3.3. Competitive advantages of EkoCover
EkoCover 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. EkoCover's product attributes will not only inhibit weed growth benefiting the environment, the soil and the plants.
Advantages over bark mulch:
Bark will suppress weeds providing the layer is sufficiently thick.
EkoCover 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. EkoCover 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.
EkoCover 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 EkoCover provides a sustainable solution to landfill problems by removing paper from the waste stream.
Cost effectiveness labour and transport:
Generally for mulches that are in roll or square form (geofabric type materials), the transport costs, handling,
ground preparation and laying are very similar to that of EkoCover – the major difference with EkoCover being a substantial
saving in remedial and maintenance costs (both transport and time) after planting as well as healthier soil and excellent
plant growth. With bulk mulches such as bark, the cost structure is entirely different. Such products require bulk hauling
(usually several times to deliver to the place of application) at an ever increasing cost of transportation; then it is
usually dumped in bulk before further bulk moving (by front end loader for example); or by hand loading and wheel barrow;
the variation in thickness (a direct cost) is huge and control of these costs are very difficult to determine and monitor.
The true cost of bulk mulch, even if the raw material source is very cheap, is high and frequently high post planting
maintenance costs add to this.
