How Planter Protect Ltd Gained a Competitive Advantage with an EPD

Planter Protect Case Study

Planter Protect Limited specialise in PET resin GRP planter inserts, designed to sit within bespoke planters to provide durable, waterproof protection. Their solutions help extend the lifespan of surrounding joinery while making installation and maintenance more efficient. Sustainability has always been important to the business, alongside a commitment to improving transparency around environmental impact. 

Planter Protects' Challenges

As demand for sustainable construction products continues to grow, Planter Protect wanted a science-based understanding of the environmental impact of their products. 

They needed to:

• Quantify and validate the environmental impact of their planter inserts
• Provide credible sustainability data at design and specification stage
• Support wider project requirements including BREEAM, WELL and LEED
• Identify opportunities for improvement and guide future decision-making
• Move beyond general sustainability claims with verified evidence.

Our Approach

Tunley Environmental worked with Planter Protect to complete a full Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for their planter inserts. This work was completed by Dr Gareth Davies, a Senior Scientist and Carbon Co-Lead at Tunley. The work completed was verified externally and submitted to Planter Protects chosen EPD Programme Operator (PO), EPD International.

The project included:

• Conducting a rigorous Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Collecting and analysing detailed environmental data
• Ensuring compliance with international EPD standards
• Managing third-party verification and publication through EPD International.

The Impact

The EPD has given Planter Protect greater transparency, credibility and confidence in communicating their sustainability performance.

Key impacts included:

• Verified environmental data to support client decision-making
• Improved alignment with BREEAM, WELL and LEED requirements
• Enhanced specification opportunities within the construction sector
• Greater confidence in communicating sustainability credentials
• A clearer understanding of environmental impacts and improvement opportunities.

The Results

By completing a verified EPD, Planter Protect gained a competitive advantage within the construction sector, enabling the business to provide trusted environmental data to architects, specifiers and contractors. The process created a clear foundation for future sustainability improvements and more informed decision-making across the business.

• Successfully published a verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
• One of the only planter insert manufacturers with a validated EPD
• Strengthened credibility with architects, specifiers and contractors
• Improved ability to support sustainability-focused construction projects
• Created a robust foundation for future sustainability improvements.

Carrying out the LCA has given us credibility and transparency. We can now provide verified data rather than general claims. it helps our clients meet regulations and gives them the data they need across the whole building project. 

Toni Jolin, Director | Planter Protect