Welcome to the Growing Media Initiative

Background

The Growing Media Initiative is a scheme developed by the Horticultural Trades Association in conjunction with the Growing Media Association, DIY and Garden Centre retailers, Defra, the RSPB and the Royal Horticultural Society.  The GMI has been developed in order to help the horticultural industry in the UK meet government targets for reduction in peat use.  Peatlands are an important habitat and carbon store globally and it is now widely recognised that it is important to minimise further drainage of peat bogs and peat extraction.  The GMI scheme aims to increase awareness about the need to protect the world’s peatlands and the need therefore to use more sustainable materials for growing their plants and improving the soil in their gardens.

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (1997) stated that the horticultural industry should aim for a minimum of 40% of total market requirements (soil improver plus growing media products) to be peat-free by 2005 and 90% by 2010.  The 2005 target has been met due to the combined efforts of suppliers, growers and retailers in the horticulture sector.  The 2010 target is much more challenging but this scheme aims to be a catalyst for a greater rate of change in peat replacement.

Scope of GMI Scheme

The largest consumer of peat, in the UK currently is in the amateur gardening growing media sector, particularly bagged ‘multi-purpose’ growing media and ‘Grow Bags’.  Amateur use of peat accounts for two thirds of the total volume used in the UK.  The initial focus of the GMI scheme is therefore on bagged growing media and soil improver/mulch products.  The growing media used by professional growers which is sold as part of plant products by retailers will be included in the scheme at a later date.

Scheme Details

Provisional GMI membership is open to retailers and manufacturers of growing media and soil improvers who are committed to achieving 90% peat replacement in their business and who are currently operating at a minimum of 20% replacement in retail products.   They must produce an annual Action Plan and demonstrate year on year progress.

Full GMI membership is awarded to businesses that have achieved 55% peat reduction in retail bagged products and that have an audited Action Plan detailing progress and how they are publicising their goals on peat replacement both internally and to customers.

Gold GMI membership will be awarded to those businesses that have achieved the Defra 90% peat replacement target.

The GMI scheme is managed by an elected Steering Group and audited by independent third party auditors.

GMI Rules and Procedures click here

Membership Application Form click here

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