Scott

1
Scotts Proposal for Phosphorous Reduction in
Fertilizers

• Prepared by Heidi Bonnaffon
• WRTC Meeting
• May 11, 2006

2
Background

• The Chesapeake Bay Programs Nutrient
  Subcommittee (NSC),
• Businesses for the Bay, and
• the CSREES/Land Grant University Mid Atlantic
  Water Quality Program (MAWQP)
• have worked with Scotts for 2 years to
• reduce nutrient loss from do it yourself (DIY)
  lawn
• fertilizer application.

3
Background on Fertilizer Loads

• Urban nonpoint sources and account for
• 1/4 phosphorus reaching the Bay
• 1/8 nitrogen reaching the Bay
• Retrofitting urban storm water is costly and new
  growth is increasing urban loads
• Targeting fertilizers may be the most efficient
  way to address urban non-point pollution.

4
Home Lawn CareNumber of Home Lawns (millions)
5
Home Lawn Care 2Total Number of Applications
(millions)
6
National Bag Sales 35 million Avg.
Applications 1.8 per year Unit Sales by
State Maryland --- 1 million bags Virginia ---
0.9 million bags
7
Scotts Proposal

• The Scotts Miracle Gro Co. has discussed with the
  CBP plans to reduce the P in its commercial lawn
  products 50 by 2009.
• Scotts expects other major fertilizer companies
  to change their formulas as a result of market
  pressure.
• Over time, Scotts plans to address N reduction in
  their fertilizers.
• Could equate 1 million Ibs/year P reduction in
  lawn applications in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

8
NSC Recommendations to Principal Staff Committee

• Chesapeake Bay Program should enter into an
  agreement with the Do It Yourself (DIY) lawn
  fertilizer industry, led by The Scotts
  Miracle-Gro Company, to
• 1. endorse a 50 reduction in phosphorus in their
  bagged DIY fertilizer lines
• 2. initiate discussions on nitrogen content and
  form in DIY lawn fertilizers
• 3. work with the DIY lawn fertilizer industry and
  major retail outlets to educate the public at the
  point of sale on proper methods of fertilizer
  application.

9
Next Steps for CBP

• Charge the Implementation Committee, through a
  cooperative effort of the NSC, B4B, MAWQP and
  Scotts/RISE, with drafting the proposed agreement
  and the point of sale education program.
• Campaign will be unveiled at the Executive
  Council Meeting, with roll out at retail outlets
  Spring 2007.
• It is further recommended that The Scotts
  Miracle-Gro Company be recognized at the
  Executive Council for their proactive leadership
  in this effort.

10
Potential Roles for COG

• The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is also interested
  in ways to partner with local governments.
• Representatives of Scotts will brief COGs
  Chesapeake Bay Policy Committee at its May 19
  meeting.

11
Recommended Actions for CBPC

• Sign an agreement between industry and COG member
  governments pledging to work together to minimize
  potential for pollution.
• Local governments could conduct
  outreach/education that Scotts and the rest of
  the commercial lawn care industry have researched
  and are advocating.
• NVRC Radio ad campaign vehicle or individually
  by local governments.

12
Recommended Actions for CBPC

• Demonstrate the use of reduced P fertilizers on
  county-owned or city-owned properties, and
  possibly other lawns with high-visibility.
• As part of demonstration projects or other
  activities, conduct research into the water
  quality impacts of following innovative lawn care
  practices.
• Universities with demo plots showing lawn care
  and nutrient reduction results of lower P (lower
  N)
• Potentially arrange industry training courses for
  county and city employees (or their contractors)
  on how to correctly apply fertilizers.
• Others?

13
Comments.

• Questions?