Otter Garden Centres has announced trials of an eco-friendly alternative to plastic plant pots.
The Bioplasmar eco-pots are 100 percent plastic-free, fully biodegradable and composed solely of composted waste wood fibre reclaimed from the construction industry.
When planted straight into the soil, eco-pots take around six months, depending on conditions, to break down and naturally amalgamate with the surroundings.
This technique will also help to lessen the risk of 'transplant shock' in plants.
Otter Garden Centres nursery manager, Arron Taylor, said: "It's been estimated that well over 500 million plastic plant pots are used in the UK each year, which is an astonishing figure.
“Although we and our customers have been recycling plastic pots for many years, ultimately an option like this is going to be so much better for the environment for the long term.”
Otter, the first garden centre in the country to introduce the pots, is testing them across its seven garden centres with selected plants.
Mr Taylor said: "We’re looking forward to receiving feedback from customers later in the year about how the pots and plants have performed in their gardens.
"We’re expecting great results!"
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here