Sustainability
guides our choices
Oksasen Puutarha is a responsible food producer. We grow high-quality, safe products with a focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and recyclable packaging. We continuously develop our operations while minimizing material waste and energy consumption.
We care about our employees’ well-being and safe working conditions, and we follow the ethical principles of the industry. All of our products are fully traceable from seed to finished package, and food safety is ensured through certified processes.
Our goal is to produce responsibly grown products that meet the environmental and social responsibility standards required by Finnish retailers — while respecting nature and ensuring reliable deliveries.
GLOBALG.A.P.
GLOBALG.A.P. is an international standard for good agricultural practices, focusing primarily on food safety, the environmental impacts of production, and worker safety. The company’s compliance is evaluated annually through reviews of documentation and production facilities.
The standard and audit process ensure that our working methods are examined and documented with great care, helping us continuously improve our operations. Oksasen Puutarha was among the first companies in Finland to receive the certification in 2012.
Food safety is reflected in the cleanliness and safety of our products, which can also be verified by our customers. Consumers of our salads and herbs can confidently choose safely produced local food.
Sustainability guides our choices in areas such as closed-loop irrigation systems, energy and electricity production, waste generation and recycling, as well as the pest control methods that we use.
Employee safety is an essential part of daily operations. Through various training programs, our staff receive guidance and training in workplace and product safety, employee rights, and hygiene practices.
Science Based Targets
Oksasen Puutarha’s climate targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), placing the company among the first Finnish horticultural companies to receive this recognition. As a pioneer in responsible domestic cultivation, Oksasen Puutarha has worked to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. The company has now taken another significant step in its environmental leadership by setting science-based climate targets approved by the SBTi.
According to the SBTi-approved near-term targets, Oksasen Puutarha Oy commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations (scope 1 and 2) by 42% by 2030 from the 2024 level, as well as assessing and reducing emissions related to raw materials and other purchases (scope 3). Oksasen Puutarha has received official SBTi approval for its climate targets aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement among the first Finnish horticultural companies.
Water circulation
saves water
Oksasen Puutarha’s salads and herbs are grown year-round in greenhouses at our Turku facilities using hydroponic cultivation. Irrigation is carried out through a closed-loop water water circulation system, in which water is purified and recycled for reuse. Thanks to this system, water consumption is reduced and fertilizers are prevented from entering the soil.
The circulating water used to heat the greenhouses is warmed in our own biomass boiler plant. The fuel consists of grain by-products, such as oat husks, which are surplus materials from feed factories and similar industries. After cooling, the water is returned to the system for reheating.
LED Lights as part of
sustainable cultivation
At Oksasen Puutarha, our goal is to minimize environmental impact and operate as energy efficiently as possible. Our greenhouses are heated with locally sourced renewable fuels, waste is carefully sorted and recycled, and our lettuce varieties and herbs are mainly grown under modern LED lighting.
LED lighting is an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution that optimizes growing conditions year-round, especially during the winter season when natural light is limited. It supports faster plant growth while consuming less energy than traditional lighting systems. This allows us to ensure that our operations are both efficient and responsible.
Towards a better tomorrow through responsible choices
Biological Pest Control
Against Harmful Insects
Biological pest control provides an ecological way to protect crops from harmful insects and plant diseases. Unwanted pests can sometimes enter greenhouses through air currents and other means, where they can damage the plants. In such cases, beneficial predatory insects are introduced, which eat or eliminate the harmful insects. Plant diseases are managed using biological plant protection products, which are added to the growing medium to support root health.
On the Path of
Sustainable Development
Environmental impacts are considered in all decision-making and development work at the garden. In 2020, Oksasen Puutarha began using paper pots at its Turku locations for growing herbs and lettuce. This change in practice saves 50,000 kilograms of plastic annually.
Plastic has not yet been completely eliminated from packaging, as plastic wrapping helps extend product shelf life and therefore significantly reduces food waste. However, we are continuously working with packaging suppliers to identify more environmentally friendly materials and to optimize existing packaging products. Efforts to reduce plastic use has also begun at Oksasen Puutarha’s Hamina location.
