CASE

Sweden's first park for reused plants

City:

Gothenburg
Location:

Campus Medicinareberget
Sustainability area:

Biodiversity

Here plants get a second chance

In the recycling park on Medicinareberget in Gothenburg, plants are temporarily stored before new placement elsewhere or on another campus.

More about the project

The idea for the new park arose in connection with the dismantling of a building in central Gothenburg, where a project in circularity was carried out at the same time to test new ways of reusing in the design and construction process. An inventory of the existing vegetation and soil material was also linked to it. The selection for reuse was carried out according to a ranking where large plants, extra fine specimens and unique varieties were valued higher than others.

Rowan, rhododendron, and lilac buddleja

Instead of taking down the plants and taking them to a recycling station, a rowan, rhododendron bushes, hybrid emperor olives, shade rowan, laurel and lilac buddleja were moved from the site. Some bamboo plants, along with other plants, ended up in planters outside their own headquarters. The rest was moved directly to the recycling park, which is located on Medicinareberget.

The recycling park has become a dynamic place – a park that changes over time. Here, the plants live on while waiting to be moved again. Some have contributed to creating spatiality around a pond, others are scattered throughout the park, which is mainly visited by students and researchers from the departments next door. A sign with information tells about the reuse theme and why the park changes over time.

Nine tips along the way!

Economy

The more plants, the better the calculation
Location

Find a place where changeability fits.
Cost-effective

Transplanting already mature trees, shrubs, and other plants saves money!
Transport and machines

Have access to a machinery fleet and transport services.
Competence

Seek help from colleagues or external parties with plant expertise who know how to prune before relocation and understand the soil conditions in which the plants thrive during a move.
Accessibility

Place the planting areas near a location where a crane truck can easily access to deliver and retrieve plants without damaging the ground.
Biological value

The biological value increases with mature plants, as they have more flowering and larger volumes of leaves and wood.
Survey the species

Survey the species, quantity, and size of the plants, keeping in mind the final location they can be placed after temporary storage in the reuse park.
Find a central location

Try to find a central location for temporary storage of the plants. Otherwise, the time and transportation involved in replanting may diminish the environmental benefits.