From Battery-Powered Equipment to Biodegradable pots, Here is a Curated List of Products that are Both Eco-Friendly & Effective
Three generations of dairy farmers are behind CowPots. At Freund’s Farm Inc.—part of the coop for Cabot cheese—pretty much everything they do is sustainable: no-till corn fields, solar energy, recycled water and eco-friendly management plans. CowPots are an American made, biodegradable, plastic-free, seed starting pot using composted cow manure. Put the entire potted plant in the ground, and CowPots break down in the first growing season—adding value to gardens just like manure. Plants suffer no transplant shock, and establish themselves immediately. Tender, young roots easily penetrate the sides and bottoms of CowPots, and secondary root development throughout the pot grow into dense, healthy root systems. CowPots.com
Based in Virginia, the TreeDiaper is a patented technology—similar to a baby diaper—with a big capacity for holding water. TreeDiaper cuts down on watering and labor costs by keeping plants moist for weeks at a time. While the water release rate varies depending upon temperature, sunlight, air flow and humidity, in one test, the TreeDiaper mat continued to release water for a full two months. The mat recharges after rainfall or irrigation, then slowly releases the water. Installed on top of the soil and under a layer of mulch, the TreeDiaper also serves as weed control, root protection and soil erosion protection. The products works for all types of soils (from sand to clay), and when used properly, it promotes healthy outward root growth that facilitates establishment of newly planted trees and shrubs and enhances long-term health. TreeDiaper.com
Leaf Burrito Yard Bags
The revolutionary Leaf Burrito Year Round Yard Bag is made in America. This innovative product helps solve a world-wide crisis with single-use plastic film and short-lived poly tarps that are all unnecessarily going into landfills, storm drains, rivers and oceans. Leaf Burrito replaces dirty plastic film and tarps with durable, versatile and reusable Burrito Brands Incorporated products. Landscapers, universities and neighborhood associations have already made the switch. The Leaf Burrito is also customizable with your company logo and fits easily onto golf carts and maintenance vehicles. LeafBurrito.com
100% permeable paving. TRUEGRID permeable pavers are a good alternative to concrete and asphalt. The pavers absorb stormwater with zero runoff and can eliminate the need for a detention pond. They are porous yet strong for heavy use, loads and traffic. The modular pavers are easy-to-install and naturally attractive with gravel or grass fill. Millions of square feet of TRUEGRID pavers have been successfully installed by Google, AutoNation, Whole Foods Markets, NASCAR, the U.S. Military, local governments, universities and private residents. A bonus: The pavers are made in the USA using recycled consumables. TrueGridPaver.com
Tournesol Greenroof Trays
Tournesol Siteworks has over 30 years of creating landscape solutions for urban environments and the green building industry. Tournesol GRT3 greenroof trays are a modular product consisting of a series of trays, which hold engineered soil and plants. The trays can go directly on existing roofs, assuming necessary support exists. The product provides storm water retention, insulation and membrane protection. Tournesol GRT3 greenroof trays are made of extremely durable High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE), with 60% recycled content. Unlike injection molded trays, the material resists cracking and splitting. They are available for either 4” extensive and 8” intensive applications. Raised drain holes at the corners and along channels allow for 3/4” of storm water retention after rainfall. Tournesol.com
Since first pioneering the concept of underground tree anchoring in 1983, Platipus has designed, manufactured and supplied systems to secure, stabilize and irrigate trees on projects all over the world. Platipus tree anchoring systems allow for fast and easy installation and quick root development with low environmental impact. Below ground anchoring eliminates public hazards such as unsightly guy wires and stakes. Platipus.us
Part of the new STIHL 135 professional battery platform, the FSA 135 and FSA 135 R battery-powered trimmers are assembled in America and are game changers for professional landscapers. The trimmers feature an on-board battery slot that can support both an on-board battery or a backpack battery for even longer run times. Paired with a brushless motor and the same drive and cutting components used in proven STIHL professional gas trimmers, these units deliver professional cutting performance comparable to STIHL gas units with zero exhaust emissions and low noise. These trimmers are versatile for different cutting applications, including trimming, cutting and weed clearing. StihlUSA.com
Mowbot Powered by Husqvarna
Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, Mowbot launched in 2017 giving landscaping companies the opportunity to own a franchise. The monthly commercial and residential lawn service uses Husqvarna robotic lawn mowers and battery-powered hand-held equipment resulting in fewer emissions, less energy consumption and less noise. Robotic mowers also result in a healthier, more resilient and much greener lawn requiring less fertilizer and less irrigation. Mowbot.com
Peacock Pavers
Based in Alabama, Peacock Pavers is one of the country’s leading concrete paver manufacturers. Peacock Pavers specializes in manufacturing architectural-grade, handcrafted concrete pavers that emulate the beauty and texture of ancient stone—at a surprisingly affordable price. Peacock Pavers offers a variety of handcrafted concrete pavers for many different design applications, from interior flooring to exterior landscaping and driveway paving. Made from recyclable architectural-grade concrete, Peacock Pavers are friendly to the environment, require minimal fuel to produce and qualify for many LEED-certified projects. PeacockPavers.com