Water conservation is one of the most urgent priorities in green building — especially in landscaping. Developers, cities, and commercial clients are demanding landscape products that reduce water use and qualify for LEED or municipal credits.
Distributors have a big opportunity: by partnering with vendors who supply water-saving materials, you gain access to new markets, support sustainable site design, and deliver quantifiable value. Here’s how to do it — and how to track it all using your ERP.
🌿 WHAT QUALIFIES AS WATER-SAVING MATERIAL?
Smart irrigation systems (weather-based controllers, sensors)
Permeable pavers and hardscape
Drought-tolerant turf and native plant mixes
Subsurface drip irrigation
Mulch and soil enhancers that reduce evaporation
🤝 HOW TO BUILD STRONG GREEN VENDOR PARTNERSHIPS
- Vendor Evaluation Criteria
Ask vendors for:
Product specs showing water reduction benefits
Certifications: EPA WaterSense, SITES-approved, LEED credits
Manufacturer sustainability policies
- Score and Tag Vendors in Your ERP
Add vendor scorecards:
Water-saving innovation
Documentation support
Regional suitability
- Align Procurement with Sustainability Goals
Prioritize vendors with proven water efficiency data
Negotiate joint marketing opportunities for public sector or ESG-driven projects
🛠️ ERP FEATURES TO SUPPORT THE PARTNERSHIP
Tag SKUs as “Water-Saving” or “Drought-Ready”
Store technical docs and rebate eligibility
Run vendor performance reports (fill rate, compliance, rebate claims supported)
📈 WHAT TO TRACK
% of landscaping SKUs from water-saving vendors
of projects served with low-water materials
Rebates or municipal incentives supported
Customer satisfaction for irrigation-ready packages
📢 MARKETING IDEAS
“Smart Landscaping Kit” — include controller, sensors, drip tubing
LEED v4.1 SITES guide with qualifying product bundles
Educational blog series: “How to Build a Drought-Ready Landscape with Less Effort”
🏁 FINAL THOUGHTS
The future of landscaping is low-water, high-performance. By partnering with the right vendors and tracking impact with your ERP, you can grow your revenue while shrinking your environmental footprint.
📞 Need help tagging water-saving products, rating vendors, or building irrigation-ready kits in your ERP? Let’s take your strategy to the next level.
