GreenUP Product Guide

Every one of us has the ability to make a positive difference to the health of our amazing planet, and this can be something as simple as selecting gardening products that have a low environmental impact rating. Overuse of any garden product can lead to chemical and nutrient pollution in our waterways as well as potentially impacting on beneficial critters in our own garden.  So knowing which product to select, when faced with a plethora of ‘plantastic products’ in the local garden centre, can be very daunting. That’s where the Sustainable Gardening Australia Environmental Rating Guide comes in.

Picking the Right Products

SGA promotes non-chemical methods to prevent pest and disease problems in the garden as the first line of defence, but there are times when gardeners will want to choose a chemical solution.  When faced with this decision, then choose one of the low environmental impact alternatives from our Green Up Product Guide – Mother Nature will thank you for it!  All of the products listed here have achieved an SGA Low Environmental Impact rating, and all products are periodically re-assessed to ensure that any changes to formulations, packaging or active ingredients have been accounted for.  Oh, and just so you know, SGA does not endorse any product or receive financial benefit from the sale of any of these products.

Pest Control Solutions
Bugs, slugs, aphids and other things that munch and crunch on your precious plants.

Plant Diseases
Spots, wilts, fungi, moulds and other plant problems.

Weed Control Solutions
Dealing with those unwanted garden interlopers.

Garden Fertilisers
Healthy eating habits for the slim, trim, taut and terrific plants in your garden.

Soil Improvers
Its dirty work but someone’s got to do it… the sustainable way!

Wetting Agents
Water, water every where and not a drop to drink!

Miscellaneous Products

About The GreenUP Guide
SGA, in conjunction with the University of Melbourne (Burnley), have developed a world first environmental impact rating system for garden chemicals, fertilisers and soil conditioners. The assessment uses information provided on the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and packaging information of each product, and focuses on the ecological impacts of the products (e.g. does the product harm non-target insects, is the product mobile through air, soil or water?).

The assessment system, at this stage, does not take into account a Life Cycle Analysis (e.g how much energy was used in making the product?) apart from product packaging. All products assessed are then rated by SGA as a low, medium, or high environmental impact product, letting consumers know exactly how their chosen product may impact the immediate and wider environment and the health of our planet, both now and in the future.

Ladybird pic © Elaine Shallue (SGA)