Sonairte

EcoCover
What is EcoCover?
Using EcoCover
Does the soil / ground require special preparation prior to laying?
Is the mat easy to handle and lay?
How do I cut the mat to a particular size?
How do I pin the mat or squares securely?
Do I need to use herbicide to control weeds before or after laying the mat?
Do I need to irrigate more or less with EcoCover mulch mat?
Can I use EcoCover on my organic certified farm or orchard?
Can I lay EcoCover in wet conditions?
Can I walk on EcoCover if it is wet?
Can I use the product on steep slopes and high wind areas?
Saving Money with EcoCover
How does EcoCover save me money?
I refuse to use plastic and prefer degradable weedmats, such as bark or wool. Why should I change to EcoCover?
Do I have to remove the mat from the soil after its useful life?
Will it save water usage?
Will it feed the soil?
Will it conserve moisture in the soil?
Is EcoCover cost effective compared to what I normally use as mulch?
Does the mat contain any plastics, petroleum derivatives or non organic ingredients?
Will the soil go sour under the mat as it does with plastic mulch mat?
I am happy using bark, why should I change to EcoCover?
Environmental Benefits of using EcoCover
What is the percentage of recycled content in the mat?
Is EcoCover saving our landfills from paper waste?
Is EcoCover saving our landfills from plastic waste?
How does the mat eliminate or reduce herbicide usage?
Is EcoCover safe to use?
How committed is EcoCover to global sustainability?
Future Product Developments
What Products are being developed in the future?
EcoCover

What is EcoCover?
McDonald and Helgerson (1990) published a definition of the “ideal mulch mat”.

It should be: opaque; dark; permit water filtration; retard evaporation losses; support favourable soil temperatures; sufficiently long and durable to last until seedlings are established; low in cost and lightweight; non toxic; colour that blends into the landscape; biodegradable; unattractive to animals.

We believe EcoCover is the world’s first complete mulch mat designed to replace plastic ‘on the ground’, that is historically used in landscaping, horticulture, agriculture and forestry.

EcoCover is an organically certified paper mulch mat primarily manufactured from waste paper removed from the landfill waste stream. The mat is uniquely manufactured in the form of a continuous laminate (sheet) that will suppress weeds; promote plant growth; conserve water; is fully biodegradable; will moderate (extreme) soil temperatures; eliminate or reduce the use of herbicide; reduce plant mortality; carry beneficial additives within the laminate to deliver to both the soil and plant root system; allows for flexibility in the manufacturing process in terms of roll and square sizes / and useful life as a result of the laminate thickness, and much more.

EcoCover is ‘the responsible choice’ when it comes to purchasing weed suppressant products, reducing landfills, conserving water and removing plastic from the landscape and landfills. Proof of EcoCover’s unique characteristics is that EcoCover mulch and seed mat is patented in 21 countries.

EcoCover is also IFOAM organic approved and Eco-label licensed – both of these accreditations are world firsts.

EcoCover - we believe the world’s most comprehensive mulch mat. back to top

Using EcoCover

Does the soil / ground require special preparation prior to laying?
No.
The ground preparation required is the same for other mulches. However with EcoCover it is important sharp rocks are completely removed as when the product is wet they may penetrate the mat. We recommend you refer to our site preparation notes in the link below.
View the [Recommended Laying and Pinning Instructions] back to top

Is the mat easy to handle and lay?
Yes.
The mat is easily cut, handled and laid. There is no discernable difference between the laying procedure for black plastic (woven and extruded), other non organic mulches and EcoCover. The product is completely inert, non toxic, non allergenic and no skin contact issues exist to our knowledge.
View the [Recommended Laying and Pinning Instructions] back to top

How do I cut the mat to a particular size?
EcoCover’s standard range will suffice for most requirements, noting in particular the overlap requirements for rolls laid adjacent to one another. Non standard sizes are easily cut either with large sharp scissors or a cutting knife / blade.
View the [Recommended Laying and Pinning Instructions] back to top

How do I pin the mat or squares securely?
View the [Recommended Laying and Pinning Instructions] back to top

Do I need to use herbicide to control weeds before or after laying the mat?
No.
Massey University’s independent research proved EcoCover to have superior weed suppression properties to that of black plastic during the useful life of the mulch mat. back to top

Do I need to irrigate more or less with EcoCover mulch mat?
Much less.
Southern Cross University’s independent research proved that EcoCover can conserve more than 80% of the soil moisture beneath the mat, thereby saving considerable water usage and cost. This is a unique product attribute.

