Sta-green at Lowe’s greenhouse and gardening supplies

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No incident, no one hurt

   Made Aug 18, 2025 · , sent to the company Aug 21, 2025 · , published by CPSC Sep 5, 2025

   The product, in the report: Purchased from Lowe’s: Sta-green Premium Brown Mulch, 2.0 cubic feet

   I purchased mulch manufactured by [REDACTED] that is contaminated with construction debris (wood with nails, painted wood, bits of metal, scraps of plastic wrap). I purchased this in May 2025 at Lowe’s with the brand name Sta-Green, then in August at [REDACTED] with the brand name [REDACTED], which I wasn’t aware was also manufactured by [REDACTED] when I bought it.

   My complaint is based on a concern about safety. The nails, metal, paint, plastic trash in the mulch are a potential safety hazard, especially if put down in areas to which children and pets have access. Also, because this is old construction material, what other contaminants (lead, asbestos?) might it also contain? Do the manufacturer and the retailers selling this mulch have a responsibility to alert customers to be careful about the presence of construction debris in the mulch? What responsibility does this manufacturer have to ensure that their product is safe? Have they violated safety standards especially by continuing to sell the mulch months after having received numerous complaints about it?

   In May-June 2025, I spoke to the customer service departments at both Lowe’s and [REDACTED], neither of which expressed any concern about the potential hazards of this mulch. Lowe’s was unwilling to tell me what steps, if any, they would take to prevent the continued sale of this contaminated mulch.

   Here is the series of events I experienced.

   On May 26, 2025, I purchased six bags of Sta-green brown mulch, manufactured by [REDACTED], at Lowe’s, 1005 Village Center Drive, Tarentum, PA, 15084.

   When putting the mulch out, I discovered that it was contaminated with construction debris (wood with nails, painted wood, bits of metal, scraps of plastic wrap). I pulled much of the construction debris out, saved some of it as evidence, and threw some away. I tried to leave only safe pieces of wood out. I put this mulch down on a slope in my front yard that is not walked on by people or pets. I would not put this mulch down in an area that people or pets might walk on because of the safety hazard it poses.

   On May 27, I wrote a one-star review of the mulch on Lowe’s website stating that there was construction material in the mulch. I saw NUMEROUS other one-star reviews also complaining about the mulch containing construction debris. Both [REDACTED] and Lowe’s were aware of this problem at that time.

   On May 27, I called the manufacturer. The person I spoke with admitted that the building materials were probably used to keep up with orders. He gave me a case number and told me I’d receive an email within 24 hours so that I could send pictures. I never received an email from [REDACTED]. I didn’t get the name of the person, but my phone records show a 13-minute call with [REDACTED] on May 27.

   On May 29, I emailed Lowe’s directly because I hadn’t heard back from [REDACTED].

   On June 2, I called [REDACTED] again. This person could find no record of my case number. He told me I needed to email [REDACTED], which I did by forwarding along with pictures of the construction debris in the mulch.

   On May 29, I emailed Lowe’s directly because I hadn’t heard back from [REDACTED].

   On June 5, having not heard back from either company, I called Lowe’s Customer Service. There was no concern from Lowe’s about the contamination of the product with construction debris, no admittance that the mulch was defective, and no assurance that they wouldn’t continue to sell a hazardous product. Initially I was told that the only way to get a refund was to return the product to the store. I explained why the product had been used and that it was now on the slope of my front yard, minus the pieces of construction debris that I found. I ultimately was sent a $12 gift card and was told that it was my fault for using the mulch.

   Some time in July, I received a check for $15 from [REDACTED], with no explanation or apology.

   On August 12, 2025, I purchased 4 bags of [REDACTED]mulch from [REDACTED], in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh. Putting that mulch out, I soon discovered more construction debris, including the piece of wood nearly 10” long with the large nail sticking out. I looked at the bag only to see that Oldcastle was the manufacturer of this mulch, too. I have saved a bag of samples of the contaminated mulch.

   Over two months after the initial complaint, [REDACTED] is still selling contaminated mulch, and I am now not hesitating to file a complaint and request that Old Castle be held accountable for selling an unsafe product to the public.

   Should this mulch be recalled? Or the public at least be notified of the potential hazards? What if there have already been injuries because of this mulch? And what responsibilities do the retailers, Lowe’s and [REDACTED], have to remove a product after being alerted to presence of contamination.

   Model

   Brown mulch

   UPC

   742786912084

   Bought from

   Lowe’s, 1005 Village Center Drive, Tarentum, PA

   Bought

   May 26, 2025

   Where

   Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Other

   Who was involved

   Age 64, Female

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Sta-green at Lowe’s, made or sold by LF, LLC

   Reports CPSC links to it

   20250820-69C2A-5499732

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   No Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources