Flowers are among one of the most incredible items produced by nature and enjoyed greatly by humans. Then, when floral designers get their hands on them they produce breathtakingly beautiful arrangements, making us even more enamored of flowers. People love flowers in their homes, to give as gifts, and to have at important celebrations. Flowers are everywhere and beloved by everyone. To keep it green and help the planet, florists practice green initiatives to do their part.
Here at McNamara Florist, we make an effort each day to being as green as possible in sourcing, designing, and working with these gifts from Mother Nature. We have a wonderful partnership with Random Acts of Flowers Indianapolis. Each week we donate our unused flowers to RAF so they can repurpose them and deliver them to people in hospitals and nursing homes. We also donate the flowers that come back after a wedding or large event. It’s comforting knowing that they will be used and enjoyed again and extending their life past a 4 hr event.
In 2016 we moved our headquarters and revitalized a warehouse on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis. We made a lot of repairs to the building during construction and had the opportunity to make some eco-friendly changes in the process. Now, all of our lights are motion-censored and will automatically turn off in areas of the building that are not being used. These lights paired with skylights to bring in natural sunlight have saved us a lot of energy.
Our California growers all practice eco-friendly practices and many have moved away from using pesticides and turned to a more natural way of growing. All of our South America growers are rain-alliance certified.
What Is Eco-Friendly Floristry?
Also referred to as Sustainable Floristry and Environmentally-friendly Floristry, Eco-Friendly Floristry is the mindful action of using methods that are not harmful to the environment, to humans, or to local economies. It’s about creating farming methods that work in harmony with the land and are sustainable.
Eco-Friendly Practices of Florists
Sourcing Slow Flowers
Slow flowers are flowers that are grown naturally, without harmful pesticides or fertilizers, on sustainable land and by smaller, local farms. Sourcing slow flowers from nearby growers in one thing florists are doing to keep their carbon footprint small.
No Floral Foam
Floral foam is a one-time-use plastic that used to be a staple in most floral shops. However, this non-biodegradable product has been replaced with more environmentally friendly mechanics such as moss, twigs, or reusable chicken wire. Reducing or altogether eliminating floral foam is a very green move.
Additional Green Actions Florists Are Taking
- Supporting local small businesses
- Partnering with green farms
- Recycling and conserving water
- Waste management
- Composting and upcycling vases
- Reducing the use of clear plastic wrapping, ribbons, tags, and more.
- Repurposing leftover flowers
Why Eco-Friendly Floristry Is Important
It is essential for most of us to be aware of what we do each day and how our actions affect the environment. Do your part by shopping locally, recycling, conserving water, and minimize the use of plastic. If we all do our part, then we have ensured the most beautiful gifts from Mother Nature will continue to thrive for many generations to come.
