Doing something good for the environment and your wallet

The long-term trend towards a more aware and sustainable consumer culture 

No matter whether it’s in the sphere of politics, business or society at large – the term ‘sustainability’ is on everybody’s lips. The fact that this topic is gaining ever more traction among consumers is highlighted by the latest research: according to a survey, nearly half of participating consumers take seriously the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions and consciously make more sustainable choices when shopping.¹ 

In terms of consumers’ expectations of manufacturers, it becomes apparent that sustainability is now very much an established component of the expected product- and service-quality.² It is important to passionate gardeners that their gardening tools are produced in as environmentally friendly a manner as possible and that they can be at least partially recycled. Furthermore, they want the products to be easily repairable, and for the appropriate replacement parts to remain available to purchase over a longer period of time.³

“Bag it up, chuck it away”: the extent of our throwaway culture and its impact  

The change in consumer behaviour is leading to a necessary transformation in the as yet still prevalent throwaway and consumerist culture. The manufacture, transport, use and disposal of new products have a major environmental impact. Limited resources are being depleted more quickly; greenhouses gases damage the climate; and the amount of waste produced is growing. Thus in 2019, around 54 million tons (Mt) of electrical waste was produced globally, of which 1.6 Mt was generated in Germany and 12 Mt in Europe as a whole – and this is only set to grow.⁴  We are at the point where we still generate much more waste than we recycle. One of the most frequently-named reasons for new product purchases is the poor repairability of products and the high cost of repairs.⁵

This development is to be countered with the aid of the new EU Ecodesign Directive coming into effect this year. The Directive will place greater obligations on manufacturers in terms of the repairability and longevity of their products. For example, replacement parts must be made available to consumers for up to seven years, and repair instructions provided.

On the way towards sustainable gardening 

As part of the “Sustainovate” sustainability programme, Gardena – as a member of the Husqvarna Group – is implementing a suite of measures in order to offer amateur gardeners options for environmentally friendly gardening. One of the fundamental goals is to permanently further reduce the CO₂ footprint along the entire value chain as well as in terms of product usage.  

The longevity and high quality of its products is of key importance to Gardena. Its products are made of carefully selected raw materials that are free from toxins and sourced from certified suppliers. When gardeners reach for a GARDENA combisystem Wooden Handle, for example, they are holding high-quality wood that is certified in accordance with the standards of the Forest Stewardship Councils (FSC) and sourced from sustainably managed forests. 

In order to ensure high product quality, Gardena subjects its products to extensive hardness and precision testing so that they will provide many years of use under the demanding conditions of everyday gardening. Here the processed plastics must resist temperature shocks ranging from minus 10 to plus 60 degrees Celsius; grass shears must master 7,500 metres of lawn edge; secateurs must endure 5,000 cuts into hard beechwood; and watering sprayers must withstand more than 12 cycles at up to 6 Bar. Gardena products are thoroughly put through their paces to ensure that amateur gardeners will be able to use them for many years to come. Warranty periods of up to 30 years guarantee lasting satisfaction.  

And if a beloved hose trolley should happen to break, consumers have the opportunity to repair it themselves with replacement parts, or – in the event of a more complex repair – make use of Gardena’s own repair service. The website gardena.com features a comprehensive selection of replacement parts, including for models that haven’t been in the product range for nearly a decade. 

Simple steps towards more sustainable consuming 

It only takes a few simple steps to consume more sustainably in everyday life.  

1.  Consult the manufacturer regarding warranty periods, the materials used and the repair options before buying a product. Repair products instead of throwing them away. 
2. Buy products with as wide a range of applications as possible. In this context, also keep a lookout for appropriate manufacturer collaborations, such as the Power for All Battery Alliance System, of which Gardena is also a member. This single battery system for several cross-brand devices means that accumulations of non-compatible batteries, chargers and cables are a thing of the past.
3. If a beloved product breaks, it is worth checking whether it can be purchased in used or refurbished condition. Exchange platforms, repair cafés or workshops might be the right ports of call here.  
4. If you only require the product for one-off use, you can sometimes hire it from a DIY store or online rental portal. 
5. If a product is no longer needed, yet still fully functional – why not give it to someone else? Charities and re-use organisations are happy to receive donations. 
6. Treasured products can simply be sold on using exchange portals or online marketplaces. 

Footnotes:

1 Survey of the consulting firm Accenture (2020)
2 PwC Consumer Insight Study (2019)
3 Consumer survey Gardena (2020)
4 Global E-Waste Monitor (2020)
5 Background paper of the German Federal Environment Agency (2020)