The original Eco-Haven™ and new Eco-Haven™ Sleeve grades have been specifically developed to offer the highest environmental credentials, and are made from a special plant based biopolymer, derived from sugarcane, which is biodegradable and non-toxic.
Crucially this means that both grades do not contain unsustainable conventional plastics, obtained from fossil fuels, that can pollute the environment with micro plastics.
The sugarcane used is GM free and a renewable and sustainable crop that is responsibly grown on degraded land, with a robust code of practice to protect the environment and workers.
At each stage of the manufacturing process emphasis is placed on minimising the impact on the environment with waste by-products such as pulp, ash and plant liquids being reused as fertiliser and to create renewable energy.
Eco-Haven™ Sleeve also incorporates 30% recycled content to help reduce landfill waste, conserve natural materials and improve manufacturing energy efficiency. While the lightweight structure uses between 30 and 40% less raw materials than rival solutions.
Sugarcane actively captures CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, while at the same time releasing oxygen, making this material not just green, but proactively green.
With their efficient design, both grades go beyond being carbon neutral, removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than is emitted from production to delivery to end user.
From field to your door every 1 tonne of both grades of Eco-Haven™ remove over 2 tonnes of CO21, and for an area of land equivalent to Wembley pitch (105 x 68m) nearly 2 tonnes of the biopolymer is produced from each sugarcane harvest.
1 Approx 2.1 tonnes of CO2 is removed from the atmosphere per tonne of Eco-Haven made and transported to end user this has been calculated from the LCA Study from cradle to gate conducted by ACV Brazil 2017, and independently verified by the Carbon Trust, with subsequent transport and conversion based on European Chemical Transportation Association and British Plastics Federation guidelines.
Left in contact with the soil our shelters slowly decompose biologically2 through the combined action of micro organisms (bacteria and fungi), temperature and humidity, breaking down into nutrient rich compost to leave no future hazards for wildlife and maintenance, without the need to remove and commercially compost them.
Beware some products that claim to be “biodegradable” are only biodegradable based on industrial composting standards, which do not reflect natural conditions. The biopolymer used in both grades of Eco-Haven™ has been tested to ASTM D5988, which simulates field conditions, and ASTM D5511, which simulates landfill conditions, for more realistic results.
2 Tested to:
ASTM D5988-18 Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil – for in-situ field conditions
ASTM D5511-18 Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions – for landfill conditions
Both Eco-Haven™, and Eco-Haven™ Sleeve, are made from a unique tough biopolymer which is also resistant to herbicides and pesticides.
Eco-Haven™ Original is made from a 500 micron thick sheet with a UV and service life expectancy of 5 to 7 years. The tough solid sheets resist abrasion against posts, protect against accidental strimmer damage and the tubular form is more crush resistant than square shelters.
Eco-Haven™ Sleeve is made from a 250 micron thick tube and has a UV and service life expectancy of 3 to 5 years. They have been specifically designed to keep costs as low as possible without compromising on critical performance.
The subtle matt brown colours used in both grades have been chosen to blend well with surrounding landscape.
The unique modular enclosures insulate vulnerable saplings from temperature extremes and increases air moisture retention, resulting in less water stress and better drought tolerance.
The shelters also help protect against damage caused by air blown sand and herbicide treatments.
The brown tint finish is not only pleasing to the eye but provides shade from intense sunlight and enhances growth.
Visible light consists of a spectrum of colours. Green leaves absorb light from the red and blue fraction to drive photosynthesis. The shiny interior and brown colour helps reflect and focus the red and blue fractions, concentrating this photosynthetic energy to enhance plant growth.
Carefully spaced ventilation flaps can be adjusted to increase air flow and control the climate, helping acclimatise young trees before they emerge from the shelter.
The vents are designed to circulate airflow while still protecting against grazing and minimising the risk of accidental herbicide penetration.
The top edge of Eco-Haven™ incorporate flare folds, and the pliable structure of Eco-Haven™ Sleeve, reduce the risk of abrasion damage to the emerging saplings.
The smooth surfaces of both also minimise the risk of leading shoots snagging and bending as they develop, and discourage the shelters from being used as rubbing posts by wildlife.
Eco-Haven™ is supplied as flat sheets that are significantly more compact and easier to handle than pre-formed tubes, with a clever design that ensures planting and maintenance is simple and swift.
The novel design is quick and easy to assemble with the versatility to either wrap the shelter around delicate saplings before fastening, or you can pre-assemble the tube and slide over the young tree. While the interlocking tab system and integrated post ties avoid the need for undesirable nylon or metal ties.
The tubes can also be quickly re-opened at any time making it easy to remove them for inspection and to replace loses, or to relocate them.
Eco-Haven™ Sleeve comes in a very compact roll format with tear-off perforations for easy application on mass plantings; providing contractors with an economical way to protect new hedges and vines which is easy to install and only requires one or two bamboo canes.
Eco-Haven™ has an innovative, interlocking, stacking construction which provides the freedom to create 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180cm high tubes, from just two module heights with an inventive interlocking system to link the tubes and avoid displacement and breaches.
Eco-Haven™ Sleeve is a novel tear-off tube design, which provides the freedom to create any guard height with perforations every 30cm.
Both modular designs can therefore protect against browsing, fraying and bark stripping from a wide variety of animals such as voles, rabbits, deer and livestock.