We are very conscious of our social responsibilities. Take water consumption as an example. Whenever possible, coco peat is buffered and washed in the Netherlands because water is less scarce in this country. Moreover, we pay a lot of attention to cleaning and recycling waste water. And our product itself also has social benefits. This is because, unlike peat, coco peat is a short-cycle raw material. Once peat has been dug up, it takes thousands of years for it to be replaced. However, coconuts just grow on trees which are an inexhaustible source of supply. Moreover, coco peat’s CO2 emissions are many times lower than those of peat. It is therefore a sustainable and environmentally responsible alternative.
We generate additional income for the farmers in our production countries because the husk is no longer sold just for the fibres but also for coco peat. Greater familiarity with the product means an increased income for local growers. And we also accept social responsibility for our employees. We provide reasonable pay for the local population and a separate pension scheme. Our employees are also insured through Dutch Plantin.