|
Eco Roofs Living Greener with EcoCoverRF™?
We Want to Find Out - A Green Roof
Research Opportunity EcoCover is a paper mulch mat made
up to 87-percent by weight from recycled waste paper and
post consumer recycled paper that might otherwise go to
landfill. EcoCover helps solve solid waste
disposal problems that are prevalent almost everywhere
in the world. When a farmer, gardener, vineyard or
orchard mulches with EcoCover, the end
result of the product is tilled into the soil and
becomes additional humus and
earthworm castings. Earthworms love EcoCover.
There is nothing to take up, nothing to dispose of, no
waste, no harm.
EcoCover has a new product recently
developed and now regularly manufactured, EcoCover RF,
which is standard EcoCover Mulch Mat reinforced with
woven Hessian. The product was developed for
landscaping mulch, soil erosion control and remediation
for use on steep slopes and in high wind environments
where additional shear strength is needed, especially
when the mulch is wet.
We think EcoCover RF is also an ideal
product for eco roofs and are looking for opportunities
to test this idea.
Eco roofs and planted roof systems
face a number of challenges where we think EcoCover RF
can help improve the success of plantings, including
issues such as
-
Shallow and light
weight soils, often not moisture retentive
-
Temperature
extremes
-
Weed control
-
Soil moisture
conservation and reduced irrigation costs
-
Retention of
rainfall to prevent runoff surges
-
Similar issues
with rooftop plants in containers
-
Reduction in roof
loads to the building structure
The key beneficial attributes of EcoCover are:
- Superior
water and soil moisture conservation
versus plastic or other sheet
mulches
- EcoCover will absorb water from rainfall or
above the mulch sprinklers, yet does not easily
allow evaporation from beneath while allowing the
soil to breath - plastic is famous for creating
septic or anaerobic conditions in soil
and will increase runoff surges from rainfall events
- Better soil temperature moderation (EcoCover has
a higher R value than plastic)
- Improved plant growth
-
Better weed control
- Works as a
container weed
barrier for potted plants, shrubs and trees,
moderates soil temperature and conserves soil
moisture
- EcoCoverRF™, reinforced with
Hessian fiber laminated to our extended life Mulch
Mat, has high wind resistance and higher shear
strength for use on sloped surfaces
All of these attributes
have been proven multiple times in various independently
conducted agricultural research projects reported in peer reviewed
university publications. Research is ongoing and green
roofs should be an ideal application for learning.
EcoCover topped by a decorative mulch like bark
or other material should work
well with closely spaced plantings on
planted roof systems that eventually mature to
provide their own shade cover to control weeds.
See
EcoCoverRF™ product specifications in PDF.
If you have a green roof project
where you would like to experiment with EcoCover we
would be pleased to discuss providing material at no
cost in exchange for visual feedback and detailed
reporting.
Please contact me
today. Cheers,
Ron Castle
EcoCover Business Development North America
If you are outside North
America, please inquire. I will send you information and get you connected with the EcoCover representative in your area.
Visit the
EcoCover website in New Zealand.
|