Following rain / irrigation, as EcoCover begins to dry it forms a barrier that holds the ground moisture below the mat, unlike other fully permeable mulch products. Other mulches will allow water to transfer down through the mat; however being a geofabric construction or static mulch, evaporation will also take place through the same holes removing much of the water from the soil back into the atmosphere. EcoCover effectively retards the evaporation process. back to top

Can I use EcoCover on my organic certified farm or orchard?
Yes.
Please check with your organic certifier prior to use. back to top

Can I lay EcoCover in wet conditions?
This is not recommended although EcoCoverRF, the hessian reinforced product is suitable.
EcoCover is a reinforced paper product laminate and requires a degree of structural integrity during laying and planting. back to top

Can I walk on EcoCover if it is wet?
This is not recommended.
As the mat softens with the uptake of precipitation (rain / irrigation) it becomes very soft and molds / adheres to the soil surface. At this stage the mat can be disturbed by boots and shoes. As the mat dries it becomes progressively sturdier and will easily resist foot pressure.
Should any damage occur, patching is easy.
View [Recommended Laying and Pinning Instructions] back to top

Can I use the product on steep slopes and high wind areas?
Yes.
EcoCoverRF has been specifically designed for this purpose. back to top

Saving Money with EcoCover

How does EcoCover save me money?
The combined benefits of EcoCover mulch may provide you significant cost savings in any or all of the following:
Weed control – for the life of the mat
No herbicide maintenance periods following planting
No fertilizer application as a secondary process
Accelerated plant growth
Increased yield
Higher quality produce
A possible reduction in plant mortality
A possible cost saving in plant density when landscaping back to top

I refuse to use plastic and prefer degradable weedmats, such as bark or wool. Why should I change to EcoCover?
EcoCover is the world’s most complete mulch and will provide significant benefits in terms of weed control; 100% biodegradable; water conservation; plant growth; healthy soil; a better environment in respect of the landscape and landfill usage; a reduction of harmful herbicides and groundwater leaching; possibly plant losses; better yields and quality; a unique delivery mechanism (e.g. fertilizer enriched).
The vast majority of mulches do one thing in particular to one degree or another – inhibit weed growth. EcoCover’s product attributes will not only inhibit weed growth but much more: benefiting the environment, the soil and the plants. back to top

Do I have to remove the mat from the soil after its useful life?
No.
EcoCover is 100% compostable and biodegradable (Massey University research).
EcoCover is one of the few products in the world that is manufactured from recycled waste materials (up to 85% by weight) and is itself 100% recyclable, 100% biodegradable and eco-friendly. back to top

Will it save water usage?
Yes.
Massey University and Southern Cross University research has proven this attribute to be of major importance and potentially EcoCover’s most important attribute for world agriculture. back to top

Will it feed the soil?
Yes.
Massey University research. The mat is 100% biodegradable and during the degradation process provides a perfect environment for the worm life to come near the soil surface (unlike plastic which effectively sterilises the soil due to transferred heat from the sun). The mat will gradually be turned into worm caste, feeding the soil. back to top

Will it conserve moisture in the soil?
Yes.
Massey University and Southern Cross University research has proven this attribute to be of major importance and potentially EcoCover’s most important attribute for world agriculture providing a direct cost saving to growers. Water savings up to 80% may be achieved according to our University research. back to top

Is EcoCover cost effective compared to what I normally use as mulch?
Yes.
A one time application that is:
Cost effective to transport
Easy to lay and handle
Delivers outstanding weed suppression during the life of the mat
Delivers a fertilizer to the soil as the mat degrades
Reduces plant mortality and will provide superior growth to plants
May reduce the number of plants required to deliver the same visual (landscape) effect
Saves water usage, an ever increasing cost
Never requires to be removed from the soil and land filled
Reduces post planting maintenance costs
Helps the planet’s sustainability
Zero waste – no wasteful packaging, etc back to top

Does the mat contain any plastics, petroleum derivatives or non organic ingredients?
None whatsoever.
Plastics are totally prohibited for our organic certification. Independent laboratory analysis has proven EcoCover to have no harmful additives whatsoever. back to top

Will the soil go sour under the mat as it does with plastic mulch mat?
No.
Massey University research has proven the soil under EcoCover mat to be particularly healthy and rich. back to top

