Reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose

Sustainability starts with everyday choices. At Helena, we embrace the "4Rs" — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Repurpose — to minimize waste, conserve resources, and find innovative ways to extend the lifecycle of materials. These practices help us operate more efficiently while supporting a more sustainable future for agriculture.

Reduce: Smarter Strategies, Fewer Resources

Reducing waste begins with rethinking consumption. Helena is committed to using resources more efficiently, from water and plant nutrition to fuel and logistics.

  • Plant nutrition over fertilization. Products like Hydra-Hume and N-Fixx allow growers to optimize nutrient uptake, reducing fertilizer use without compromising yields.
  • Advanced technology. From AI-driven bioscience products to soil amendments, Helena helps growers maximize results with fewer inputs.
  • Fleet & logistics efficiency. Our updated fleet includes more fuel-efficient vehicles, combination tankers, and see-and-spray technology to minimize resource use. By staging fleets, consolidating deliveries, and reducing unnecessary trips, we save fuel and time while cutting emissions.
  • Concentrated chemistries. Innovations in chemical formulations cover more acres with less product, reducing overall chemical use.
  • Teamwork. Sharing employees across locations ensures efficient use of talent and time.

Reuse: Extending Value Across the Supply Chain

Helena actively works to reuse materials and equipment whenever possible, giving items a second — or third — life.

  • Containers & pallets. Mini bulk tanks, totes, and Pro Boxes are reused for everything from micro-nutrients to dry blends. Seed bags are repurposed for food plot mixes.
  • Rinse water & equipment. By reusing rinse water and parts from older equipment, we reduce waste and operational costs.
  • Shared resources. Equipment and tools are redistributed across locations to ensure maximum utility.

Recycle: A Commitment to Circular Solutions

Recycling ensures materials that can no longer be reused are processed responsibly.

  • Material recycling. From cardboard and pallets to metals, tires, and used oils, we’re committed to responsible recycling practices.
  • Seed bags for JIT treatments. Old seed bags are recycled into materials for Just-in-Time seed treatments, ensuring minimal waste.
  • Innovative packaging. Poly bags are used for small fertilizer applications, reducing the need for single-use alternatives.

Repurpose: Transforming Waste into New Solutions

Repurposing transforms old materials into innovative tools and solutions, turning potential waste into valuable resources.

  • Creative equipment repurposing. Conveyer belts become mud flaps, foam marker tanks are converted into rinse water tanks, and old vehicles find new uses in different applications.
  • Office innovations. Backside of printed paper becomes note space, while old oil is repurposed for chain lubrication.
  • Farm solutions. Fertilizer mistakes are used on smaller plots to avoid waste, and chemical boxes are reused for soil sample shipments.