Impact at Patch
At Patch, our vision is for a greener – not greyer – world. That’s not just about celebrating the beauty of plants, but helping to protect our planet through responsible business practices. As part of arena.online, our parent company, we’ve been working hard to better understand and improve the impact we’re having on the planet, our society and the communities we serve. Created in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, our responsible business strategy outlines our plans to help create a more sustainable future.
Our sustainability journey so far
Quality plants and easy care
We source all of our plants from top-rated growers who hold the Royal FloraHolland A1 badge of quality, making sure our customers only receive the best. We pride ourselves on offering simple, easy-to-follow advice, and all of the plants in our range come with care guidance, giving our leafy friends the best chance of survival. The majority of our plants are low maintenance or (almost) unkillable and don’t require any previous experience to take care of, and our team are always on hand to help with any questions.
Recyclable materials
We’re working with our suppliers to reduce packaging and, where possible, eliminate single-use plastic. We now use padded paper, not bubble wrap, to protect products in transit. We’ve sourced paper and cardboard packaging that is FSC certified or made with 99% recycled material, and everything you receive in your deliveries is either recyclable, compostable or reusable. The plastic pots we sell are produced by Elho, which has been a certified B Corporation since January 2021. The pots Elho produces are made with at least 85% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable. The power to manufacture them is generated by 100% wind energy.
Giving plants a second life
Sometimes we find ourselves with a few more plants than we intended, but we never let them go to waste. Our excess plants and pots have been donated to local SEND schools and Children’s Services near our headquarters in Droitwich Spa, or offered to customers at a reduced rate. For example, since 2023 we’ve been partnering with The Green Fingers Project, part of Worcestershire Country Council’s Children’s Services, and to date we have donated more than 150 waste plants to the charity.
Reducing peat
Peat, formed by the decomposition of bog plants, plays a vital role in reducing greenhouse gasses. Peat stores carbon, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas). It’s also an important environment for a huge range of wildlife. We’re not alone in wanting to remove the use of peat in the horticultural industry, and we’re working closely with our growers to reduce the amount in our range, with the aim to remove it from our products completely. It takes time, but we are reducing the amount of peat year on year, with 16% of our range currently 100% peat free. We also don’t sell any peat-based compost, and all of the compost we use for our business installations is 100% peat free too.
Supporting our favourite charities
We’re proud to have supported a number of charities close to our hearts, from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to Smart Works, the Terrance Higgins Trust, Galop and Future Dreams. Our recent partnerships include raising money for Scottish Action for Mental Health through the sale of our Penny the Chinese Money plant, decorating a Smart Works pop-up shop, and gifting a reward to EARNT volunteers. We also donate our excess plants and pots to Furnishing Futures, a women’s charity that creates healing homes for women and children who’ve escaped domestic abuse.
