Plastic Free Gardening

Natural Rubber: A Better Way 

Unlike the plastics industry, which is controlled by a few massive multinationals, natural rubber is an entirely sustainable product grown by small farmers or on plantations. Plastic-Free Gardening sources only from suppliers whose plantations are certified not to replace natural forests. Due to the current meagre price of natural rubber, many rubber plantings are threatened from conversion to palm oil or beef production. So when you buy our seed trays, you ensure the survival of a valuable, natural resource.

Rubber trees are ‘tapped’ by small farmers or plantation workers, in theory providing an essential source of revenue. However, at present, the price for natural rubber does not even cover the cost of productions. But because we are members of the Fair Rubber Association, we pay our primary suppliers a Fair Trade premium of EUR 0.50 kg/DRC (Dry Rubber Content) - at present, almost 40% above world market prices. This helps improve the working and living conditions of the primary producers and ensures environmentally friendly, sustainable production. Our primary source of natural rubber is also FSC certified.