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Floral design by
Brittany Murray,
The Flowerslinger
"15 percent stem waste." Consider
asking yourself these questions:
What flowers are in the bin?
Were they hydrated properly, or
were the blooms' early demise
a result of the wear and tear
of transportation, unsanitary
storage containers and cutting
tools, ethylene gas in the
floral cooler, improper storage
temperatures or something else?
As Allen points out, being
"sustainable"—not depleting
natural resources or causing
severe ecological damage—
doesn't refer to only what florists
use to create their designs; it also
encompasses packaging (plastics)
and transportation, which can
impact the environment with
high "carbon footprints."
By doing a "CSI" analysis of their
shops and needs, florists can not
only save in cost and increase
their bottom lines but also help
the environment. Every flower
that isn't wasted helps the supply
chain stresses on the environment.
Perhaps you are also noticing a
lot of paper receipts in your trash
can. Paper fills many trash bins,
and it's made from trees. Maybe
it's also time to consider electronic
options to add to your efficiency
and sustainability efforts. Is there
too much ribbon waste? Consider
new packaging designs. Provide
enclosure cards that are made
from recycled or recyclable paper.
Collectively, all these ideas impact
not only the environment but also
your customers' experience—as
well as your bragging rights. Plus,
as studies now confirm, the public
is applauding these efforts, as well,
so it's a win-win for everyone.
Floral design by
TJ McGrath,
TJ McGrath Design
