MD Nursery and Landscaping in Driggs has a variety of sustainability programs to help reduce waste and be a role model in our community. Here are just a few that we love!
New in 2022, the Very Important Bag (V.I.B.) Program: Customers can purchase bulk mulch, soil compost, sand and gravel in small amounts in a reusable bag. Get your reusable bag set at the MD store for a $5 refundable deposit, then purchase bulk products for a flat rate ($3 for a .5 cubic foot bag, $6 for a 2 cubic foot bag) per each fill. When the season is over, return your VIB set and receive $5 on your VIG account or keep your bags if you like using them for other gardening tasks.
Why we love it: The VIB keeps plastic packaging out of the landfill and let’s you only buy the quantity of landscaping products you need. This works great for people who need small, manageable quantities instead of a full truckload. The sizes are small enough for one person to load, and the bulk rate pricing means you are paying much less than your would for garden products in wasteful plastic bags.
What to do with all of those non-recyclable plastic plant pots? The Plastic Pot Exchange: In the MD parking lot by the greenhouse entrance, visit the “leave one – take some” bin for plastic growing pots (the sturdy black plastic ones; not the flimsy ones which tear easily). If you need a few, stop by and pick up pots and flats for your growing projects. Want to recycle? Drop off your pots for someone else to use. Please leave clean pots only with no tags. This bin is NOT for trash, so please drop off clean pots only and keep the area tidy so they continue this public reuse program in the future.
Why we love it: There is no recycling market for these plastic pots – and Reuse is always the better option. We love to see this local nursery making it so easy for the public to come at any time during open hours to drop off clean pots or pick up some to start plants at home. The fewer pots that head to the landfill the better!
Supporting Local Products: MD carries local and regional products to support our neighbors and reduce delivery distances. Find jewelry from Michelle Miller, North 40 Studios and Hippie Soul, accessories from Canyon Leather, greeting cards from Aimee Babneau (pictured above painting her mural at the Teton Geo Center), Lynne Marie and Nicole Barrett, yard art from Spinfinity and more. Veggie Starts from Canewater Farm in Victor and seeds from Snake River Seed Cooperative are from farms throughout Idaho and supports local farmers. The floral department sells locally grown flowers from Full Circle Farm, Alpenglow Farm, Basin Flowers, and SB Farms.
Why we love it: What’s not to like about supporting local farmers, artists, and producers. We should all strive to shop closer to home and build a robust local economy by supporting each other and buying locally made goods.
Christmas Tree Recycling: for the 2-3 weeks after Christmas, you can bring your cut tree to the MD parking lot during business hours. Toss the tree in the trailer and we’ll mulch it for use in our yard and nursery at no cost to you.
Why we love it: While you can compost all yard waste including trees out at the Transfer Station, it does cost you $15/ton (or about $2 for the typical carload), so having a free drop off spot in town saves you time, money, and gas. There are other great reuse options for your old USFS trees like feeding them to local goats, but the great thing about MD’s option is they are able to take both forest harvested trees and store bought ones, including the ones MD sells in their nursery. These trees are often sprayed with anti-desiccant chemicals which shouldn’t be fed to livestock.
MD Floral Department: The full service floral department uses compostable bags and natural foam to keep products fresh for transport. Hand-tied bouquets are packaged in a protective brown cone with handles to protect your fresh flowers, but you can also reuse the bag when you buy flowers for you or a friend.
Why we love it: 1) It’s not disposable plastic! 2) isn’t that enough reason? 3) the handles are cute and make it convenient and reusable before you have to compost it in your backyard bin. Why isn’t every florist using this? Spread the word wherever you buy flowers!
This fall, MD Nursery also partnered with TVCR to collect and recycle broken holiday light strings from the community and to compost old Jack o’ lanterns and rotting pumpkins after Halloween,
MD Nursery and Landscaping is always striving to reduce waste and come up with creative programs to lessen the impact on the environment. Follow MD Nursery on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on sustainable products and programs.
