Ecochopper awarded with Kleurkeur certification

A new standard in sustainable mowing thanks to eco-conscious technology

Ecological verge management is becoming increasingly important for governments and contractors. The Herder Ecochopper – an innovative mower – has now been officially certified under the Kleurkeur guidelines developed by De Vlinderstichting and Groenkeur. With this certification, Herder offers a practical, approved solution for professionals who aim to preserve biodiversity while working efficiently.

What is Kleurkeur, and why does it matter?

Kleurkeur is the national quality mark for ecological mowing in the Netherlands. It sets clear guidelines for protecting flora and fauna during the mowing of verges and green strips. An increasing number of public authorities include Kleurkeur as a requirement in their tenders. Contractors must then, among other things:

• Mow in phases to support biodiversity
• Take flowering periods and growing seasons into account
• Minimise harm to insects, small animals, and seeds
• Use machines without suction effects
• Limit soil disturbance as much as possible

Ecochopper: mowing with nature in mind

The Herder Ecochopper was specifically developed to meet these ecological standards. Unlike traditional flail mowers:

• It has no suction effect, allowing seeds to remain and sparing insects and small animals
• It features a specially designed roller that minimises soil disturbance
• It has been extensively tested and officially certified according to Kleurkeur

Thanks to this well-considered design, the Ecochopper demonstrably contributes to biodiversity preservation in verges, dikes, and green areas. After rigorous testing and multiple optimisations, the machine has now been awarded the Kleurkeur certification – a major step forward for contractors committed to ecological mowing.

Sustainable innovation for future-proof green management

The certification of the Ecochopper is in line with Herder’s broader sustainability vision. The company previously introduced the Fishprotector, a fish-friendly water intake solution, and is currently developing an electric mowing boat for zero-emission water management in cooperation with its sister brand Conver.