I am happy using bark, why should I change to EcoCover?
Several reasons:
Bark will suppress weeds providing the layer is sufficiently thick. EcoCover is more cost effective once transport; labour; the thickness of the bark layer; site handling; and post maintenance costs (possible plant replacement / herbicide use to control weeds) to the plants have been taken into account.
Bark is often packed in plastic carry bags, especially for retail, thus contributing to the world’s plastic waste. EcoCover achieves 100% zero waste when used, including any packaging.
Bark will conserve some water, however the nature and structure of the cover will also allow for evaporation. EcoCover is proven to conserve 80%+ of water – an increasingly scare and expensive commodity in many parts of the world.
Bark will degrade in a landfill, paper will not, therefore EcoCover provides a sustainable solution to landfill problems by removing paper from the waste stream.
By all means use bark for decorative purposes over EcoCover (by way of a very thin layer – in other words, minimal cost) mat, but to ensure your plants get the best possible start, EcoCover is vastly superior to bark as a mulch. back to top

Environmental Benefits of using EcoCover

What is the percentage of recycled content in the mat?
Up to 87.77% by weight depending on the mat construction. back to top

Is EcoCover saving our landfills from paper waste?
The total recycled content used by each EcoCover manufacturing plant operating a single shift per day is (max.) 9,045kg per week of waste paper removed directly from the landfill waste stream. The great news is that this landfill volume is made to literally disappear into the soil in a beneficial way due to the EcoCover mat technology.
EcoCover removes landfill volume permanently. Many, indeed most recycling enterprises and products will eventually end up incinerated or in a landfill. EcoCover disappears thus permanently taking away landfill volume.
EcoCover - making a difference to global sustainability and the planet’s environment. back to top

Is EcoCover saving our landfills from plastic waste?
Yes.
By using EcoCover as a plastic replacement you will achieve two significant environmental benefits:
Paper is removed from the landfill waste stream and allowed to 100% naturally biodegrade.
EcoCover is a plastic replacement and therefore less plastic will go into the waste stream if EcoCover is used as a direct replacement.
Legislation is being passed in various countries including the United Kingdom and the United States making the disposal of plastic waste more difficult and expensive. For example, the use of pesticides on the plastic in certain States now renders this to be a hazardous waste material incurring a premium penalty for disposal. This trend will only continue and become more problematic for growers. EcoCover is a perfect substitute offering so much more as a comprehensive mulch. back to top

How does the mat eliminate or reduce herbicide usage?
Our University research has proven EcoCover to be a most effective weed suppressant during the life of the mat, providing plants with accelerated growth thus developing earlier plant foliage to prevent further weeds germinating as the mat naturally biodegrades away.
Harmful spray, overspray, soil contamination from repeated herbicide applications and possible worker health problems are eliminated with EcoCover. back to top

Is EcoCover safe to use?
Perfectly safe and beneficial to the environment. back to top

How committed is EcoCover to global sustainability?
We must begin to live off the planet’s interest rather than its capital. Our future growth, product development and acquisition strategy is firmly based on our founding principle of sustainability.
“When one tugs at a single thread in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world” – John Muir. back to top

Future Product Developments

What Products are being developed in the future?
Uniquely, the EcoCover paper laminate provides a delivery mechanism for a wide range of additives that will open up many new market opportunities and add substantial value to certain mats. Below is a very short list of our current research, development and future research projects.

Seed Mats
EcoCover has full patents for the seed mat technology in 21 countries. The prospect of delivering to the market a strip of seed enriched EcoCover that simply requires planting and watering is very exciting. This will be a world first in terms of the products ability to deliver commercial quantities of seed mat with good structural integrity.

EcoPot
Millions of plants are planted out of plastic pots / bags daily. All of this packaging is ultimately being dumped into landfills. Imagine burying the plant in the original container and that container being fertilizer enriched and degrading over time to prevent root balling – that is the vision of the EcoPot presently under development. As plants grow and may require re-potting there is no need to remove the plant from the container and disturb the root bowl. Plants can simply be placed in a larger EcoPot if necessary.

Coloured mats
EcoCover New Zealand is presently supplying a particular coloured mat to an Australian customer.
Research has proved that a red coloured mat to improve the reflectivity from the mat’s upper surface will trick plants into thinking they have competition from neighbouring weeds. Red EcoCover is being researched at Massey University (commenced November 2005) to determine what benefits a coloured paper mulch may provide.
Other colours can possibly be manufactured to your specific requirements – please enquire from your local manufacturing plant.

Other beneficial mat developments
The unique mat technology provides us with a large number of opportunities in the marketplace. Over time, our research and development commitment will develop products that use our technology and are beneficial and sustainable to the environment.
New patent opportunities are constantly being evaluated. back to top