Waitrose is set to remove all harmful chemicals from its gardening range by the end of 2021.
The news comes as part of the retailer’s pledge to preserve natural biodiversity and cut down on its negative environmental impact.
According to the supermarket, it will be selling “natural and sustainable” alternative gardening products such as PlantGrow, which is available exclusively at 260 Waitrose locations.
The move follows its previous ban of over 70 pesticides for all crops intended for its stores, and its announcement over the summer that it will be phasing out all peat-based compost products by the end of the year.
READ MORE: Waitrose, Sainsburys and Tesco among UK grocers to recall products over health risks
The retailer added that it is eager to commit to a greener agenda in the run-up to COP26, in which “preservation of our natural habitats will no doubt be at the top of the agenda.”
“It’s time for action, not words,” Waitrose director of ethics and sustainability Marija Rompani said.
“If we are to preserve our natural ecosystems, we need to start making bold choices.
“This means … moving towards more sustainable and natural alternatives.
“This small action is not going to save our planet, but it’s a start and we’ll keep working to be part of the solution.”
PAN UK policy officer Nick Mole added: “We hope that this move will encourage other retailers to take pesticides off their shelves and also help raise awareness among the public that they do not need to use toxic pesticides in their gardens, window boxes or allotments.”
Click here to sign up to Grocery Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
