Growing Media Producers Association Urges the Ministry of Environment to Start Engaging in a Dialogue on Peatland Reclamation

Growing Media Producers Association (ATGA) emphasizes that the challenges posed by climate change and the depletion of natural resources require responsible and sustainable practices across all industries. With its sustainability strategy in place, ATGA calls on the Ministry of Environment to engage in more active discussions and decision-making to promote responsible resource use, reduce waste, and lower carbon dioxide emissions, especially in the area of peatland reclamation, which is particularly important for the sector.

According to ATGA Executive Director Giedrius Kavaliauskas, who represents the majority of Lithuanian companies in the growing media industry, the foundation of any strategy is focus and commitment. He adds that achieving the goals of the strategy requires dialogue with government institutions that establish legislative norms regulating business operations.

“We understand the importance of balancing the use of peatland resources with the preservation of our natural ecosystems. The industry has significantly evolved. In the past, we were more focused on peat extraction. Currently, over 90% of our members are growing medium producers, and we are focused on sustainability. Our goal is to be a sustainable industry. Our members already apply the highest standards and best practices in their operations, using peatlands with consideration for environmental, social, and economic aspects.” It is also worth noting that ATGA is one of the first associations in Lithuania to introduce and officially confirm a Sustainability Strategy that complies with EU Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS),” said G. Kavaliauskas.

According to him, ecology and sustainability are crucial issues for the industry. This is particularly relevant for growing medium production, as, like in many other sectors, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions are monitored.

“We aim to engage in dialogue with institutions regarding greenhouse gas emissions, make adjustments to legal acts concerning the return of used peatlands to nature in phases, and encourage everyone to contribute to reducing the peat industry’s environmental impact and meeting national climate change mitigation commitments,” stressed G. Kavaliauskas.

“We aim to engage in dialogue with institutions regarding greenhouse gas emissions, make adjustments to legal acts concerning the return of used peatlands to nature in phases, and encourage everyone to contribute to reducing the peat industry’s environmental impact and meeting national climate change mitigation commitments,” stressed G. Kavaliauskas. He emphasized that companies are obligated to restore the peatland in the areas where peat has been extracted.

“Given the regulations and our desire to contribute to Climate Change Policy, our members propose carrying out reclamation in phases, without waiting for the end of the entire extraction process. Phased reclamation would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ‘trap and lock’ them, which in the future would partially compensate for the CO2 emissions generated by the companies’ activities,” said G. Kavaliauskas.

The European horticulture and gardening industries are actively working to reduce peat use in growing mediums by replacing it with alternative renewable raw materials, and Lithuanian companies are also taking decisive steps in this area.

“Lithuanian companies are already using various alternative raw materials: wood fibers, perlite, coconut fiber, bark compost, and sapropel. These materials help create optimal growing conditions for plants while reducing peat usage in growing mediums. Companies closely cooperate with local growers and scientists, looking for new solutions, improving growing medium compositions, and offering new embedding technologies. This collaboration is essential in finding effective peat alternatives and ensuring that new materials meet both agronomic requirements and environmental standards,” noted G. Kavaliauskas.

In Lithuania, peatlands cover about 650 thousand hectares, of which the media growing industry uses about 2%, or just under 14 thousand hectares. Currently, nearly all peat extracted in Lithuania is used for horticulture and growing medium production. It is important to note that the association’s companies have completely stopped peat extraction for energy purposes (e.g., for fuel), further strengthening their commitment to sustainable and responsible operations.