
Westerlay leading the charge in sustainability practices
Westerlay Orchids of Carpinteria, CA, is taking action to reduce its carbon footprint by positively impacting the climate and the community. While its principal focus is on growing and distributing 4 million vibrant phalaenopsis orchids per year throughout the western United States, as part of its long-term vision, the company is focused on sustainability through continuous reduction of its carbon footprint.

“We are starting to feel like we have a lot of momentum as a company and are really making a lot of progress,” said Westerlay President Toine Overgaag. Solar panels, energy curtains, and a robust offset program will combine to reduce Westerlay’s carbon footprint by 43 percent in 2021, with a vision of achieving carbon-neutral production by 2026.
As technology develops, Overgaag anticipates that eventually, carbon-neutral production will be within reach. “That’s the ultimate goal for us, to produce our orchids carbon-free. However, because we are not yet able to, this year, for the first time, we are investing in a carbon offset program whereby we are directly investing in a wind power project in India that will offset 2,399 tons of carbon dioxide.”
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are generated by one's actions. Greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide, methane, and more, trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming. Every person has their own carbon footprint, and companies do as well. To avoid a rise in global temperatures, which would negatively impact ecological systems, the global carbon footprint needs to drop substantially. A shift to renewable energy sources like natural gas, wind, and solar power will help achieve this.
Since 2019, Westerlay has worked with Carbon Footprint of Hampshire, United Kingdom, to measure carbon emissions and determine its strategy for reduction. This third-party verification service audits Westerlay’s carbon footprint and administers the carbon offset program. Carbon Footprint is working with Westerlay to calculate, aim, reduce and offset carbon use, with an ultimate goal of carbon neutrality, by establishing practical improvements to reduce carbon emissions.
Additionally, the orchid grower-shipper is working with Wicks Roofing and Solar, installing 561 solar voltaic cells forecast to generate 320 kWh per year of electricity at its primary location at 3504 Via Real, Carpinteria. This will provide 100 percent of all electrical needs for this facility. Westerlay has plans for the installation of solar panels at its Foothill facility in 2022 as well.
“Generating our own carbon free power is one of the first things we looked at,” said Overgaag. “Our forecast is that we will be able to produce all the electrical power on this site and next year take a look at a second location.”
Further, Westerlay is working with Greenhouse System in replacing insulating energy curtains in over 650,000 square feet of greenhouses. This is estimated to save 55,000 therms of natural gas used for heating. “We’ve worked with Greenhouse System for decades, they are one of the preeminent greenhouse contractors on the West Coast,” said Overgaag who went on to explain that the new curtains are expected to increase efficiency via more heat retention by 5 percent, thereby their use of natural gas to heat the greenhouse.
These efforts under way at Westerlay build on past efforts like installing a 300,000-square-foot drainage catch system in 2018 that reduced water use by 38 percent. One of the payoffs beyond the conservation of water has been a reduction in natural gas consumption, the largest contributor of the company’s footprint. Channeling the water enables a dryer environment in the greenhouse and requires less heating to maintain temperature and humidity.
Westerlay was able to reduce its natural gas consumption by 11 percent, an amount in terms of carbon footprint equivalent to taking 29 cars off the road. Westerlay has achieved an ‘A’ rating every year since 2015 from MPS, the internationally recognized independent horticultural rating agency and the carbon reduction efforts have contributed this ‘A’ rating. MPS certification goes above and beyond local and state regulations and ensures that Westerlay will always be in compliance while voluntarily maintaining standards that exceed the letter of the law.
Eco-friendly changes at Westerlay are quickly putting them on the map as an example for sustainability, and Overgaag believes that by serving as an inspiration to other companies, Westerlay can help engage and create an even more significant change.
Through it all, Westerlay’s family tradition continues, constantly refining their sustainable growing practices and ensuring the highest quality orchids are produced. The company annually distributes over 3 million orchids directly to customers and to local and national supermarket chains, as well as florists and designers.