A once-forgotten corner of a factory site is now buzzing with life and redefining what sustainability can look like in Sri Lanka’s industrial sector.

At Haycarb’s Madampe site, sustainability takes flight literally through a thriving pollinator garden that’s embedding nature into the heart of industrial sustainability.
What began as a modest effort to green an overlooked corner of the factory has grown into something much more: a fully functional pollinator habitat, created using internal resources, circular inputs, and thoughtful design. Its regeneration made tangible, with measurable impact and the potential for replication across sites.

TURNING GREY ZONES GREEN

Just over a year ago, the space in question 17,000 square feet near the chemical storage area posed two issues: it lacked greenery and pollinator life, and its proximity to chemicals made it a key zone for air quality vigilance. Instead of isolating it further, our sustainability team asked a bigger question: What if we could transform this space into an ecological buffer that actually tells us how healthy our environment is?

Pollinators like butterflies and bees are highly responsive to air quality and environmental changes. Their presence or absence tells you more than a sensor ever could.

BUILT FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Rather than commissioning an external landscaper or importing ornamental plants, the team opted for an in-house, circular approach:

• Native and adapted plant species (around 35 in total, 15 of which are Sri Lankan native) selected for their ability to attract pollinators, adapt to local conditions, and require minimal care.
• 100% recycled water from the site’s own treated effluent and STP systems no freshwater withdrawals.
• Compost from factory organic waste, closing the loop on nutrient flows.
• Minimal cost, as almost all materials and manpower came from internal teams and operations.

It’s a closed-loop system that demonstrates how circularity can be practical, scalable, and visually striking all without interrupting core operations.

OUR EFFORT SAW LIGHT

The transformation was rapid. Within weeks of planting, butterflies began to return. Carpenter bees drilled tiny holes in soft branches. Dragonflies hovered over flowering Ixora. The team began informally tracking species during breaks and site walks – over 50 species identified across different months so far, with more expected as the garden grows and becomes further naturalized.

But these visitors were more than just aesthetic. Pollinators are sensitive to air quality and chemical shifts. Their presence and patterns serve as real-time, low-tech indicators of environmental health. The garden became both a haven and a barometer.

MORE THAN A GARDEN: A LIVING EXAMPLE OF “ACTIVATE”

The pollinator garden is not an isolated initiative. It is a living example of Haycarb’s broader ACTIVATE ESG Roadmap, which outlines our path to 2030 and beyond.

The garden directly aligns with two of our five key pillars:

• Restore – Repurposing underutilized land into biodiverse, climate-resilient zones.
• Inspire – Creating spaces that engage and educate employees daily, not just during events.

It also advances several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED AND GAINED

• Industrial sites can support vibrant ecosystems: Even a half-acre of native plants can deliver more biodiversity, water efficiency, and engagement than traditional landscaping.
• Pollinators offer real-time insight: Tracking bee and butterfly activity gives us low-tech, high-value feedback on site conditions.
• Everyday moments matter: Daily connection with nature nurtures environmental awareness and slowly builds a culture of care across the workplace.
• The benefits are tangible: The garden has enriched site greenery, lowered costs through internal resources, engaged employees, and enhanced our credibility with visitors and auditors.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR SRI LANKA AND BEYOND

Pollinators are responsible for one in every three bites of food we eat, yet global populations are under pressure from habitat loss and climate change.

By showing that even a specialized manufacturing site can become a thriving micro-ecosystem, Haycarb is helping to redefine what responsible industry looks like not just in theory, but in practice.

This garden may be small on a map, but its impact stretches far. It nurtures biodiversity, sparks curiosity, and reminds us that sustainability isn’t about declarations it’s about action.

Today, it stands as a quiet yet powerful reminder: there is still space for nature and biodiversity, even at the heart of industry.