In the Netherlands in 2024, renewable raw materials made up 33% of substrates and potting soil used in the professional market, according to the annual report of the Convenant Milieu-impact Potgrond en Substraten (Covenant on the Environmental Impact of Potting Soil and Substrates). Growth in the consumer market, however, has stalled.
The first copy of the report was presented by current chairman Gerard Schouw to his predecessor, Arne Weverling, who is now a provincial executive in South Holland.
The Covenant, signed in 2022 by fifteen organizations including government bodies, industry groups, and NGOs, aims to cut the environmental impact of potting soil and growing media. It promotes renewable raw materials, responsible peat extraction, and collaboration through innovation and knowledge-sharing. Progress is monitored independently and transparently, with annual figures published by the sector and, since 2024, verified by an external auditor.
© Convenant Milieu-impact Potgrond en Substraten / Arenda OomenGerard Schouw and Arne Weverling
More RHP as well
With renewable raw materials now making up 33% of substrates, the Covenant is close to its 2025 target of 35%. The share of RPP-certified peat has also grown, rising from 70% to 83%. In the consumer market, however, renewable use has stalled at 54%, which remains below the 60% goal. Compost use remains lower than expected, but other milestones have been reached. These include the Route and Opportunities Map, preparations for the "Aardige Aarde" (Kind Earth) consumer campaign, and the introduction of substrate reuse under RHP certification.
Covenant chairman Gerard Schouw highlighted the progress so far: "We can be proud of our achievements and the strong cooperation within the Covenant. In the coming years, we will focus more on raising awareness, because the need for sustainable substrates is greater than many people realize."
Consumer market
The consumer market aims for substrates to contain 60% renewable raw materials by 2025. In 2024, the share remained at 54%, halting the steady progress of previous years. On the positive side, peat use declined slightly. Slower growth is largely due to renewable materials being prioritized for the professional market, which reduces availability for consumer products. This highlights the close link between the two markets: the professional market uses more than 6.1 million cubic meters, compared to about 1.3 million in the consumer market.
"Important social theme"
Arne Weverling was chairman of the Covenant on Environmental Impact of Potting Soil and Substrates until July 1, 2024, and has since been a provincial executive for the Province of South Holland: "Potting soil is a very important social theme. After all, without potting soil, there is no healthy plant-based food or plants and no green living environment. It is therefore good to see that the goals of the Covenant are coming closer and that great strides have been made. A fine example is the renewable percentage of 33% in the professional market."
Source: Covenant on Environmental Impact of Potting Soil and Substrates. Read the annual report here.
