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SUSTAINABLEFLORISTRY BEST
PRACTICES
MAKE YOUR FLORAL BUS INESS MOREECOFRIENDLY AND SUSTAINABLE
B E C K Y F E A S B Y & T O B E Y N E L S O NP R E S E N T
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE FLORISTRY?Sustainability is a holistic approach that considers social, economic andecological dimensions - recognizing that they must be considered together inorder to find lasting prosperity. In the field of floristry, sustainability meansdoing the best for the environment and our local communities, whilemaintaining the economic integrity of our business.
Floristry is a dirty industry! Here are ideas for things each of us can do tomake our floral business more sustainable. Small changes add up to bigimpacts, creating businesses that are more ethically and environmentally
responsible and improving the whole industry.. Doing any of these things isbetter than doing none of them!
FLORISTRY IS A D IRTY BUS INESS :
l e t ' s c l ean i t up
FLORVERDE ensures ethical and environmental standards VERIFLORA is the gold standard for agricultural sustainabilityFAIRTRADE protects workers rights in developing countries RAINFOREST ALLIANCE promotes sustainable agricultureand worker welfare
Buy Local - it creates jobsLook for ethical designations from suppliers:
What can you do?
The fresh flower industry is full of social justice issuesthat stem largely from exploitation in the supplychain. Health & safety of workers, workingconditions, fair wage and basic human rights are allconcerns that need to be considered by floralprofessionals. These certifiers help ensure improvedworking conditions. Use your purchase power forgood and ensure that you are purchasing certifiedflowers!
SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONSMake sure your floral business is economically sustainable! Consider yourbusiness practices - are they cost effective? Are you making a profit?
What can you do?
Know your market - price accordingly! Charge your worth.Pay a living wage - to your workers and yourself!Educate customers on the value of your work and of sustainable floristry.Create supportive networks.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
This is the area with the biggest possibility for creating change. Funnyhow an industry associated with the beauty of nature can be so out ofharmony with it! There are so many things to consider when thinkingabout the floral industry & the environment. Beginning with production- herbicides, pesticides, preservatives; water usage & runoff; horticulturalplastics; energy consumption - and on to transportation (carbonfootprint); packing waste; fumigants - and then on to designing -preservatives, floral foam, packing waste, floral debris.
Buy local + in seasonCompost + RecycleDo not use floral foamReclaim your mechanicsUse natural fibre strings/ribbonsAvoid painted and bleached productsForage ethically and responsiblyAdvocate for reduced plasticpackaging with wholesalers / growersUse non-paraffin candles at eventsUse 100%post consumer recycledpaper in your office and printedmaterials, or go paperless!
What can you do?
branches and twigschicken wireHolly Chapple x Syndicate Sales "pillows"moss, wood excelsior
EcoFresh Bouquet Wrapsreusable water tubes buckets, vases, jars
For support and structure:
For water source:
Invented in the early 1950s by Vernon Lewis Smithers, the green brickwith a solid, sponge-like consistency (often known as Oasis, after theoriginal proprietary brand, but this is not the only producer nowadays)has been a benchmark tool in contemporary floristry. It is a single-useplastic made by reacting phenol and formaldehyde to create a foam.That foam is treated with additional chemicals to give it the uniqueability to soak up water.
The science is clear – floral foam is a single-useplastic that breaks down into microplastics that
contaminates waterways, aquatic life and humans.
ALTERNATIVES TO FOAM
A WORD ABOUT FLORAL FOAM
Becky Feasby, prairie girl flowersCalgary, AB, Canada
Tobey Nelson, Tobey Nelson Weddings + EventsWhidbey Island, WA, USA
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The floral industry is international andcomplex, with flowers being grownand shipped all over the world and
used in many different ways.Nevertheless, it is possible to sourceand design flowers consciously andsustainably, ensuring that we canenjoy their beauty while avoiding
social exploitation and environmentaldegradation.
N e v e r d o u b t t h a t a s m a l l g r o u p o f t h o u g h t f u l ,c o m m i t t e d c i t i z e n s c a n c h a n g e t h e w o r l d . I n d e e d , i t i s t h e o n l y t h i n g t h a t e v e r h a s .
M A R G A R E T M E A D
Together, we can make a difference!
