POSTED 11/2025

2025 Winner – Sustainability practices in a project

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Indoor Plant Solutions

Reducing environmental footprint,
including efforts to minimise waste, energy consumption, and carbon emissions

The Tour de Cure project reflects Indoor Plant Solutions commitment to sustainability through intentional
design and operational rigour. Our motivation extends beyond environmental responsibility to
measurable outcomes: minimising waste, conserving energy, and reducing carbon emissions. Over 150
ex-rental plants were revitalised through our Twice as Green initiative, while seven standard-range pots
and client-owned tambour units were reused, preventing new production and landfill contributions.

This approach is supported by Indoor Plant Solutions Environmental Management System and ISO
9001:2016-aligned Quality Management System, which ensure every stage, from plant selection to
installation, is executed with efficiency and sustainability in mind. Sub-irrigation systems, careful
species selection, and energy-conscious maintenance practices were incorporated to reduce water use,
chemical intervention, and reliance on powered equipment

Our future sustainability goal is to expand Twice as Green nationwide, reinforcing a circular approach to
plant management that combines environmental, social, and operational benefits. The Tour de Cure
project exemplifies how structured systems and thoughtful design can deliver greenery that is not only
beautiful and restorative but also environmentally responsible, low-impact, and long-lasting.

Use of Sustainable Materials

Sustainability was central to every stage of the Tour de Cure project, beginning with careful plant selection.
Over 150 ex-rental plants were revitalised by our horticultural technicians, ensuring only healthy, thriving
greenery was installed. This approach maximised the lifespan of existing stock, avoided unnecessary new
plant production, and kept valuable plant material from going to waste.

Seven of our standard-range pots were donated, and client-owned tanner units were filled, further reducing
environmental costs associated with producing and transporting new containers. All containers were
chosen for durability and recyclability, supporting a circular lifecycle and enabling long-term reuse,
refurbishment, or repurposing at the end of their service life.

Water efficiency was achieved through sub-irrigation systems in every planter, regulating moisture,
reducing evaporation, and supporting consistent plant health. Low-maintenance species further decreased
water and fertiliser requirements, while hand tools and daylight-aligned servicing minimised energy
consumption during both installation and ongoing maintenance.

Combined, these material choices and operational practices created a resilient, low-impact installation
that balances aesthetic appeal with environmental responsibility. By prioritising reusable, long-lasting
materials and efficient plant care systems, the project demonstrates how thoughtful selection and
management of resources can deliver tangible sustainability outcomes across the full lifecycle of a
plantscape.

Resource Efficiency and Waste Management

Responsible resource management was central to the Tour de Cure project. Over 150 ex-rental plants were
revitalised, giving them a second life and avoiding the environmental cost of sourcing new stock. Seven
standard-range pots were donated, and client-owned tambour units were filled, further reducing the need
for additional containers. All containers were selected for durability and recyclability, supporting a circular
lifecycle and minimising waste.

Surplus or non-viable plants were either composted responsibly or repurposed for other projects, ensuring
no plant material was discarded unnecessarily. Sub-irrigation systems, low-maintenance species, and
careful monitoring of soil moisture, nutrients, and environmental conditions reduced the need for frequent
watering, fertiliser application, and labour-intensive maintenance.

These structured processes, governed by Indoor Plant Solutions Environmental Management System and
ISO 9001:2016 Quality Management standards, ensure that both plant and material resources are
optimised throughout the project lifecycle. By reducing waste, conserving water and energy, and
maintaining a circular approach to plant and container management, the project delivers measurable
environmental benefits while preserving long-term performance, resilience, and aesthetic integrity.

Through these measures, the Tour de Cure installation demonstrates how thoughtful resource
management creates a low-impact, sustainable, and operationally efficient indoor plantscape that
continues to provide value for years to come.

Innovation in Sustainability

Indoor Plant Solutions actively engages with the community through initiatives that combine environmental
responsibility with social impact. The Tour de Cure project is a strong example: Indoor Plant Solutions
donated the entire plant installation and continues to provide ongoing maintenance at no cost. More than
150 ex-rental plants, including seven of our standard-range pots, were revitalised through the Twice as
Green initiative, diverting them from landfill while creating a vibrant, restorative indoor environment.

Our team’s training in sustainable plant care ensures these practices are consistently applied, creating a
replicable model of low-impact, community-focused plantscaping. The installation contributes to
wellbeing, focus, and positivity for Tour de Cure staff, volunteers, and visitors, aligning with the charity’s
mission to foster hope and support cancer research.
Beyond individual projects, Indoor Plant Solutions shares knowledge on plant care, sustainable workplace
greening, and responsible resource management with clients, suppliers, and the broader community.
Guided by our Environmental Management System and circular lifecycle practices, we collaborate with
suppliers prioritising eco-friendly products and methods, ensuring that sustainability extends throughout
our operations and partnerships. Through these combined efforts, Indoor Plant Solutions demonstrates that
community engagement and sustainability can be integrated, delivering lasting benefits for both people
and the environment.

Long-Term Visibility and Adaptability

The sustainability of the Tour de Cure installation is maintained through a combination of resilient plant
selection, efficient systems, and structured ongoing management.

Sub-irrigation systems in all planters optimise water use and reduce maintenance frequency, while low
maintenance species thrive with minimal intervention.

Ongoing care follows a documented Horticultural Maintenance Plan and is guided by Indoor Plant Solutions
Environmental Management System and ISO 9001:2016 Quality Management standards. Trained,
uniformed technicians provide fortnightly servicing, coordinating with building operations to minimise
disruption. Their work includes tailored watering, dusting, pruning, turning plants to maintain design
intent, cleaning containers, monitoring soil moisture, pH, and nutrients, managing pests and disease, and
replacing plants as needed with like-for-like species. These regular inspections allow care schedules to
be adapted to seasonal conditions, plant growth, and environmental changes, conserving resources
while maintaining plant health. All containers are durable and recyclable, and at end-of-life are
refurbished, repurposed, or recycled, supporting a circular lifecycle. Combined with staff training, regular
quality audits, and environmentally conscious maintenance practices, these measures ensure the
installation remains vibrant, functional, and resource-efficient over the long term. This approach secures
both ecological and social benefits, sustaining the plantscape’s environmental and wellbeing impact well
into the future.

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