At Verbadarie Flowers, we believe that true beauty should never come at the expense of our planet. The floristry industry, while celebrating nature's wonders, has traditionally had significant environmental impacts—from carbon emissions in production and transportation to chemical usage and waste generation.
Today, we want to share our ongoing journey toward more sustainable practices, the changes we've implemented, and how you as consumers can make more eco-conscious choices when it comes to flowers.
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Floristry
Before discussing solutions, it's important to understand the challenges. The conventional flower industry faces several environmental issues:
- Carbon footprint: Many flowers are flown thousands of miles from countries like Colombia, Kenya, and Ecuador to meet year-round demand in the UK.
- Chemical usage: Conventional flower farming often relies heavily on pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers that can harm ecosystems and workers.
- Water consumption: Flower growing can be water-intensive, often in regions where water is already scarce.
- Plastic waste: From cellophane wrapping to floral foam, traditional floristry generates significant single-use plastic waste.
- Floral foam: A petroleum-based product that doesn't biodegrade and breaks down into microplastics.
The good news is that the industry is changing, with many florists like ourselves committed to finding better ways to work with flowers while respecting the environment.
Our Sustainable Practices at Verbadarie Flowers
We've implemented several changes to reduce our environmental footprint:
1. Seasonal and Local Sourcing
We prioritize British-grown flowers whenever possible, working with a network of UK growers who share our values. This approach:
- Reduces carbon emissions from transportation
- Supports the local economy and small-scale farmers
- Provides fresher flowers that typically last longer
- Reconnects us with natural seasons and regional flora
During winter months when local options are limited, we source from European growers who meet strict environmental and fair labor standards before considering more distant sources.
2. Foam-Free Designs
Perhaps the most significant change we've made is eliminating floral foam from our designs. Instead, we use:
- Chicken wire and branch frameworks to create structure in arrangements
- Pin holders (flower frogs) for certain designs
- Hand-tying techniques that require no additional mechanics
- Reusable glass pebbles to anchor stems in clear containers
- Biodegradable alternatives like wool and moss for specific applications
This shift has pushed us to develop new skills and adapt traditional techniques, resulting in arrangements that are not only better for the environment but often more natural and dynamic in appearance.
3. Sustainable Packaging
We've reimagined our packaging approach to eliminate single-use plastics:
- Replaced cellophane wraps with recyclable kraft paper, fabric wraps, or biodegradable plant-based films
- Switched to paper tape instead of plastic tape
- Use recycled glass vases or biodegradable containers
- Created a vase return program with incentives for customers
- Offer "naked bouquets" for local pickups, minimizing unnecessary packaging
4. Waste Reduction and Composting
We've implemented comprehensive waste management practices:
- Compost all green waste, creating nutrient-rich soil for our small cutting garden
- Repurpose flowers through our "Second Bloom" program, donating arrangements to local care homes
- Use leftover flowers and foliage for natural dye projects or dried arrangements
- Collect rainwater for plant irrigation
- Recycle all eligible materials and minimize landfill waste
5. Sustainable Transportation
We're reducing our delivery-related emissions by:
- Using electric vehicles for local deliveries
- Optimizing delivery routes to minimize mileage
- Offering incentives for collection rather than delivery
- Consolidating supplier orders to reduce transportation frequency
Beyond Flowers: Our Holistic Approach
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond just flower sourcing and designs:
- Energy efficiency: Our studio uses LED lighting and renewable energy sources
- Water conservation: We implement water-saving practices throughout our operations
- Ethical purchasing: We source supplies from companies with strong environmental policies
- Education: We offer workshops on sustainable floristry techniques
- Transparency: We're honest about our journey and challenges in becoming more sustainable
How You Can Choose More Sustainable Flowers
As a consumer, you have significant power to drive positive change through your choices:
1. Embrace Seasonality
Just as eating seasonally makes sense for food, choosing seasonal flowers reduces environmental impact and often results in fresher, more interesting arrangements:
- Ask your florist what's in season locally
- Be open to alternatives rather than insisting on out-of-season blooms
- Appreciate the changing seasonal palette throughout the year
2. Ask Questions About Sourcing
Don't hesitate to inquire about where and how flowers are grown:
- "Do you source any local or British-grown flowers?"
- "Do you know how these flowers were grown?"
- "Do you work with any certified sustainable growers?"
Look for certifications like Fairtrade, MPS (Milieu Programma Sierteelt), or LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) that indicate higher environmental and social standards.
3. Request Foam-Free Designs
When ordering arrangements, specifically request foam-free designs. Many florists now offer this option but may default to foam unless customers specify otherwise.
4. Consider the Full Lifecycle
Think about what happens to your flowers after they've finished blooming:
- Compost spent blooms rather than sending them to landfill
- Return vases and containers for reuse if possible
- Consider longer-lasting options like potted plants for some occasions
5. Support Florists Committed to Sustainability
Your purchasing decisions help drive market change. By choosing florists who prioritize sustainable practices, you're helping to shift the industry in a positive direction.
The Challenges of Sustainable Floristry
While we're committed to our environmental values, we believe in transparency about the challenges:
- Seasonality limitations: British winters offer limited local blooms, requiring careful planning and creativity
- Price considerations: Sustainably grown flowers often (though not always) cost more to produce
- Consumer expectations: Educating customers about seasonal availability and why certain flowers may not be available year-round
- Design adaptations: Some traditional design approaches need rethinking when eliminating floral foam
Despite these challenges, we believe the benefits—for our planet, our customers, and the quality of our work—far outweigh the difficulties.
Looking Forward: The Future of Sustainable Floristry
The floristry industry is at an exciting inflection point. We're seeing positive developments including:
- Growth in the British flower farming movement
- Development of truly biodegradable alternatives to floral foam
- Increased consumer awareness and demand for sustainable options
- Innovation in packaging materials and methods
- Knowledge sharing among florists committed to sustainability
At Verbadarie Flowers, we're continuously learning, adapting, and improving our practices. We recognize that sustainability is a journey rather than a destination—there's always more to learn and ways to improve.
Your Role in the Sustainable Flower Movement
Every bouquet purchased is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. By choosing locally grown, seasonal flowers from florists committed to sustainable practices, you're supporting:
- A reduction in carbon emissions from international flower transportation
- Less chemical usage in flower production
- Preservation of biodiversity through varied growing practices
- Fairer working conditions for flower growers and farmers
- The continuation of regional growing traditions and flower varieties
We invite you to join us in this movement toward more mindful, sustainable floristry. Beautiful flowers and environmental responsibility can—and should—go hand in hand.
If you have questions about our sustainable practices or would like to learn more about eco-friendly flower options for your next event or gift, please don't hesitate to contact us.