We strive to build the Gardyn (and its packaging) with sustainable materials whenever possible, and we are continually testing our materials to make improvements.
Gardyn Columns, yPods, Pod Caps, & Water Tank
The Gardyn's columns, yPods, Pod Caps, and water tank are made of food-grade, FDA-compliant, ABS plastic, commonly used in medical-grade equipment and children’s toys. They are NOT made of PVC.
Gardyn Lid Top
The Gardyn 3.0 lid top is made from Hevia wood, also known as rubberwood, a type of hardwood tree in the maple family. The Gardyn 2.0 lid top is made from bamboo wood.
yCubes: Casing, Rockwool, & Seeds
Garydyn yCubes are made up of three parts: the casing, rockwool, and seeds.
Casing
We are transitioning all of our yCubes' casing from a corn-based plastic to a more sustainable, tapioca-based casing. Both casings are compostable in industrial composters. You'll notice a slight visual difference between the two casings, but it will not affect your yCubes' growth.
Rockwool
The interior of yCubes is made up of rockwool, a natural, rock-based growing medium. Rockwool holds water well and does not dry out when stored for prolonged periods of time, while also retaining its structure when wet, even after many months on your Gardyn!
Rockwool is composed of natural mineral elements melted into fibers and woven together. They are not compostable, but remember, neither are rocks!
Rockwool does not contribute harmful chemicals to the environment, and you can add rockwool from retired yCubes directly to the ground without worrying about negative environmental consequences. Reused rockwool can be especially helpful to increase water retention in gardens or flower pots that otherwise quickly go dry.
Inhaling rockwool fibers is only dangerous when you are handling and manipulating rockwool in large quantities. This danger does not apply when handling yCubes. We recommend preventing your pets from drinking water out of germination trays containing yCubes so they do not accidentally ingest any fibers. The Gardyn Sprout Nursery has a built-in cover and tray to block access to its water.
Seeds
We include 2-6 seeds in each yCube to maximize your chances of germination. The number of seeds varies depending on seed size. Gardyn's seeds are non-GMO and organically sourced whenever possible, but don't worry, the resulting plants you grow will still be pesticide and herbicide-free! We also offer seedless yCubes for you to grow your own varieties!
Packaging
The Gardyn Home Kit 3.0 features our sleekest packaging yet, using all-recycled materials and just 1 box to reduce the amount of materials used. All cardboard used in every Gardyn shipment also comes from 100% recycled content and 95% post-consumer waste.
Questions? Reach us at support@mygardyn.com, or chat with us! We're here to help.