Sustainability

Durable and Sustainable with Bootstrap Farmer

We believe in quality that lasts! Our trays and equipment from Bootstrap Farmer are designed to stand the test of time, reducing the need for replacements and minimizing waste. These sturdy, modular trays are perfect for all our growing needs, and they help us stay true to our sustainability values by using fewer resources over time.

Soil Smart & Healthy

We reuse and sterilise our soil to kill old seeds, mould, fungus-gnat eggs, and other nasties. This means we're reducing waste, cutting out the need to import fresh soil from hundreds of kilometres away, and keeping our crops healthy and thriving.

Nutrient Recycling

All those bits of soil that get sieved out? They don't go to waste. They get composted and eventually added back into our soil mix, boosting nutrients naturally and helping create even better microgreens in the future.

Energy Savvy

Our grow lights run at night when it's cooler, so we save energy by reducing the need for extra heating in winter and cooling in summer. Smart timing, happy microgreens, and a lower energy bill.

Solar-Powered

We've been harnessing sunshine since 2014! Our solar panels offset much of our electricity use, so some of the energy that powers our grow lights is literally free and renewable.

Renewable Energy

When the sun isn't enough, we use a power company that only buys electricity from renewable sources. That means our microgreens are powered by the cleanest energy we can find.

Hybrid Heroes

Our delivery vehicle is a hybrid, which saves fuel and reduces emissions while having the capabilities to tow our market trailer to Ashburton Farmers market. With the hybrid system, we actually get more power, torque, and efficiency than our old petrol car.

Reusable Everything

We have never used single-use packaging. Bring your own container or take one of our paper bags. Either way, your microgreens come to you fresh and without adding plastic waste to the world.

Learn how our delivery and reusable container system works →

Pest Control, Naturally

Fungus gnats are a nightmare for growers, so we tackle them at the source with soil sterilisation instead of chemicals. Healthy soil means fewer pests, fewer diseases, and better crops for everyone.

Water-Wise

We're planning a water catchment and recycling system to reuse water from washing trays. This will save hundreds of litres of water per wash, while keeping everything squeaky clean. We plan to setup drip irrigation for the vegetable gardens in the near future to manage those times when there just isn't enough rain. Keeping the soil moist only where it needs to be is far better than spraying water over large areas.

Heating Efficiency

We're designing a counter-flow air-to-air heat exchanger to recycle heat in our grow space. Our goal? Recover up to 95% of the heat in winter so we can keep our space warm without using extra energy.