Green-tech helps EMR Metal Recycling increase Biodiversity

Project: Increasing Bio Net Gain

Location: Oldbury, West Midlands

Client: EMR

Landscape Contractor: Glendale

Product/Services Supplied: John Chambers Wildflower Seed

Green-tech helps EMR Metal Recycling increase Biodiversity

European Metal Recycling (EMR) is a global leader in metal recycling. They operate metal recycling sites across 60 locations throughout the UK where they process waste metal and want to increase biodiversity throughout these sites.

Working with Glendale, a grounds maintenance contractor providing landscape and green space management for private and public sectors, EMR launched its rewilding initiative at its state-of-the-art site in Oldbury. They intend to tackle the impact of climate change and give local nature a much stronger chance of surviving and thriving for future generations. The aim is to roll out this scheme across all of their UK sites.

The EMR environmental project, which covers 3ha of land, will create a biodiversity increase at the Oldbury site of 95%, ensuring greater protection of the environment, and preservation and enhancement of key habitats.

The initiative included the sowing of approximately 1000m² of John Chambers Heritage Dual purpose and John Chamber Impact Violet Heart mix 100%. The 5kg of seed comprised a mix of native and nectar-rich annuals and perennials. The area of previously rough ground was seeded in May 2023 using a mix devised by EMR Environmental Specialist Aaron Roberts. The Cornfield Annual species came through quickly to give an initial burst of colour, while the slower-growing perennials are all establishing, ready to spring forth from Spring 2024 (Year 2) onwards.

John Chambers Wildflower Seed has a 40-year history of supplying British native wildflower seed and mixes across the UK. A brand of Green-tech, John Chambers Wildflower Seed is one of the leading authorities on native wildflower seed, distributing a comprehensive range of products that protect, enhance, and improve the landscape environment.

In addition, a variety of 100 native saplings and trees and species-rich hedgerows were planted to improve the overall habitat and absorb 35 tonnes of carbon per annum into the new biomass growing on our site. A mixture of grass seeds and different varieties of flowers will be grown, as well as ongoing management of the woodland area to allow other species to flourish.

Deric Newman, Head of Development, Estate Services at Glendale comments, “We used John Chambers as they have a reputation for being the best in the market for wildflower and grass seed. Delivery was very efficient and on time with the annual species making an appearance quickly. Overall, I am very happy and can’t wait to see the perennials come through in the spring.”

Aaron Roberts adds, “It has been a pleasure working on this project creating positive environmental change at our EMR Group Oldbury site. With the new plants and habitat creation at Oldbury, we have increased biodiversity by over 95% and we are helping sequest 35 tonnes of CO₂. Hopefully, our project inspires other companies to create positive environmental change at their sites and increase their biodiversity.”