Cellulose Netting
At North Creek Nurseries, we use 100% bio-based, compostable cellulose netting as an alternative to traditional plastic mesh. It's one of the many small changes we're making to help reduce plastic use while continuing to deliver the quality our customers expect!
At North Creek Nurseries, every decision we make, from the plants we grow to the materials we use, is guided by the same philosophy: produce high-quality plants while continually looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact. Sometimes those improvements are big, and sometimes they're found in small details that customers may not notice right away. Like the netting wrapped around our plants. You may or may not have noticed the change... It may not steal the show (our plants have that covered), but it's doing more than just keeping everything together.
Instead of traditional plastic mesh, we use Packnatur® Cellulose Tube Netting, a wood-based alternative made from renewable beechwood cellulose fibers. It may seem like a simple change, but it's one that reflects our commitment to thoughtful, responsible practices throughout our production process.
What Is Cellulose Netting?
Cellulose is the primary structural component found in plant cell walls and is the most abundant natural polymer on Earth. Rather than relying on petroleum-based plastics, Packnatur® manufactures its netting using LENZING™ Modal fibers, which are produced from sustainably sourced European beechwood. The wood used comes from responsibly managed forests, including material generated through forest thinning, helping make use of renewable resources while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Turns out, there's a lot more to this little mesh than meets the eye. The result is a strong, flexible netting that performs like conventional plastic mesh while offering significant environmental advantages.
Why It Matters
Let's be honest, most packaging only gets a few moments in the spotlight before it's tossed aside. Packaging and production materials often serve a purpose for only a short period of time, yet they can remain in the environment for decades if they're made from conventional plastics. By choosing cellulose netting, we're helping reduce the amount of single-use plastic associated with our production.
Packnatur's cellulose tube netting is:
- Made from 100% bio-based beechwood cellulose
- 100% biodegradable
- 100% compostable, including certification for home composting
- Free from conventional plastic materials
- Manufactured using renewable raw materials rather than fossil fuels
While no single product solves the global plastic problem, thoughtful material choices like this help move the horticulture industry toward more sustainable production practices. It's proof that doing better for the environment doesn't have to mean reinventing the wheel, it can be as simple as rethinking the materials we use every day.
Performance
Of course, sustainability is only part of the equation. If the netting couldn't stand up to the demands of a busy nursery, we'd be right back where we started. Thankfully, this material is more than up to the task. The netting is:
- Tear-resistant
- Soft and easy to handle
- Moisture-resistant
- Breathable
- Suitable for automated packaging equipment
- Safe for food-contact applications, showing its high manufacturing standards
In other words, it's tough enough for the greenhouse and gentle enough on the planet. That's a combination we can get behind!! For our nurseries, that means we can bundle plants securely while continuing to run efficiently throughout production and shipping.
Better Materials, Smaller Footprint
The sustainability story doesn't stop with the fibers themselves. One aspect we especially appreciate is how the fibers are colored. Instead of applying dyes after the fibers are produced, Packnatur uses a process called spun dyeing, where pigments are incorporated directly into the cellulose fibers during manufacturing. Compared to conventional dyeing methods, this process uses:
- 64% less water
- 90% fewer chemicals
- 20% less energy
- 64% less wastewater
We love seeing innovation happen behind the scenes, especially when it means using fewer resources without sacrificing quality. That's a win-win in our book!
These kinds of manufacturing improvements often go unnoticed by the end user, but they contribute to reducing the overall environmental footprint of the product long before it reaches our nursery.
Small Choices Add Up
When people think about sustainability, they usually think about the plants, and understandably so! But the story doesn't end there.
In horticulture, sustainability is also about the decisions we make behind the scenes, from production methods and growing media to shipping materials and packaging. Choosing cellulose netting is one example of how small operational improvements can support larger environmental goals without sacrificing quality or efficiency. As our industry continues to evolve, innovations like renewable packaging materials demonstrate that practical alternatives to traditional plastics are becoming increasingly available.
After all, every improvement, no matter how small, is another step in the right direction!
Growing Toward the Future
Our goal has always been to grow plants that contribute to healthier landscapes, stronger ecosystems, and more resilient communities. Using renewable, compostable materials wherever practical is another way we strive to support those same values.
You may not think twice about the netting holding your plants together, and honestly, that's okay! It's our job to think about those little details so you can focus on growing great landscapes. Because sometimes the smallest details are part of the biggest picture.
Whether it's selecting native plants that support pollinators, improving production practices, or choosing renewable materials like cellulose netting, we're always looking for ways to grow a little greener!
Thank you to Claudio from Izel Native Plants for sharing these images with us!
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