Sustainability with Solus

A look at the growth for sustainability in garden design and garden products and how Solus Decor are working to ensure that this a clear focus in their products and business.

You couldn’t escape the desire for sustainability and more eco conscious gardens in the Society of Garden Designer style predictions for 2020; recycling and repurposing items,  planting for wildlife, edible flowers and romantic vegetable plots all featured in the 2020 design trends.  This comes as no surprise as climate change and sustainability is now part of every day discussion and we are all approaching lifestyle and design with a greater emphasis on the need for sustainability in all aspects of our lives.

We have been steadily improving our sustainability in both our products and the company as a whole as we recognise how important this is as an international business and this starts at the very core of the business and the products we create.  We believe that sustainability and durability go hand in hand so we create products designed to last a lifetime to counteract the throwaway culture that has become an increasing problem in today’s society.

We recognise that in the world of building products there is no such thing as a totally “sustainable” material. Rather, we can use materials in ways that provide for the best opportunity for sustainable use. We design our concrete and our products with this goal in mind.

Sustainability at Solus:

Recycling

• Wood is recycled into wood pellets for high-efficiency stoves
• Containers are recycled into various consumer products
• Paper and cardboard are recycled
• Rejected concrete is crushed and used as aggregate and fill
• Wash water is filtered,  treated and then reused

Power

Our manufacturing is largely human powered. Concrete is cured at ambient temperatures with no superheating required

Indoor Air Quality

When cured, our concrete off-gases nothing more than trace amounts of water

Local Materials

We utilize largely locally sourced and manufactured materials.

Embodied Energy

When initial and recurring embodied energy are considered together, (i.e. the overall energy to produce and maintain our products) our concrete performs better than most other materials in comparable use according to Canadian Architect.

Office Materials

Wherever possible we use recycled, reusable and refillable office products.

Sustainable Solus Products

Water Features: Traditionally any water feature is another way of wasting water as they require a constant water supply.  However the Scupper, Water Dome and new Pacific Rim is the exception to this, all our water products are self circulating  and simply require a power supply to allow the small amount of water to circulate and provide the tranquil sound of flowing water.

Fire Pits: We offer a variety of fuels for our concrete fire pits; natural gas, LPG and bio fuel. Our gas fire pits provide a more energy efficient alternative to a wood fire pit.  They provide a clean flame, that is quick to light, efficient and designed to last as gas burns more cleanly and produces fewer emissions into the atmosphere. The use of gas also eliminates the release of fine particles caused by wood smoke that can cause respiratory issues and prolonged exposure can cause long term health issues. For those looking to avoid gas completely we also offer a bio fuel option eliminating the need for any gas supply but still providing the same warmth and ambiance provided by the gas fire pits with the ultimate in flexibility within your outdoor space.

As we continue to design and produce our signature concrete products, sustainability and durability remains at the forefront of the process and we continue to evolve our processes throughout all aspects of the business.  Get in touch with us to find out more about our products and approach to sustainability.