Sustainability

Environmental Protection Agency – USA

“Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations.”


Manufacturing

Our manufacturing facilities are located on the island nation of Sri Lanka, where most days are sunny and breezy. Our factories are designed to allow the cool breeze in while being covered to block excess heat and occasional rain. To reduce the need for large heaters and lights to dry the coco prior to producing the final products, we utilize large concrete pads surrounded by netting to keep out birds, seeds, and various other debris that could potentially damage our product. These concrete pads allow us to spread out the coco and use the sun's heat to dry and sterilize it, minimizing electricity demand.


Manufacturing Process

We believe in leaving the world better for our children, families, and future generations. That’s why we take sustainability seriously here at RIOCOCO. We use the part of the coconut that is generally considered waste material or a by-product of the coconut oil/water industry and transform it into a completely organic and natural growing medium for use in homes, hobby gardens, and large-scale commercial greenhouses.


The Product

Our growing medium has excellent water-holding capacity and cation exchange ability, allowing for reduced use of water and fertilizers. Compared to traditional open-field operations, large-scale greenhouse growers can save up to 90% of the water typically used.


End Use

For large-scale commercial growers utilizing hydroponics, there are numerous options for reusing the product after the growing season. To list a few:

The used medium can be utilized in city parks and gardens as mulch to help retain water, reduce water use, and maintain the landscape's beauty.

It can be applied to open-field crops to reduce water loss due to evaporation while also enriching the soil with organic compounds as it breaks down over several years.

For home users, the medium can be left in the ground, where it naturally decomposes, enhancing soil health.

All of this has been a core part of our ethos since we began producing this natural medium. This dedication is evident in how we quickly and easily earned ISO 14001:2015 certification.


Continuous Improvement

We don’t stop there—we’re always looking to improve. Whether it’s training our staff to turn off lights and machines when not in use, ensuring lights are not left on in empty rooms and offices, or practicing recycling and energy efficiency, we are committed to sustainability in every aspect of our operations.