It’s time to talk about sustainability

It’s time to talk about sustainability and the environmental impact of floristry as an industry. Many people think about flowers and beautiful bouquets, and think that this is good for the environment. The products are natural, right? They are grown locally, right? There can’t be anything wrong with this, right?

 

Well, some of that is true, and some of that is not. It’s not the “cleanest” of industries, and it has its issues, a few of which we try to offset at Green Darling Flowers, but there are some issues which simply cannot be overcome, and we need to do better.

 

Why it’s bad:

 

• Pesticides and Chemicals: Many flowers are grown using pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers, which can harm local ecosystems, pollute water sources, and pose health risks to workers and customers.
• Water Usage: Flower cultivation, especially in arid regions, require substantial amounts of water, contributing to water scarcity.
• Transportation Emissions: Flowers are frequently imported from distant locations, resulting in a substantial carbon footprint from transportation, including air and refrigerated shipping.
• Waste and Packaging: Floristry generates considerable waste, including plastic wraps, foam, and other non-biodegradable materials used in packaging and arrangements.
• Land Use: Large-scale flower farming can lead to habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity as land is cleared for cultivation.
• Post-Harvest Treatments: Flowers are often treated with preservatives and dyes to extend shelf life and enhance appearance, introducing more chemicals into the environment.

 

 

So, what do we do to help?

 

Sustainability in the florist industry focuses on practices that minimise environmental impact, promote social responsibility, and ensure economic viability. Here are some key aspects of sustainability in our sector:

 

• Environmental Impact
  • Sustainable Sourcing: Using locally grown flowers reduces carbon emissions from transportation and supports local economies. As far as possible, Green Darling Flowers sources flowers from as many local suppliers as possible, contributing to environmental sustainability.
  • Waste Reduction: Florists can reduce waste by recycling floral packaging, and using biodegradable or reusable containers and materials. Green Darling Flowers prides themselves on their recycling habits and by using as many reusable containers. We do not wrap our flowers in plastic. Our tags are all made of paper, and they are attached to products using string. The stickers we use are made of vinyl – this is not recyclable and we are trying to source more environmentally-friendly options.

 

• Social Responsibility
  • Fair Labour Practices: Ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and no exploitation in the supply chain is crucial. We only buy from local suppliers who have passed their checks for the prevention of modern slavery.
  • Community Engagement: Supporting local communities through charity events, donations, and collaboration with local businesses fosters social sustainability. We support charities as often as we can, and are always on the lookout for charities who we can help.

 

• Economic Viability
  • Supporting Local Farmers: Buying from local flower growers keeps money within the community and helps sustain local agriculture. We only buy from local suppliers, and are always on the lookout for even more locally-sourced product.
  • Diversification: We have can diversified our offerings to include eco-friendly products like potted plants and sustainable floral arrangements, which attract environmentally conscious customers. As above, we have done away with as much plastic and non-recyclable materials. Your orders will be received or delivered in a paper bag, which is recyclable.

 

 

 

Challenges

 

While sustainability in the florist industry has many benefits, there are several challenges and negative aspects to consider:

 

• Higher Costs
  • Increased Prices: Sustainable flowers often come at a higher cost due to more expensive farming practices, fair wages, and certifications. This does lead to higher retail prices, which oftentimes deters more price-sensitive customers.
  • Operational Expenses: Implementing sustainable practices is burdensome for small businesses such as ours. We are doing what we can to keep prices down, and will continue to do so for the benefit of our customers.

 

• Limited Availability and Selection
  • Seasonal and Local Constraints: Focusing on locally sourced and seasonal flowers limits the variety available to florists, especially in regions with shorter growing seasons or less diverse flora. This is a big one for us. We try to only get seasonal flowers in stock, but it is sometimes prohibitively difficult. Where we require specific product for a specific (usually specifically requested) arrangement or bouquet and it is not in season, we may, from time to time, purchase that stock from a supplier who has grown these in greenhouses. Whilst these are not the most environmentally-friendly options, they keep true to the “buying local” mantra.
  • Supply Chain Issues: Reliable access to sustainably grown flowers can be inconsistent, leading to supply shortages or quality issues. This is the nature of the beast, and we just have to live with what options are available to us. Rest assured that we try to keep things as local as possible, to get around supply chain issues.

 

• Customer Awareness and Demand
  • Lack of Customer Awareness: Many customers are not aware of or do not prioritise sustainability in their purchasing decisions. This can result in lower demand for sustainably sourced flowers, making it harder for us to justify the higher costs. These customers may turn to other florists who do not have the same moral compass, and that is okay; we trust that the right customers will come through our doors, for the right reason, for the right product.
  • Market Competition: Conventional flowers, often cheaper and more readily available, dominate the market. Competing with these options is challenging for florists like us who are committed to sustainability. Again, customers may turn to other florists who do not have the same moral compass, and that is okay. We still trust that the right customers will come through our doors, for the right reason, for the right product.

 

• Environmental Trade-offs
  • Energy Use in Greenhouses: While locally grown flowers reduce transportation emissions, those grown in heated greenhouses can have a high carbon footprint, potentially offsetting some environmental benefits. This is oftentimes unavailable, but we do try and avoid this as much as possible.

 

• Social and Economic Impacts
  • Impact on Developing Countries: Shifting focus to local and seasonal flowers can negatively impact flower farmers in developing countries who rely on export markets for their livelihoods. Reduced demand for imported flowers can lead to economic hardship in these regions. This is a really tough cone, and is a real conundrum. The impact to overseas growers is significant as we transition to more sustainable practices. We can only take heart that we keep as local as possible, and that allows us to ensure that we avoid the child-labour / modern day slavery issues which are so prevalent outside of Australia.

 

By adopting these practices, we contribute to a more sustainable industry that benefits the environment, society, and the economy.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank so much for the support.