Nowadays, we very often hear about sustainability and especially greenwashing, so-called superficial environmentalism, which unfortunately many multinationals adopt for convenience. Fortunately, we (Agri-Geuna ®) are a small farm and can call ourselves sustainable. Why should you believe us?
Let me show you firsthand the little things we try to do in our daily operations. In addition to the organic philosophy, another attitude we share is recycling or reuse.
Firstly, our products produce what most people would consider “waste” before obtaining the product you ordered. Some examples are hazelnut shells, hazelnut trimmings, and saffron flowers. The shells can be reused as fuel in pellets or wood fireplaces to start the fire, or serve as a mulching element (reducing the growth of weeds in your garden or vegetable patch) with a dual aesthetic value, creating a rustic and welcoming environment, compared to the classic green tarp. Furthermore, for decoupage and DIY enthusiasts, it is an excellent material for decorations and crafts.
As for the trimmings, which we transform into bundles that are much easier to manage and order, they are recycled mainly for thermal and decorative use and for decoupage creations, but also for soil containment, fish farming, and more. A fish association that is our customer showed us a new use: they manage the biodiversity of a lake and the white hazelnut trimmings, once placed on the bottom, turn out to be perfect burrows/houses for the specific type of fish present in the lake. Hazelnut wood, being very flexible, can be used for weaving and sculptures.
As for the purple flowers of “Zafferanetto – the saffron of Villaretto,” once the stigmas are removed, they are edible. They are full-fledged edible flowers to be used in salads or as a scented centerpiece with a candle on top.
Secondly, all the orders we ship, if you notice, are contained in boxes from brands that are not ours, because we have decided to use recycled packaging. In fact, the boxes are provided to us by an IT company in Saluzzo, Newsoft Technology Srl, since they no longer need them. Once emptied of their contents, they should throw them away. We give them a second life and they reach you.
Thirdly, we have decided to place a drip tape system in the hazelnut groves to hydrate the hazelnut plants during the summer periods. First of all, this technique allows us to carry out precision irrigation without wasting the very important resource of water. Furthermore, in 1 of our hazelnut groves, we have installed an inflatable tank of 100,000 L, i.e., 100 cubic meters, storing water when there is a surplus for high crops or when it rains.
Fourthly, we do not use herbicides but mow the grass in alternating rows to preserve and increase biodiversity as a treatment for our plants. Some hazelnut diseases are treated with antagonists and not chemically.
To conclude, the environment surrounding us has already pointed out several times that it is at its limit, we try at least with small daily gestures to help it. We are many small drops, but the ocean without our drop is less full.
What actions do you take to be sustainable in your daily life? Comment below.