Hever Tortoise World Sustainability Policy

HEVER TORTOISE WORLD® - UK'S FIRST CERTIFIED ORGANIC GROWER OF SAFE & EDIBLE PLANTS FOR REPTILES & A CERTIFIED ORGANIC HERBIVOROUS REPTILE HEALTH FOOD STORE

Plastic Pollution presents danger to wildlife

Dangers of Single use Plastics

Plastic pollution is a serious worldwide problem. According to Greenpeace 2025, only 9% of all plastic is recycled globally, and even among developed countries like the UK, the rate of recycling is less than 50% with a very small percentage of this actually being “recycled”. Most of the “recycled” plastics from household collections either get sent to other countries or are converted into unrecyclable products, which all eventually end up polluting our environment.

Plastics take a long time to degrade if they ever do at all, slowly breaking into smaller particles until they are no longer visible to the eye – these plastic particles are called “microplastics”. They end up on the ocean’s floor, in beds of rivers, on the beaches, in forests, and they even enter our food and water. Plastics present danger to wildlife and to us, humans, and some also leach toxic chemicals, posing further threat to the health of our Planet.

Furthermore, more than 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuel, thus contributing greatly to the global greenhouse gas emission and climate change at every stage of the plastics journey, according to the Center for International Environmental Law.

Reduction of use of Plastics. Our new, more Sustainable Packaging

At Hever Tortoise World we want to help reduce the harmful effects of plastics on both our health and the environment, by reducing the amount of plastic we ourselves use. Since the beginning of 2025 we have changed our packaging and have dramatically reduced the use of plastic in our plant production as well as packaging. We are 90% plastic free as a company, and we continue to look for ways to further reduce the use of plastics.

You will now notice the new way we package your plants, plugs and other products using cardboard, recyclable kraft paper tapes and recycled paper. In addition, we are also reducing the amount of overall packaging making our parcels lighter, and we are reusing as much as possible the materials we receive from other companies. Although we grow our plants in plastic pots and trays, we reuse the pots after washing and disinfecting them to grow more plants from seeds and cuttings again.

Encouraging Biodiversity

We love our wildlife and encourage them on our land by creating wildlife ponds and natural shelters for insects and frogs. We grow a lot of flowers, both native and non-native, which are buzzing with insects of all kinds providing them with essential food and shelter.

Many bird species nest on our trees, and we have a good population of smooth newts, toads and frogs, it is an absolute delight to share our Organic land with them all.

In 2024 we made a decision to become a Certified Organic Producer to show our commitment to protecting our Planet from harmful chemicals.

Our Location

Situated in the stunning tranquil area in the “Garden of England”, nestled between historic market towns of Edenbridge and Hever, Kent, we are minutes away from pleasant countryside walks and a several mile Eden Valley walk which passes through High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty along the banks of River Eden and Medway and Nature Reserves.

There are a number of National Trust Properties nearby to explore including a stunning Sissinghurst Mediterranean Garden (Delos) as part of Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Penshurst Place and Gardens, Standen House and Garden, Wakehurst, Borde Hill Garden, Bateman’s to name but a few. There is an array of Castles to visit from the world famous Hever Castle and Gardens, which is only minutes away by car, Wadhurst Castle, Leeds Castle, Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst Castle and Bodiam Castle.

Less than 25 miles from Central London, we are easily accessible via M25 (Junction 5 or 6). Hever and Edenbridge Town train stations have good links with London and are just a short distance from us.