Since the launch of the HortiFootprint Calculator (HFC), a tool developed jointly by MPS and LetsGrow.com, in April of last year, interest has only grown. The interest coming from the market and the press is beyond expectations. Several articles on the HFC appeared in North America, and we are getting more and more requests for explanations and presentations from the Netherlands as well.
At present, 100 national and international growers are signed up to the HortiFootprint Calculator. These growers mainly come from the Netherlands, Ethiopia, Kenya, Belgian, the USA, France, Spain and Turkey. They are primarily ornamentals producers, a few of whom also supply starting material.
As of last week, Hoogeveen Plants can be added to the above list as the 100th participant. This large producer of climbing plants in Hazerswoude-Dorp has more than 35 years’ experience in the cultivation and sales of garden plants. At Hoogeveen Plants, sustainability is not only a household word but also a way of contributing positively to the world around us. They are keen to further expand the positive impact of their green product and aim to be completely climate neutral in their production by 2030. Among other things, they are also MPS-ABC (A+), MPS-GAP and MPS-SQ certified.
“Our aim is to start producing climate positively,” says Luuk Lemkes, production planning and supply management assistant at Hoogeveen Plants. “The HortiFootprint Calculator is an excellent tool for this as it sheds light on emissions from raw materials and entire production processes. As garden plant producers, we are one of the few sectors that can actually offer true added value for a better, greener and more sustainable world. And Hoogeveen Plants wants to lead the way in this within the sector.”
MPS and LetsGrow.com are set to expand the HortiFootprint Calculator to include product-level calculation fully in line with FloriPEFCR legislation in early 2023. This means the calculator will be compatible with the upcoming legislation on horticultural footprint calculation and enables us to calculate the footprint of each product and product group.
