The gardening industry has relied on petrol-powered tools for decades. They're powerful, they're reliable, and they're loud, smelly and bad for the environment. We've decided to change that — step by step.
Where We Are Now
We've already made significant progress in switching to electric and battery-powered tools. Where we can, we use electric alternatives for everyday tasks:
- Battery mowers — our EGO self-propelled mowers deliver a clean cut without the emissions or noise
- Battery hedge trimmers — lighter, quieter, and no fumes drifting across the client's patio
- Battery strimmers and blowers — increasingly replacing their petrol counterparts in our toolkit
The technology has improved massively in recent years. Modern battery tools from brands like EGO and STIHL are genuinely competitive with petrol equivalents for most residential and estate work. The power is there — and the runtime gets better with every generation.
Where We're Heading
Our goal is to be fully electric across our entire tool fleet. The final piece of the puzzle is on-the-go charging, and we're actively exploring solar panel systems for our van. The idea is simple: while we're working on a client's garden, the van's solar panels are topping up our batteries for the next job.
This would mean zero fuel costs for tools, zero emissions during operation, and a quieter, cleaner experience for our clients and their neighbours.
Why It Matters
A single commercial petrol mower can produce as much pollution per hour as driving a car for several hundred miles. Multiply that across a week's worth of maintenance visits, and the impact adds up fast.
By switching to electric, we're reducing our carbon emissions, cutting noise pollution (especially important on residential estates and near-neighbour properties), and eliminating petrol storage and handling from our daily operations.
Not Just the Tools
Sustainability isn't just about what powers our hedge trimmer. It's woven through everything we do:
- Green waste recycling — all waste composted locally through Wildwoods Contractors, never sent to landfill
- Water-conscious planting — we design drought-tolerant schemes like desert beds that reduce the need for irrigation
- Local sourcing — we buy materials and plants locally where possible, reducing transport miles
- Organic practices — we minimise chemical use and encourage natural pest management where practical
We don't claim to be perfect — we still have petrol tools for the heaviest work. But we're committed to the direction of travel, and every season we get a bit closer to a fully sustainable operation.
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