GCA enhances inspection process

The GCA is enhancing its inspection process, with initial changes in 2021, and will work with its inspectors and Planet Mark to embed environmental factors within the whole process for future years.

Steve Malkin, Planet Mark CEO, said: “Planet Mark is absolutely delighted to be partnering with the GCA, helping their members to measure and report their environmental impacts, allowing them to identify areas for improvement in a structured way.

“Garden Centres contribute so much to their communities, both environmentally and socially, but retailers are aware that there are ways to go further by reducing carbon within their operations. Planet Mark’s aim is to support the GCA with its inspection process, helping members to become more sustainable. We must all work together to embrace sustainability and businesses across all sectors need to do their bit to mitigate climate change. The GCA has recognised that they and their members have a part to play and we’re very much looking forward to supporting them on this.”

Planet Mark empowers businesses to make changes that will shape a more sustainable world.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, explained: “Our members might recognise the name Planet Mark as representatives attended our 2020 conference and spoke to our members about what they could do to be more sustainable in their businesses and as individuals.

“Sir Tim Smit KBE, co-founder of The Eden Project teamed up with Planet Mark CEO and founder, Steve Malkin, in 2012. Together, they created the people-driven sustainability programme for any organisation of any size, in any sector, anywhere in the world.

“Tim was also one of our guest speakers at our 2020 conference and everything he said really resonated with our members, which is why we have joined forces with Planet Mark to ensure sustainability and environmental factors can be measured properly as part of our inspection process.”

In addition to the tie up with Planet Mark, the GCA will be working with and supporting the HTA’s ‘Sustainability Roadmap’.

For further information, please call 01244 952170. Alternatively, please visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/GardenCentreAssociation or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association.