on a green future. With the choice to establish in the 'NEXT Garden' area, it was with that in mind. Growing plants in a responsible way and also completely sustainable was therefore quite a challenge. Sustainability of not only the cultivation but also the entire company has been a long process. Now after more than 10 years, several steps has been taken towards the goal of being 'climate neutral'. You can read more about these steps on the way to climate neutral on the link below.

Solar Panel Park

The energy is currently being generated and processed with one of the largest floating solar panels in Europe. This is located on a large lake where the water plays a major role in absorbing the electricity...

Recycled water use

A completely new water technical space has been built on the newly built nursery in 2020 with the latest techniques for the reuse of irrigation water. In the same period, the water technical area of the 'young plants' location...

New Cultivation system

The cultivation system 'Grown with Waterwick' is the new future for sustainable cultivation! It has many advantages for the entire market, such as the grower, retail and consumer. Since 2018, Karma Plants has therefore fully committed to it...

Peat-free growing

With the development of the new cultivation system 'Grown with Waterwick', there were certain tests in the field of potting soil. Because the peat is necessary for retaining moisture in the soil, it was therefore a good test to remove the peat...

Biomass Factory

Since July 2021, a biomass factory has been built in the horticultural area 'NEXT Garden' that only works on prunings. Wood that is collected within a radius of 100km and is only obtained from forest maintenance. Not the felling of the trees, but the pruning...

100% recycled boxes

A great step in making transport boxes even more sustainable has been done in 2020. The unique thing about these new printed boxes from Karma Plants is that they come completely from 100% recycled paper stream....

Eco-Friendly Sleeves

Since 2018, Karma Plants has made the choice to also supply the plants in paper sleeves and potcovers made of cardboard. In recent years we have seen a positive growth in this and customers are increasingly opting for this sustainable FSC packaging...

Solar Panel Park

The energy is currently being generated and processed with one of the largest floating solar panels in Europe. This is located on a large lake where the water plays a major role in absorbing the electricity. Studies have proven that solar panels produce the most on cold surfaces, all this has led the solar panels installed on the lake. With more than 6000 solar panels, it is currently one of Europe's largest floating solar panels. Another big advantage is that the quality of the water is better because the water becomes less warm. The solar panels are located on a 30,000 m2 water storage facility, the deepest point of the lake is 16 meters deep. This water is intended for all irrigation water for more than 500,000 m2 of greenhouses.

Recycled water use

A completely new water technical space has been built on the newly built nursery in 2020 with the latest techniques for the reuse of irrigation water. In the same period, the water technical area of the 'young plants' location was also connected to the new building. All this has made it possible that the nursery is now completely sustainable with the water. Below we will delve deeper into the processes.

Recycled irrigation water

All irrigation water is reused within the nursery. It is very important that the water is and remains clean, which is why investments have been made in a sustainable filter system at the recent construction build of 2020. All the irrigation water is the first to run over a sieve bend where all the dirt above 0.25 millimeters is already removed from the water. The water then runs through a special self-cleaning drum filter. This filter filters the water back to 0.02 ml. This makes the water extremely clean that it can be optimally disinfected and reused many times. The filter system also rinses water from sand filters. This unique situation means that it can be proudly said that a 0 discharge certificate has been issued from the Dutch water board. This means that all the irrigation water never leaves the nursery and therefore everything can be reused.

Water disinfection system

The outlet water is disinfected by means of ozone. Ozone is an unstable gas that can be made by sending compressed air past spark plugs. When the gas has made ozone, it is sent through the water by means of venturi. At that time, the ozone reacts to bacteria and fungi to which they 'burn'. The moment the combustion has taken place, ozone changes back to oxygen. At that moment a very high oxygen content is created in the irrigation water. This allows the irrigation water to be optimally absorbed by the roots of the plants. This is also the reason that the roots of Karma Plants are very white due to evidence of optimal effect.

