Sustainability
We believe in giving you the right solution, for the right tree, in the right environment — with the lowest possible impact on the planet.
SUSTAINABILITY
From material choice to end-of-line planning, we are committed to providing you with a circular solution.
This includes manufacturing shelters using a minimum of 50% recycled polymers and promoting responsible removal of shelters from the environment through our Collection & Recycling Programme – which has already successfully collected and recycled over 1.1 million shelters to date.
We recognise that not all environments allow for easy retrieval. In areas such as dense woodland or steep terrain, our biodegradable Nature range naturally breaks down without harming the surrounding ecosystem. At Tubex, sustainability has been a core principle for over three decades, guiding how we design, produce and manage our products
Our Sustainability Pillars
Production
We thoughtfully choose materials that match environmental responsibility with dependable, proven tree protection. Our shelters are made from fully recyclable polypropylene (PP), and our sustainability efforts extend well beyond our own products.
Products
All of our solutions are designed with their full lifecycle in mind. From day one, each solution includes a defined end-of-life plan — ensuring that once it has fulfilled its role in protecting young trees, it leaves no lasting impact on the environment.
People
Sustainability is a shared responsibility. That’s why we collaborate closely with partners and stakeholders across forestry, farming, landscaping, and related sectors to drive industry-wide improvements.
Tree Shelter Collection & Recycling Programme
Our goal is to manufacture all of our recyclable, non-biodegradable tree shelters using 100% recycled polypropylene (PP) – a robust material that is proven to stay in place for 5-10 years to protect saplings.
Currently, the Tubex range contains a minimum of 50% recycled content. All of our PP tree shelters are fully recyclable through our scheme at the end of their life, supporting a circular approach to product design. In addition, we offer Tubex Nature — our biodegradable alternative made from a bio-based blend. These shelters are designed to biodegrade in situ, making them ideal for areas where collection and recycling are not feasible.
At our headquarters in Aberdare, we operate a zero waste to landfill production facility, with a mission not only to maintain this standard but to continually reduce overall site waste. We also participate in Operation Clean Sweep, a global initiative aimed at preventing plastic pellet loss. Our strict protocols ensure that no plastics enter the local environment.
Tree Shelter Collection & Recycling Programme
Research shows recycled tree shelters to be the lowest environmental impact solution. With our Collection & Recycling Programme, we recycle your used legacy tree shelters back into new tree shelters, ensuring responsible disposal.
Not only will all types of our own PP Tubex shelters and PE meshes be accepted at our free Collection Hubs, but also PP and PE shelters from other manufacturers – as part of our mission ensure all shelters are responsibly disposed of and recycled. (Available across the UK).
Grow Together – Tree Shelter Donations
As a key part of our sustainability strategy, Grow Together is our charitable initiative, created to give back by supporting tree planting projects across the UK through the donation of tree shelters to charities and community projects. Want to get involved? You can nominate a project for donation by clicking the button below.
Partners and Certifications
At Tubex, we believe in integrity, sustainability and transparency, and we want our customers to know that when they partner with us, they’re making a good choice for themselves, and for the planet.
We’re proud of our certifications and our partners, and if you’d like to learn more, please click the button below.
Impact
Sustainability at Tubex
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Est SAPLINGS SAVED EACH YEAR, IN THE UK
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Oak trees grow twice as fast in a tree shelter
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Of CO2 captured by a tree in 100 years (Manufacturing a tree shelter produces 0.44kg of CO2)
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recycled content in Tubex Standard tree shelters
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recycled content on Tubex netting
+ 0 M
Tree shelters recycled through the Tubex Collection & Recycling programme
Latest Sustainability News
Effective
Protection