Greenleaf Nursery Co.

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Wastewater Treatment

Industry: Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing

Wastes Reduced: Nitrate-Nitrogen

Substance: Plastic,pesticide/fertilizer runoff

Equipment: Plastics,Pesticides & Fertilizers

Location: Parkhill OK

Description:

Established in 1958, located in Park Hill, Oklahoma is a 520 acre containerized nursery, the third largest containerized nursery in the U.S. In 1989, Greenleaf began a comprehensive Pollution Prevention program and enlisted the help of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture (DOA) to achieve company goals. In 1977 this facility contributed 22,743 Kg/yr of Nitrogen and 444 Kg/yr of phosphate to the Illinois River Watershed Basin(1.1% total nutrient loading in the basin.)

P2 Application:

The focal points of Greenleaf's Pollution Prevention Program are: Recycling of most plastic used during cold weather; Establishing voluntary compliance agreements with DOA concerning nutrient and pesticide levels in irrigation tallwater; Conversion from liquid fertilizers to topical application of slow release fertilizer pills directly to the growing containers; Integrating Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, plants are inspected for pests prior to any pesticide use and switching to pesticides that will not move off-site with irrigation tallwater; Construct water retention and recycling basins to prevent off-site movement of irrigation tallwater.

Environmental Benefits:

Nitrate-Nitrogen levels to the Illinois Basin Watershed have been reduced by 75% since 1989. In 1992, construction of a retention and recycling system began. The $1.5 million system has a storage capacity of 80 million gallons. This system is now being used as a model for other containerized nurseries in Region 6, as well as nationally.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

Compliance with state and federal standards for irrigation tallwater. Improved corporate image.

Source: ODEQ