What is run-to-waste?

What is run-to-waste?

Coir glossary · Updated 2026-09-22

Open hydroponic system where nutrient solution drains through the coir substrate and is not recirculated. Simpler than closed recirculating systems but uses more water and fertilizer. The drain fraction (typically 20–30% of applied volume) carries away accumulated salts, preventing root-zone EC buildup. Widely used with coir grow bags for tomato and pepper production.

Run-to-waste: equivalents.

PT: sistema aberto · ES: sistema abierto / drenaje libre

Source: Cadena · Industry practice. Definition from the Carve coir glossary, where the full source list is given.

Related terms.

Soilless culture: Any cultivation system that replaces natural soil with substrates (coir, peat, perlite, rockwool, composted bark) or…

Retention curve: Graph plotting substrate water content against applied suction or tension.

Hydroponics: Soilless plant cultivation using mineral nutrient solutions, with or without a solid growing medium.

See also: Coir Pith · back to the coir glossary.

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About this page. Part of the coir glossary maintained by Carve Biorrefinaria Agroindustrial Ltda, a coir pith and fiber producer in Paraipaba, Ceará, Brazil. Corrections: [email protected].