Sustainable Floristry: How We're Going Green

At Liatrreins Flower Centre, we believe that beautiful flowers shouldn't come at the expense of our planet. As awareness of environmental issues continues to grow, we've been on a journey to make our floristry practices more sustainable while maintaining the quality and beauty our customers expect. In this article, we're sharing the steps we've taken to reduce our environmental impact and how our customers can make more eco-conscious choices when it comes to flowers.

Our Sustainability Journey

The floristry industry has traditionally had a significant environmental footprint - from chemical-intensive growing practices to long-distance shipping and non-biodegradable packaging. When we opened our doors in 2010, we followed many industry-standard practices without questioning them. However, as environmental concerns became more pressing, we knew we needed to align our business with our values.

Our sustainability journey began in earnest in 2015 when we conducted an audit of our environmental impact. We looked at everything from where our flowers came from to what happened to our waste. What we found was eye-opening and became the catalyst for meaningful change across our business. Since then, we've been systematically implementing more sustainable practices and continuously looking for ways to improve.

Sourcing Sustainably

One of the most significant changes we've made is in how and where we source our flowers.

British-Grown Blooms

We've dramatically increased the percentage of British-grown flowers we use. In the peak growing season (approximately March to October), we source at least 70% of our flowers from British growers, many within 50 miles of our shop. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and supports the local economy.

We've developed relationships with several small, family-run flower farms in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey that grow using organic or low-intervention methods. These farms prioritize biodiversity, soil health, and seasonal growing. The flowers they produce may not always be as uniform as imported varieties, but they have a natural beauty, exceptional scent, and character that our customers have come to appreciate.

Responsible International Sourcing

For flowers that can't be grown in the UK climate or during the winter months when local options are limited, we carefully select international suppliers that align with our values. We prioritize farms that:

• Have Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, or similar certifications that ensure fair labor practices
• Use sustainable growing methods and minimize chemical inputs
• Implement water conservation measures
• Have programs to support their workers and local communities

By being selective about our international suppliers, we ensure that all our flowers, regardless of origin, are grown with respect for both people and the planet.

Seasonal Focus

We've embraced seasonality in our offerings, educating our customers about the beauty of working with what's naturally available rather than expecting the same blooms year-round. Each season brings its own palette and character, and we celebrate these natural rhythms in our arrangements.

This seasonal approach not only reduces the environmental impact of growing flowers out of season (which often requires heated greenhouses or long-distance transportation) but also connects our customers to the changing cycles of nature.

Sustainable Design Practices

Beyond sourcing, we've revolutionized how we create our arrangements to minimize waste and environmental impact.

Foam-Free Designs

Traditional floral foam is a petroleum-based product that never fully biodegrades and contains formaldehyde and other chemicals. In 2018, we made the commitment to go completely foam-free in all our designs. Instead, we use a variety of alternative mechanics:

• Chicken wire and reusable metal frogs to support stems
• Natural moss as a water-retaining medium
• Willow or biodegradable structures to create frameworks
• Hand-tying techniques that require no additional supports

Going foam-free required our team to learn new techniques and sometimes rethink our designs, but the results have been worth it. Our arrangements now have a more natural, organic feel, and we've eliminated a significant source of non-biodegradable waste.

Minimizing Waste

We've implemented a comprehensive waste reduction strategy throughout our business:

• Careful ordering to minimize excess
• Composting all plant waste to create nutrient-rich soil for local community gardens
• Creating smaller "studio arrangements" with flowers that are still beautiful but might not be perfect enough for our main bouquets
• Donating suitable leftover flowers to local care homes and hospices through our "Second Bloom" program
• Drying appropriate varieties for use in dried arrangements and wreaths

Through these measures, we've reduced our landfill waste by over 85% since 2015, and we continue to look for ways to further minimize our waste stream.

Packaging Revolution

Packaging is an essential part of protecting flowers and ensuring they reach our customers in perfect condition, but traditional floristry packaging can be very wasteful. We've completely overhauled our approach:

Plastic Reduction

We've eliminated single-use plastic wrap in favor of:

• FSC-certified paper wrapping, which is both recyclable and biodegradable
• Reusable fabric wraps, available as an eco-upgrade option
• Biodegradable cellulose films derived from sustainable wood pulp for when transparency is needed

Water Sources

Instead of plastic water tubes for individual stems, we use:

• Biodegradable water tubes made from plant materials
• Innovative water-retaining paper that keeps stems hydrated
• Mini glass vials for premium arrangements (which customers can return for reuse)

Delivery Methods

We've also greened our delivery process:

• Our local deliveries are made using electric vehicles or cargo bikes
• Delivery routes are optimized to minimize mileage
• Our shipping boxes are made from recycled cardboard and are fully recyclable
• We use biodegradable wool insulation instead of plastic bubble wrap to protect flowers in transit

Educational Initiatives

We believe that creating lasting change requires education and community involvement. We've developed several initiatives to share our sustainable practices with others:

Workshops and Classes

We regularly host workshops on sustainable floristry techniques, including:

• Foam-free arrangement techniques
• Seasonal wreath making using natural materials
• Cutting garden planning for home gardeners
• Flower preserving and drying techniques

School Programs

Our "Growing Green" program works with local schools to:

• Create pollinator-friendly gardens
• Teach children about the importance of bees and other pollinators
• Demonstrate how flowers grow from seed to bloom
• Show how plants can be used as natural dyes

Customer Communication

We make our sustainable practices visible to customers through:

• Information cards included with each bouquet about the origin of the flowers
• Clear labeling of British-grown and sustainably sourced options
• Regular social media posts highlighting our environmental initiatives
• This blog series about various aspects of sustainable floristry

Making Sustainable Choices as a Customer

If you're interested in making more eco-conscious choices when it comes to flowers, here are some tips:

Choose Seasonal and Local

Ask your florist about what's in season locally. Seasonal blooms not only have a lower environmental impact but are often more fragrant and longer-lasting than imported alternatives. Our website features a seasonal guide that shows what's naturally in bloom each month in the UK.

Consider Plant Life

Potted plants or bulbs can be a sustainable alternative to cut flowers, offering longer-lasting beauty and the possibility of replanting in the garden. We offer a range of potted options, from flowering houseplants to seasonal bulb arrangements.

Look for Sustainable Certifications

When buying flowers, especially those that can't be grown locally, look for certifications like Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, or LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) that indicate more sustainable and ethical production methods.

Extend the Life of Your Flowers

Make cut flowers last longer by:

• Changing the water every 2-3 days
• Keeping arrangements away from heat sources and direct sunlight
• Removing any flowers that start to fade to prevent them from affecting others
• Following the care instructions provided with your bouquet

Consider What Happens After

When your flowers have reached the end of their vase life:

• Compost them if you have access to composting facilities
• Try drying appropriate varieties for lasting enjoyment
• Return any reusable packaging to us for a small discount on your next purchase

Our Ongoing Commitment

Sustainability is not a destination but a journey, and we recognize that there's always more we can do. We're committed to continually evaluating and improving our practices as new information and technologies become available.

Current initiatives we're working on include:

• Installing solar panels on our workshop roof to generate renewable energy
• Expanding our network of local growers to further increase our British-grown offerings
• Developing a closed-loop system for our delivery packaging
• Creating a flower seed bank to preserve heritage and native varieties