Arboretum Leighlinbridge
Arboretum Kilquade
This month, we’re thrilled to celebrate the opening of the newly developed Kilquade Garden Centre and highlight the advanced sustainable technologies integrated into its renovation. To mark the opening we want to take the opportunity to tell you more about our ongoing sustainability efforts not just in Kilquade but across all three of our store locations: Arboretum Leighlinbridge, Kilquade, and Urban Green.
For over 10 years, Arboretum has utilised solar thermal technology to generate domestic hot water at Leighlinbridge. This renewable solution displaces fossil fuels and reduces our carbon footprint significantly.
Our Kilquade location features high-efficiency 435W “N-Type, Tier 1” solar panels on the retail space’s roof, generating over 90,000 kWh annually. This setup reduces grid electricity needs by about 30% each year and prevents 31 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
At Kilquade, heat pumps provide underfloor and water heating, partly powered by the solar panels. These systems lower our reliance on gas and lowers emissions while buffer vessels optimise energy use during off-peak periods.
Across all our stores we use LED lighting, saving approximately 60% in energy and emissions compared to traditional lighting and lasting significantly longer. Additionally, the new building in Kilquade incorporated double-insulated glass to maximise natural light and minimise heat loss, reducing the need for artificial lighting and energy for cooling.
Our Kilquade store uses a rainwater harvesting system, collecting water in 38,000-liter tanks. This “grey water” is used for irrigation and toilet flushing, saving around 124,000 litres of water annually.
Over 80% of our plants are grown locally reducing their travel footprint
All our stores have a strong emphasis on recycling, with systems in place for recycling all plastic and cardboard.
We use paper packaging, reinforcing our commitment to reducing waste and promoting circular resource use.
Where possible we source local produce and ingredients for all our cafés, supporting local farmers and producers and reducing our transportation footprint. All our takeaway food packaging is environmentally friendly and recyclable.
We are proud to champion local craftsmanship by stocking a diverse range of Irish brands across all three stores. By featuring products from local artisans and suppliers, we not only bring our customers unique, high-quality Irish brands but also supporting the local economy and community.
This commitment reflects our core belief that a sustainable approach is essential not just for our business, but for the community and world we’re part of. It’s all about crafting operations that are not just effective but also environmentally friendly.
Next steps:
Keep your eyes peeled as we spotlight some of our fantastic partners and suppliers on our website and all around our stores during this campaign. Come join the fun and be part of our journey toward a greener, more sustainable future!
VOYA diligently helps to protect the biodiversity of the west coast reefs through sustainable harvesting practices. Their products are packaged using recycled, recyclable, or biodegradable materials.
Elho’s ocean collection uses gathered maritime waste, which consists of collected ropes and discarded fishing nets, significantly helping to prevent ocean pollution and protect marine life.
Koziol uses only the most modern technology for its pioneering products, with no BPA or plasticizers. From the idea to the finished packaged product, everything comes from a single source.
Julie Clarke Candles has a number of collections; Peacock Storage Jar & Diffusers, Botanic and Desert Winds. All of the vessels in these collections can be conveniently washed and re-used.
