Notcutts Garden Centres has become the first garden centre group to receive 'full member' status of the Growing Media Initiative (GMI).
Notcutts had to demonstrate that at least 55% of the total volume of growing media sold in its centres was made of non-peat material, in order to gain the accreditation.

Notcutt's CEO Andy King said: "We are very proud of being the first garden centre group to become a full member of the Growing Media Initiative. Notcutts' commitment to improving the quality of our growing media lies hand in hand with our dedication to providing quality garden products for our environmentally conscious customers."

GMI is a scheme that aims to increase the rate of peat reduction within the garden retail sector without the need for Government regulation.

GMI's director of business development Tim Briercliffe said: "This is a fantastic achievement by Notcutts who have put in considerable effort to reduce he amount of peat they sell."