From cultivation to compost

At Ambius, circular practices lie at the heart of our operations; from the eco-conscious cultivation of our plants to material reuse, re-cultivation, and the responsible processing of plants that have reached the end of their aesthetic lifespan. We focus on circular solutions that maximize reuse and eliminate waste, supporting responsible workplace environments with a reduced ecological footprint.

Closing the Loop with the Ambius Green Circle

Our approach follows a 9-step framework designed to deliver circular solutions across all our services:

Step 1: We accept end-to-end responsibility across our supply chain by embedding circular practices in close collaboration with our suppliers, actively lowering our environmental impact.

Step 2: We guide clients towards long-life, circular planters. For bespoke requirements, we partner with suppliers who utilize 100% recycled polystyrene. Our plants are sourced from the Nieuwkoop nursery, renowned for eco-conscious cultivation and third-party certified transparency.

Steps 3 & 4: We meet with suppliers quarterly to advance circular goals. Through an active pilot, we are trialling shipments free from single-use plastic, styrofoam, and cardboard—replacing them with reusable wraps, crates, roll containers, and covers to eliminate disposable packaging.

Step 5: We have replaced the majority of our packaging with reusable protective covers. This removes the need for shrink-wrap during transport, driving a 68% reduction in overall packaging materials.

Step 6: Our team utilizes electric vehicles for low- and zero-emission travel. Our specialists service plants regularly to extend their lifespan and ensure top quality, using biodegradable plant feeds and eco-responsible pest management products such as Spruzit-R and Promanal-R concentrate.

Step 7: Plants no longer meeting premium grade are returned to our greenhouse for care and redeployment. Returned plants with representative aesthetic value are re-cultivated in-house. By using captured, filtered, and recirculated water, zero water is wasted.

Step 8: We prioritize reuse over recycling (in line with Lansink’s ladder of waste management). We reuse clay granules, water meters, and culture pots. Healthy returned plants are given a second life through our Green Return programme, while plants that have fully lost decorative value are 100% converted into biomass for compost or green gas production.

Step 9: Recycling is undertaken only when reuse is no longer feasible. Used clay granules are processed for road construction via De Putman Groep. Non-reusable planters are baled in our greenhouse to reduce transport vehicle trips; manufacturers then grind them into granulate to produce new, 100% recyclable planters made from recycled polystyrene.