As charming as a bouquet may be, the traditional flower industry often comes with hidden environmental and ethical costs. From the carbon footprint of imported flowers to the use of floral foam and exploitative labour practices, there’s a lot more to consider than just the colour of the petals. Read on to find out the best way to arrange your bouquet sustainably!
One of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact is by choosing local, seasonal flowers. Flowers grown close to home require much less transportation and refrigeration, making them a greener option. They’re often fresher, last longer, and support local farmers. You could even look into buying potted plants instead of flowers which support local biodiversity and have a longer life span.
Labels such as Fair Trade Certified, Rainforest Alliance, and Veriflora Certified Sustainably Grown indicate that the flowers were cultivated with respect for both people and the planet. These certifications often ensure better labour conditions and environmentally sound farming practices. Without such recognition, flowers are grown using various chemicals, including pesticides, fertilisers, and insecticides which are known to contaminate waterways.
Transportation is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of flowers. Many blooms sold in stores are flown in from Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, or the Netherlands, and then driven cross-country in refrigerated trucks. To reduce this impact, choose flowers from florists who are transparent about where and how their products are sourced. The closer the origin, the lower the environmental cost. Don’t be afraid to ask your florist questions like where their flowers come from, what materials they use in their arrangements, and what they do with leftover blooms. These conversations help drive demand for more responsible practices and reduce demand for large-scale flower farms which rely on monoculture practices, reducing biodiversity and contributing to soil degradation and erosion
Avoiding floral foam is another impactful step. The green sponge used in many flower arrangements is made from non-biodegradable plastic and can leach harmful microplastics and toxins into the environment. Furthermore, bouquets wrapped in cellophane or decorated with synthetic ribbons contribute to landfill waste. Instead, look for arrangements wrapped in recycled paper.
And of course, the most sustainable option of all is to grow your own flowers. Whether you have a garden, balcony, or just a sunny windowsill, growing your own flowers gives you full control over what you grow and how you grow it.
Not My Monkey 