The latest award from the Garden Centre Association recognises Stewarts Garden Centre in Christchurch as being top for Environment and Community in the country.

For some years Stewarts in Christchurch has been keen to reduce the waste that goes to landfill sites to a minimum and has focused on recycling glass, paper, cardboard, plastics, polystyrene, wrap and green waste through various initiatives and agencies who can put the by-products of the business to good use.

The introduction of rainwater collection and the introduction of beehives has boosted their already green credentials, as well as a ban on plastic straws and single-use coffee cups.

Terry Head, retail and marketing director of the Stewarts Garden Centres, said that food waste from the busy coffee shop is also being collected for projects and the used coffee grounds are offered to customers as free fertiliser due to the high nitrogen content.

“The award also recognises the events and features we create for the community and the fundraising for charity which exceeded £20,000 in 2017,” said Terry Head. “This is only achieved thanks to the effort that our team makes to enhance our corporate responsibility to our region.”

The Stewarts Centres at Broomhill near Wimborne and Titchfield in Hampshire have also adopted the ‘less to landfill’ policy and recognise the need to preserve the natural habit important to the existence of wildlife and the ecosystem.