Peat is a valued but limited, natural resource. We recognize concerns regarding peat use and the fact that certain peat removal practices can negatively impact their natural environments. Accordingly, we have taken action to address these concerns in three ways.
1: Reduce peat content in our products
We are working to reduce the overall peat content in our U.S. products and limit its use to only those products in which it is a necessary ingredient, primarily our soils and potting mixes.
Since 2019, this initiative has reduced peat in Miracle-Gro Garden Soil by 52 percent and Miracle-Gro Potting Mix by over 29 percent. Miracle-Gro Organic products are peat free and made with upcycled green waste.
2: Seek peat alternatives
We seek peat alternative replacement fibers for our substrates, including wood fiber, rice hulls, coir, sugar cane bagasse and composted dairy fiber.
However, we must balance peat replacement with products that achieve the water retention and soil improvement that peat provides. Unfortunately many of these alternatives do not achieve the same results.
- Compost requires more water use, is more easily contaminated by raw materials and has more stability concerns that lead to issues with plant nutrition.
- Wood fiber has more variable PH levels.
- Coir often contains high salt content that can deplete plant growth.
While these results are not favorable, they do not stop us from searching for alternatives and innovating our growing media products to reduce peat.
3: Minimize impacts to the environment
As we source and use peat, we do so via best management practices and processes that minimize impacts to the environment, demonstrating our commitment to the preservation and restoration of these vital ecosystems.
We follow best peat management practices of SCS Global Services, a sustainability service provider and third-party certifier.
