Here’s what you need to know about the plant industry’s environmental footprint, if your plant obsession is contributing to it, and what you can do about it.
Many of the houseplants come from tropical or subtropical environments. Transporting plants long distances, whether by plane, boat or truck generates a lot of carbon emissions. This is often referred to as “plant miles,” aka the total distance houseplants travel to get to you.
Plastic pots are the main container used to house most indoor plants. This is a big problem for the environment, considering plastic’s life cycle is carbon intensive from beginning to end. Overall, only 5-6% of plastic gets recycled.
When peatlands are damaged, this leads to a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Peatlands can also catch fire, which they often do when harvested in dry conditions. Burning peat is even more polluting than burning coal.
Now that you’re aware of the problems, lets talk solutions! — Buy Less Plants — Propagate Cuttings — Use Sustainable Potting Soil — Upcycle Your Plastic Pots — Get Local Plants