Knippenberg-Eijkenboom Nursery operates entirely without gas: “The sun is doing the work for us now!”

At Kwekerij Knippenberg-Eijkenboom, a small, close-knit team with a grand vision works every day toward a sustainable future. What once began as a traditional nursery has, in recent years, grown into a model of innovative and conscious business practices. Richard Cox, who works at the nursery, takes us through the inspiring story behind their gas-free production and unique approach to sustainability.

Richard has been working at the nursery for about five years now, after spending twenty years in the media and two years in the sustainability sector. “I don’t work with plants myself, but I make sure everything is taken care of behind the scenes. The great thing is: in a small team, you can really make an impact.” Since the launch of tophangpotten.nl, he has already set up several sustainable partnerships together with owner Ruud Eijkenboom. Direct from the Grower is one such partnership.

Creative Thinking

The Knippenberg-Eijkenboom Nursery in Sint Odiliënberg has been a familiar sight in the region for many years. The biggest transition began about seven years ago under Ruud’s leadership. “We’re a small but strong team that combines sustainability with creativity,” Richard explains. “We all support one another and go the extra mile. For us, sustainability means not only working in an energy-efficient way, but also collaborating sustainably.”

This philosophy led to the bold decision to go completely gas-free, despite the challenges involved. The decision was based on both financial and environmental considerations. “If you were to compare the gas bill from a few years ago with today’s prices, we could have been in real trouble,” he says. “Instead of complaining, we set out to find creative solutions. As far as I know, we’re the only nursery in the region that has completely eliminated gas.”

A breakthrough

Since October 2022, the nursery has been operating entirely without gas. The company has made significant investments and thoroughly prepared everything to take that step. “The sun is now doing the work for us,” Richard says proudly. “We have 72 solar panels, and as long as we can offset our energy usage with a small grid connection, they meet our energy needs just fine.” The result? Healthy flowers and plants that are accustomed to their natural environment. “Our plants become more beautiful as time goes on. While plants in a gas-heated greenhouse might be a bit ‘spoiled,’ ours are stronger and more resilient.”

The impact of the energy transition is enormous. This plant grower’s ambitions, therefore, extend even further: “In addition to gas-free cultivation using solar energy, we want to collect rainwater and use it in innovative ways,” says Richard. They’re even considering an electric tourist train that would take visitors through the colorful landscape of flowers. “We combine creativity with sustainability, and that takes you a long way,” he laughs.

Tips for Other Entrepreneurs

His advice to other companies looking to become more sustainable? “Think in terms of possibilities, not obstacles. There will always be challenges, but what matters is how you deal with them creatively. If you don’t try, you’ll get nowhere.”

Richard emphasizes that sustainable business isn't rocket science. “Keep your costs low, don't just think about your own bottom line, and make sure your customers are happy. That's what it all comes down to in the end.”