Eco-friendly planters for commercial outdoor use

In 2023, no business goal is more significant than sustainability. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly way to liven up your premises with some greenery, whilst also supporting the local environment, Corten steel planters are the way to go.

We’re so confident that your business will benefit from this sustainable landscaping technique that we’ve also thrown in a few quick tips on creating drought-tolerant gardens using our commercial steel planters, too.

This blog will introduce Corten steel and its benefits, before delving deeper into the specific advantages of Corten steel planters.

WHAT IS CORTEN STEEL?

Also known as weathering steel, Corten steel is a steel alloy developed with small amounts of copper, phosphorus, chromium, nickel, and silicone. The specific alloy combinations used mean that Corten steel doesn’t need to be painted, as it develops its own protective layer over time. Indeed, over the course of about six months, the outer surface of your Corten steel planters will rust.

Rather than this being a bad thing, this protective layer serves to prevent further environmental damage, whilst giving your planters a gorgeous, russet patina that is highly coveted by architects across the globe.

The oxidisation process happens naturally upon the Corten steel encountering both moisture and air. Nevertheless, it can be sped up significantly by applying specific treatments, achieving that distinctive red colour and the associated protective benefits almost immediately.

Corten steel was initially developed by US Steel in the 1920s and was patented as COR-TEN® steel in 1933. Nevertheless, it is now most referred to as weathering steel.

CORROSION RESISTANT

The outer rust layer that develops protects your Corten steel planters from further corrosion, sealing it from the outside elements.

GREATER TENSILE STRENGTH

Corten steel has been used to build bridges and other significant structural and architectural feats around the world. Indeed, containing less than 0.3% carbon by weight, it is ductile and tough. With yield strengths ranging from 355 to 960 MPa, it is also commonly used in the transport industry.

For instance, it allows lorries to support higher payloads whilst ensuring that the vehicles themselves remain lighter than if they were constructed from conventional steel, thus making them more environmentally friendly, as they will also consume less fuel.

LOW MAINTENANCE

Weathering steel can last for many years with next to no maintenance.

COST EFFECTIVE

This relatively affordable material will last for a long time, making it one of the most cost-effective materials for commercial outdoor planters available on the market.

AESTHETICALLY APPEALING

As mentioned earlier, the russet patina of Corten steel is particularly coveted among many architects and designers, with weathering steel having been used to construct many architectural wonders like the Angel of the North and the Barclay’s Centre in New York.

Adding Corten steel planters to your commercial premises is therefore guaranteed to boost your image for the better.

Moongates are also made in Corten Steel. Originally found in China and Japan, as a welcoming gesture for visitors. Corten Steel Moongates are an aesthetically pleasing design to look at. They are designed to give the illusion that each leg is leg is disappearing under the floor.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Both long-lasting and low-maintenance, weathering steel is one of the most environmentally friendly materials on the planet. Indeed, it is 100% recyclable at any stage of its life. Choosing Corten steel planters for your business is therefore could therefore lower your carbon footprint and make your company more sustainable overall.

The disadvantages of Corten steel

When it comes to commercial steel planters, there is little that could go wrong with Corten steel. The only thing to watch out for is that your products are made by experienced suppliers like Weather It, to ensure that the weld joins are just as strong as the rest of your product.

This will also guarantee that your Corten steel planters have adequate drainage, which is essential for both your plants and to prevent faster corrosion caused by unwanted water pockets. It is also advisable to avoid placing Corten steel planters in high-chlorine environments or areas in which they would be in constant contact with salt water.

However, these sustainable landscaping tools work best in alternating wet and dry environments, making them perfect for outdoor use in the UK.

The advantages of Corten planters for the environment

As you can see, Corten steel is the ideal material for commercial planters. It will last for years to come, reducing the amount of waste materials going to landfill, and doesn’t require any toxic treatments, either. Beautiful weathering steel planters blend in well with surrounding nature as well as standing out for the right reasons in busy urban environments.

And with minimal watering and maintenance required, they’re the ideal way to support local wildlife and the local environment, without putting additional strain on already scarce resources.

The environmental impact of Corten planters

Corten steel planters are 100% recyclable. What’s more, weathering steel doesn’t lose any durability or strength during the recycling process, which in and of itself, consumes little energy and doesn’t have to happen very often thanks to the material’s long lifespan. As such, the environmental impact of Corten planters is negligible.

Using steel planters to create drought-tolerant gardens

Drought-tolerant gardens are a new, eco-friendly method of gardening. It’s all about maintaining plant life using as little water as possible, to reduce the impact on the environment. Corten planters are a great choice when it comes to sustainable, eco-friendly gardening, because they automatically reduce the size of the area to be watered whilst maintaining the positive effects of nature and company gardens.

If you have no lawns or flower beds, both of which feed directly into the ground, you won’t be losing water to the surrounding soil. What’s more, you won’t need to use electrical equipment, such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers and chainsaws, to maintain the flora in your Corten steel planters, reducing the amount of energy required overall.

If you’re looking for additional tops on how to make your Corten steel planters even more environmentally friendly, here are a few things you could try:

• Pick plants that suit your geographical climate. They will require less water and will be hardier overall.
• Plant native species that require little maintenance. This will help to support local wildlife.
• Avoid chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers. Once again, local plants work best.
• If you do need to fertilise, use organic waste, which also works well as compost.
• Ensure that you have the appropriate drainage. Our Corten steel planters are specifically designed with commercial planting in mind, so with Weather It, you won’t have to worry.
• Collect rainwater for watering during periods of drought to reduce your water use.
• If more regular watering is required, you may also wish to utilise water recycling systems to remain eco-friendly.
• Position your commercial Corten steel planters carefully for maximum effect when it comes to reducing storm-water runoff.

Corten steel planters for commercial use: the verdict

So, there you have it. Are Corten steel planters environmentally friendly? The answer is a resounding, yes! For businesses looking to spruce up their premises with some greenery whilst retaining a sustainable brand image and doing their bit for the environment, Corten steel planters are the best possible choice.

Weather It is one of the most reliable manufacturers of Corten steel planters in the UK. What’s more, all our planters are handmade in Britain, making them even more eco-friendly than competing products, given that they have less distance to travel and therefore, boast a lower carbon footprint.

Take a look at our extensive range of weathering steel planters or contact us to find the ideal commercial landscaping solution for your business today.