The Responsible Sourcing Scheme (RSS) is an industry-led initiative making it easy to identify environmentally responsible growing media. The RSS encourages informed choice by rating growing media products on their environmental impact. With our easy-to-understand A – E “traffic light” scoring (A = most responsible), you can quickly see which growing media products are better for the planet.
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Why Responsible Sourcing Matters
Peat was once the go-to ingredient in growing media, but its extraction comes at a high environmental cost. In the UK, a prospective ban on peat spurred the industry to innovate and fund sustainable alternatives. However, switching to other growing media materials isn’t automatically better, as each alternative must be carefully assessed for its environmental impact. That’s where responsible sourcing comes in. It ensures that every component of growing media is evaluated against a rigorous criteria and improved so that growing media mixes have a lower impact on our planet. Industry leaders, government agencies, NGOs, and environmental groups have all recognised the need and joined forces to drive change through the RSS.
Benefits of Membership
Manufacturers: Achieve credible environmental sustainability credentials for your products. RSS membership means independent proof of your responsible practices, helping you stand out in the market and meet emerging regulations. You’ll identify areas for improvement through the scoring process and showcase your commitment by using the RSS logo on packaging and marketing.
Retailers: Build trust with eco-conscious customers by stocking RSS-rated growing media products. As a member, you can use the RSS badge on your own-brand products (once they meet the standards), showing that your range aligns with sustainability goals. By promoting RSS in-store and online, you not only meet consumer demand for environmentally responsible products but also reinforce your reputation for environmental leadership.
Growers: Ensure the growing media you rely on is sustainably sourced. By choosing RSS-approved materials or becoming a member yourself, you can confidently meet client and supply-chain demands for greener practices. You’ll be able to display the RSS member mark in your business communications as a practical way to show that, as a grower, you’re part of the solution.
Supporters: Not a grower, retailer or manufacturer, but still want to support the movement? Become an RSS Scheme Supporter. Whether you’re a gardening organisation, educational body, sustainability advocate or individual, you can show your backing for responsible sourcing and help amplify the message. Supporters receive recognition on our website, access to scheme updates, and the right to use the RSS “Supporter” logo in communications, demonstrating your alignment with environmental responsibility in horticulture.
How the RSS Works
Scoring: Every significant raw material in a product is evaluated across seven key sustainability factors:
We convert this data into a simple grade for each product, giving it a rating from “A” to “E”. This transparent scoring system lets both professionals and home gardeners instantly gauge how responsibly sourced a growing media mix is. A green ‘A’ label means a product is among the most environmentally responsible products, whereas a yellow ‘C’ or a lower grade indicates more room for improvement. All RSS scores are publicly available, and you can even search our online database to filter products by rating, peat-free status, and more, empowering you to find the best environmentally responsible option for your needs.
Independent Audits: Credibility is key. Which is why all RSS member manufacturers undergo regular independent third-party audits to verify that their sourcing and production meet our strict standards. These audits and reviews ensure that what’s printed on the bag reflects the reality that the materials and processes behind each product truly align with responsible sourcing criteria. By holding companies accountable through audits, the scheme builds trust and drives continuous improvement across the industry.
Supporting Peat-Free Transition: The RSS isn’t just about scores; it’s about guiding progress. We actively support the industry’s transition to peat-free growing media. Through collaboration with retailers, NGOs and manufacturers, we’re supporting the spreading of consistent, clear information about peat-free growing media to gardeners across the UK. The message is simple: you can grow beautifully without peat, and we’re here to help you do it in an environmentally responsible way
Join the Scheme
Ready to take the next step? By joining the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, you become part of a community dedicated to sustainable, environmentally responsible growing media. Whether you’re a producer, a retailer, or a large-scale grower, RSS membership helps you lead by example – and it gives you the right to proudly display the RSS logo as proof of your commitment. You’ll receive guidance, gain recognition in the marketplace, and contribute to a greener future for gardening. Join the Scheme today and help shape a more sustainable future for our industry and our environment!
Find a Product – Explore Our Scores
Looking for an environmentally responsible growing media? Use our Find a Product tool to explore all the RSS-rated products. You can filter by brand, peat-free status, product type, and more to discover the growing media that best fits your needs. It’s never been easier to find responsibly sourced options; our database puts the information at your fingertips.
Search for member products HERE.