The phrase ‘eco-friendly’ is like the new ‘fat free;’ all too often used as a marketing tool rather than a statement of principle. At Garden Boutique we’re always looking into new developments in the field of eco-friendly materials and technologies, but we’re suitably skeptical of claims to ‘greenness.’ So we’ve put together a quick guide to some common ‘eco-friendly’ materials that takes into account the debates and drawbacks that surround their use.

Coir is a coarse, strong fibre made from the layer of tissue between the husk and the shell of a coconut. It’s increasingly being used as an insulating material and as an alternative to plastic, in everything from plant pots to door matts and furniture. It’s strong, absorbs water whilst retaining its shape, and earns eco-credentials because it’s made from a sustainable resource (coconut trees) that is also biodegradable. The pith of the coconut, which was once considered a waste product, takes about 20 years to biodegrade but is now being used as a mulch or added to compost.

One of the significant drawbacks of using coir is that its main exporters are Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India which means that while much of it is fair trade, and an important source of income to communities in these countries, it can be difficult to find out how it was processed and produced. Similarly, the fact that coconut trees are not grown in the UK means that coir is always imported – a fact that adds airmiles and a considerable carbon footprint to what otherwise appears to be a brilliantly sustainable and eco-friendly material.

Based on the fact that we can’t source coir locally, at Garden Boutique we don’t stock anything coir. Other gardening shops and centres promote coir, especially for seedling and plant pots. Yet there have been so many industry innovations of late – recycled rubber, coffee cups and polystyrene for example – that coir really isn’t the only eco option. These alternatives don’t have to be costly either – it’s so easy to make seedling pots using newspaper, which is also biodegradable and a great way to recycle your weekly broadsheets. So until we can start growing coconuts in our back gardens, you won’t be seeing coir in our boutique!