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Sustainability Strategy
Written by Dorina Mag
December 2024. (to be reviewed yearly)
Sustainability Statement of Purpose and Values
Transitioning from an educational background to a florist role played a significant part in my decision to establish an eco-conscious business. The knowledge gained during my RHS horticulture course, particularly in areas such as plants, pesticides and seasonality, greatly informed the foundation of our business. Witnessing the environmental impact of the florist industry, I was motivated to demonstrate that a more conscious-minded approach could significantly reduce its negative effects.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of our business philosophy and we believe in being transparent with our customers. Our commitment to sustainability is evident through key principles:
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Consistency: We maintain a consistent and unwavering approach to sustainability.
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Transparency: We openly communicate our actions, ensuring our customers are informed and empowered to make eco-friendly choices.
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Respect for the Planet and Human Rights: We prioritise the well-being of our planet and embrace principles of human rights.
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Community Celebration: We celebrate the successes of like-minded individuals, believing in the strength of a community.
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Continuous Learning: We actively seek and adopt new methods, adapting to evolving sustainable practices.
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Approachability and Inclusivity: We are approachable and inclusive, tailoring our support to individual needs.
Through conscious, targeted decision-making, we aim to positively impact social, economic and environmental factors, contributing to a more sustainable future in the florist industry.
Photo: Luke Cummins
OUR BLOOMS
1. Embracing Natural Beauty:
We deliberately avoid using chemically dyed or bleached flowers in our designs. Each bloom is cherished for its innate beauty, enriching the authenticity of our arrangements.
2. Promoting Lifecycles:
To minimise waste and faster an appreciation for natural lifecycles, we frequently incorporate natural dried flowers into our designs.
3. Everlasting Keepsakes:
On occasion, we introduce living plants into our designs, offering a heartfelt keepsake for families. Alternatively, these plants can be nurtured and repurposed for future events, contributing to a sustainable and enduring connection.
4. Local Blooms, Global Impact:
We proudly collaborate with a trusted group of British flower farmers in our local area. Their dedication to cultivating beautiful, organic and fragrant blooms, while adhering to eco-friendly practices, is deeply appreciated. We celebrate and recognise the hard work they invest in creating a better future for our planet.
5. Seasonal Harmony:
Our commitment is to align with the seasons, incorporating blooms that naturally flourish around us during specific times of the year. This not only adds authenticity and cohesion with nature to our creations but also promotes the use of in-season flowers.
OUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
1. Sustainable Mechanics:
From the very beginning, our commitment has been to move away from using any form of manufactured floral foam. Our approach involves imagination, creativity and continuous research to develop reusable, compostable and environmentally friendly mechanics. In our designs, we exclusively utilise reusable containers, chicken wire, water, moss, twigs and other natural materials.
2. Multi-Purpose Designs:
Our goal is to craft designs that serve more than one purpose. For instance, in the context of weddings, we create arrangements that seamlessly transition from the ceremony to the reception. We take the initiative to move these arrangements ourselves, allowing families to fully savour these moments.
3. Flower Impact Beyond:
We actively encourage our families to extend the joy of their wedding flowers by gifting them to their loved ones after the celebration. Any remaining blooms are thoughtfully donated to a charity, either chosen by the couple or facilitated by us. This ensures that the beauty of these floral creations reaches and brightens as many lives as possible.
4. Fully Compostable Designs:
For selected occasions, we offer designs featuring fully compostable elements. Our popular Christmas Wreath workshops exemplify this commitment, where participants arrange on a British-grown willow base using twine. Our commitment is the use of plant-based materials, wherever possible, which not only biodegrades but also turns into organic matter.
Photo: Stone & Ivy
Photo: Lewis Fackrell
WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING
Waste Reduction and Recycling:
1. Thoughtful Packaging:
We are mindful in our approach to packaging, using minimal, recyclable and fully compostable materials. This commitment extends to our wedding flowers, which are delivered in reusable crates and jars. Post-wedding, we collect some of these containers for future use, promoting a sustainable cycle of reusability.
2. Efficient Waste Sorting:
In our commitment to responsible waste management, we meticulously separate green waste from recyclable elements, ensuring each goes into the appropriate containers for eco-friendly disposal.
4. Sustainable Sourcing:
As part of our dedication to sustainability, we actively seek second-hand vases, containers and vintage items for our weddings and events. This not only reduces waste but adds a unique touch to our designs.
5. Reclaimed Creations:
Our commitment to sustainability extends to the materials we use in our creations. We repurpose reclaimed wood, jam jars and bottles to craft sustainable mechanics. Some of our floral mechanics were made by Reseiclo Community Wood, a local social enterprise dedicated to collecting and reusing reclaimed wood and educating people with additional needs.
GIVING BACK TO NATURE
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Donate a Tree:
In our commitment to environmental stewardship, we plant a tree with the assistance of the National Forest following each wedding. This initiative contributes to the creation of natural woodlands in the UK. To enhance the personal connection, our couples receive a certificate introducing the chosen tree linked to them. This thoughtful touch invites them to embark on a nature walk together, searching for their tree—a shared commitment to each other and sustainability.
Photo: Stone & Ivy
Future Goals
1. Transparency of Imported Blooms:
Recognising the necessity of sourcing imported flowers for our year-round floral business, we are actively engaged in discussions with our suppliers. Currently, we are conducting thorough research to learn more about the growers. Our goal is to exclusively utilise MPS A+ certified blooms as we strive to uphold our commitment to sustainability between planet, people and the continuity of our business.
3. Ongoing Plastic Reduction Efforts:
Presently, our wholesale flowers arrive in plastic sleeves that, regrettably, are not yet recyclable. However, we are actively engaged with our wholesalers who are consistently working on developing efficient and recyclable alternatives. This collaborative effort reflects our shared commitment to reducing the use of single-use plastics within the floral industry. We remain dedicated to staying informed about and implementing sustainable solutions as they become available.
4. Well-being Through Floral Workshops:
We aspire to connect with local groups to facilitate floral workshops, not only to share our passion for flowers but also to support well-being and bring people together. These workshops serve as a creative outlet, fostering a sense of community and enhancing the overall well-being of participants.
5. Commitment to Continuous Improvement:
Our journey towards sustainability is an ongoing process, marked by continuous improvement in our practices. We prioritise self-education to stay true to our ethos and maintain transparency with our customers and supporters. As a step forward, I have successfully completed the Carbon Literacy Training. Additionally, we proudly hold membership with the Sustainable Wedding Alliance and have set a goal to achieve accreditation by 2025. This commitment reflects our dedication to embodying sustainable values and practices in every aspect of our business.