The new sustainable way of growing

The cultivation system 'Grown with Waterwick' is the new future for sustainable cultivation! It has many advantages for the entire market, such as the grower, retail and consumer. Since 2018, Karma Plants has therefore fully committed to it. It is an economical and sustainable system in which the plant only absorbs the water it needs. Having your own water reservoir means that no water is wasted. In addition to the ease of watering, this system is now also the solution for peat-free cultivation. The entire 9cm range is already finished!

Cultivation pot with Waterwick string

All plants of Karma Plants currently have a 'Waterwick' string in them. This happens at the very first moment when the plant is placed in its cultivation pot. With this, the plant grows from the first moment with the knowledge that the nutrition comes via the Waterwick. Using the 'Waterwick' string, contact is made with water. The water contains the right nutrients that the plant needs to grow.

Ebb and flow pot

The specially developed white master pot (ebb and flow) has been a long process that took a total of three years to have the right mould. After lengthy testing and adjustment, this pot was finally developed successfully. The water is set up with water through the floor. A layer of water remains in each pot. At the moment all green plants are grown in these buckets and beautiful results can be seen.

The growing process

The white pot gives each plant its own water reservoir. This gives the plant the freedom to absorb the nutrients at its own pace and need. In this way, it is not possible to get too little or too much water. This ensures stress reduction and a more beautiful constant growth of the plant.

Complete 9cm collection Peat-Free

With the development of the new cultivation system 'Grown with Waterwick', there were certain tests in the field of potting soil. Because the peat is necessary for retaining moisture in the soil, it was therefore a good test to remove the peat completely to see what the 'Waterwick' fuse could mean in this. Today, we have succeeded in providing the entire 9cm collection with peat-free. A wonderful step towards the most sustainable plants on the market.

View the flyer below with more information

Biomass factory

Since July 2021, a biomass factory has been built in the horticultural area 'NEXT Garden' that only works on prunings. Wood that is collected within a radius of 100km and is only obtained from forest maintenance. Not the felling of the trees, but the pruning. This power plant also works on the basis of a very high combustion temperature of 1000 to 1200 degrees, whereby no fine particles are released. This is a very clean process and it is well illustrated below in the document.

Transport boxes 100% gerecycled

A great step in making transport boxes even more sustainable has been done in 2020. The unique thing about these new printed boxes from Karma Plants is that they come completely from 100% recycled paper stream. This means that no additional trees have to be cut down. In addition, there is also an extra moisture-retarding effect, whereby the boxes are resistant to moisture for longer.

Recycled paper used

The boxes are unique because they are completely recycled. Another win is the special moisture-delaying effect. This means that the box can withstand moisture for a few hours longer. The moisture remains on the box for the first hours and, like other cardboard boxes, does not immediately penetrate the cardboard.

Available variants

There are different sizes. For example, for the 9cm collection we have a box with 6 plants per box (code 813). In addition, for the 12cm, we also have 5 plants per box (816) or 10 plants per box (818) and 17cm, 4 plants per box (820) and the 6 plants per box (352).

Eco-Friendly Sleeves

Since 2018, Karma Plants has made the choice to also supply the plants in paper sleeves and potcovers made of cardboard. In recent years we have seen a positive growth in this and customers are increasingly opting for this sustainable FSC packaging. It has a sustainable appearance and is therefore very easy for the consumer to recycle with the old paper stream.

Locations

KARMA CENTER / visitor center

Geranium 2
6681 Re Bemmel
+31 (0)26 325 7964

Young plants location

Salvia 9 | Bemmel

The Netherlands

Departments

Sales: Maurice
sales@karmaplants.com
+31 (0)6 1364 2074

Marketing & Communications: Lydia
lydia@karmaplants.com
+31 (0)6 3402 2520

Operations: Glenn
g.langelaan@karmaplants.com
+31 (0)6 2858 2423

Administration: Carla
facturen@karmaplants.com
+31 (0)26 325 7964

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