Blog: Harnessing Nature: Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future
Harnessing Nature: Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future
We regularly emphasise the benefits of nature-based solutions to help address environmental challenges including climate change, water security, soil preservation and biodiversity loss. This approach of working with nature, rather than trying to control or replace it, has significant benefits, including helping to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels and greenhouse gas emissions.
Examples include restoring ecosystems such as wetlands and woodlands, regenerative farming practices, and integrating nature such as trees, wildflowers, green roofs and walls into urban areas. Steps are now being taken to broaden their adoption, including implementing Local Nature Recovery Strategies, introduced in the Environment Act 2021, to manage nature recovery actions across England.
Embracing a nature-driven strategy
Our repurposed soils and clays incorporate discarded minerals from local construction, demolition projects and waste management facilities. Our formulations are developed in line with nature-based approaches and are designed to support biodiversity projects, help wildflowers to thrive, aid water management and soil preservation. We’re undertaking ongoing independent research into the development of our mineral compositions, to demonstrate their effectiveness and the environmental benefits of a nature-integrated approach. Two current key areas of our studies are:
- Natural treatment of our recycled soils
We are currently testing natural treatment methods for our recycled soils within a clay void. These underground open spaces or cavities lined with clay can be natural or engineered. Known for their adsorptive capacity, permeability, and density, clay voids influence how water, air, and contaminants move through the soil. Our recycled soils are benefiting significantly from being aerated, hydrated, and rehydrated within the clay void. Early results indicate this gradual treatment through natural processes leads to a healthier soil ecosystem. Ultimately, this improves fertility and nutrient availability in our soils, to help boost your biodiversity projects, including the cultivation of wildflower plants.
- Preserving soil with plant power
Soil degradation and erosion is a significant environmental concern, often resulting from historical industrial practices or intensive farming. Traditional remediation techniques, such as excavation and chemical treatments, can be expensive, disruptive, and environmentally damaging. Phytoremediation, the use of plants to remove contaminants from the environment, presents a promising alternative.
Wildflowers, known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in various conditions, could be particularly effective for phytoremediation. They not only enhance the landscape but also support local biodiversity. We are in the process of turning part of our old landfill site into an ecosystem where wildflowers and insects will thrive. We are exploring opportunities to evaluate the Phytoremediation process at the end of the growing season.
Watch this space for more research findings and please get in touch with us to explore how we can help you in your nature-based approach to protecting the environment.
