Our sustainability pledge

The word sustainablity is bounded about a lot these days, yet I wonder how often any of us have stopped to think about what it might mean? The United Nations account balances meeting present needs with those of future generations and draws our attention to three elements - people, planet and profit. What might that mean in our context, where we describe ourselves as a sustainable floristry business?

People

The people element of sustainablity draws attention to human rights, to community well being, to fair labour practices so that people can thrive. Our active decision to buy british, direct from local flower farmers is aligned to this. We want to support other independent businesses and contribute to the local economy. We know our growers don't use chemicals that are potentially harmful to their own and others health. When we import flowers, in the winter months, it is much harder to assure ourselves of safe labour practices of the flower farms that have the major share of the cut flower practices (though we work with Hoek, who have this high on their agenda, buying direct from farms so they can monitor practices.)

Community and well being feature highly in the decisions we make about the work we do. We strongly believe in the therapeutic power of flowers and of bringing people together in creative activity. Studies show that flowers have a positive impact on emotional well being and foster feelings of warmth towards others and boost creativity - a great reason to have them in your workplace! We have had some great opportunities to run workshops in community spaces, to tackle social isolation and share experiences. Look out for our workshop as part of Blackpool's Good Grief Festival in October, where we will be exploring the language of flowers and rituals of rememberance.

Profit

At first glance, profit sits akwardly under the heading of sustainablity - but its link is to the idea of balanced, or proportional use of natural resources whilst building longer term financial health and growth. This means being really careful about where we source our natural resources. Did you know, for example, it is illegal to uproot moss in growing in the wild without landowner peermission. We source our moss from reputable suppliers and are general very careful about foraging materials. Which brings us to the key environmental pillars of our work.

Planet

Planetary health is all about considering the natural environment and responsible use of natural resources. It is about mindful practices that seek to reduce waste, emissions and negative environmental impacts. We do this in a range of ways. Our choice to buy british is multifactorial - we think british grown flowers are naturally beautiful, with infinite choice of varieties, with amazing colours, textures, scents and varieties. Our buying choices reflect the seasons - the majority of our flowers are grown without chemicals, using natural pesticides and sources of heat and water. Our carbon footprint is reduced (no airmiles for british grown) and we focus on clustering collection and deliveries to keep the roadmiles as low as possible.

Our floristry techniques are designed to be sustaible too, avoiding the use of single use plastics. We never use floral foam, too aware of the way it breaksdown releasing microplastics into the ground and water systems (where it sits in cemetary bins and landfill sites). We are mindful in our choice of natural materials, like willow, moss, birch and twine and re-usable mechanics like chicken wire and velcro to structure and fasten. All of our funeral work involves biodegradable materials, gently returning to the earth from whence they came.

Its important to us that in working with such natural, beautiful resources as flowers and foliage we do all we can to take care of the planet that provided them. In supporting us, you are making your contribution to a gentler form of floristry too. So thank you.

Our pledge

Our sustainablity pledge to you.

We will always choose

·      british grown foliage

·      british grown flowers when available

·      foam-free mechanics for wedding and event work

·      biodegradable bases for our funeral work

·      environmentally kind packaging