Becoming more sustainable and eco-friendlier in floristry.

What is sustainable floristry?

“Sustainability looks to protect our natural environment, human and ecological health, while driving innovation and not compromising our way of life.”

The heart of floristry is our love for working with nature. More than ever, it is important for us to work more sustainably, to protect the planet and precious resources for the next generation.

We as florists have a commitment of being mindful as we work towards a greener and more sustainable future, and I am constantly looking for ways to improve how we do things, and flowing several groups who are working hard to producing alternative ecofriendly products.

We cannot hide the fact that the majority of my flowers are several times per week, freshly imported from Europe by air or sea, therefore I try and reduce this by buying local UK based seasonal flowers.

Making the change and adapting our methods to be more sustainable can seem overwhelming. There are lots of options you can think about for your practice, for example biodegradable, recycled, compostable etc.

Flowers have a high carbon footprint. They are transported overseas all over the world from Holland, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Ecuador and more, plastic packaging, and single use items contribute to florists creating more carbon emissions and waste.

How can I as a florist work green and ethically?

It is important for me as a sustainable florist to make choices. You can make decisions about the flowers to use, the materials, who I buy from, waste, chemicals, conditioning flowers, repurpose and reuse. It is vital to educate my customers and student florists about being eco-friendly, spreading the message to make us florists more sustainable and more viable.

My steps as a florist to being more eco-friendly

There are simple, small steps that we can take in our own practice to help and make a significant change.

1. Embrace the natural season
2. Buy from a local supplier
3. Re-use, recycle and minimise waste
4. Educate my customers
5. Use sustainable floristry techniques
6. Buy recyclable products, also natural organic products

7. Glass and plastic products, are all recycled plastic and glass and reusable.

8. Waste management

• All waste is sorted and recycled

• Our green waste is composted

9. Water management. Water from our buckets and vases is used to water my garden

10. Our delivery slots have been reviewed and consolidated to twice a day not 6 to ensure we can be efficient and reduce the time our car is on the road, thereby reducing traffic pollution.

Sustainable Floristry Techniques

There are tools and methods that can be used for florists and floral designers that avoid the use of floral foam.

· Floral Foam was developed in the 1950’s and revolutionised floristry practices

· Being super absorbent, it is used to keep flowers hydrated for days, helping to secure and provide structure to floral design and transportation of floral arrangements.

· Despite the benefits of using foam, it is bad for the environment. The floral foam (wet) is formaldehyde-based and it is not biodegradable meaning it will not break down in landfill.

My alternatives in current practice are:

1. Use of Agrawool, a natural alternative to foam
2. Chicken wire
3. Re-usable/recyclable glassware
4. Moss
5. Hay and straw
6. Twigs, sticks, bamboo
7. Use of twine instead of plastic strings and metal wires
8. Compostable cellophane, cardboard bouquet boxes, biodegradable ribbons
9. Reusable recycled metal pin holders (spikes to put flowers stems in water)

10. My flower food packaging supplied with every flower order, is biodegradable.

What you can do as a customer to help?

· Please pop everything in the right bin!

· Shop locally and support local businesses,

· All of these simple steps will help, support the reduction in carbon emissions and air pollution, plus you’ll be supporting your own local economy. Thank you so much!

What are the benefits of being more sustainable?

I have eco-friendly credentials, materials, and practice in my business plan, and share this approach with my customers. The more we use the natural resources of our planet, the less there is for the next generation.

Hope you found this informative and a positive approach to the ways we florist’s work.

Love and best wishes Chris