The floral industry can be a wasteful one. Just as we eat "oily" foods, those shipped around the globe consuming fuel and resources (such as the delicious but imported Chilean blueberries available right now), florists design with beautiful but non-native flowers from all ends of the earth. We ADORE these stunningly beautiful blooms, the pink-tipped Parrot tulips from Holland, plum Dendrobium orchids from Thailand, fuzzy spider-like Queen Protea from South Africa, giant candy-colored "Iguana" roses from Ecuador, but we recognize that they are exotics and that we are lucky to be able to receive them and offer them to our customers. In my opinion, their beauty and the joy they impart are worth it!
At the same time, we do our best to backtrack in these carbon footsteps. From late February through September, we buy about 50% of our flowers from local farms. Fabulous and local French tulips, sweet peas, sunflowers, anenomes and zinnias will begin arriving soon!
Last July, we planted a cutting garden at the shop and hope to begin to harvest from it this season. We recycle all shipping boxes and dispose of our green waste in the yard waste can. Our actual "garbage" is less than a bushel per week. We are always looking for ways to do better. (I'm pondering some kind of community florists' green-waste-compost system. Any suggestions?)
In the past few years, we've been making an effort to seek out companies that make gorgeous but sustainable products. Some we've carried for a while, some are new. First, I'm very excited to announce that we've found a source for RIBBON made from 100% post consumer recycled bottles. We'll be carrying our trademark chocolate grosgrain as well as double-faced satins in many shades.
Other green Products we love:
Tree-Free Greetings: We carry the Plantables line, cards that come with a little embellishment of handmade paper studded with wildflower seeds. They are made from sustainable resources such as reclaimed sugar cane Sweetpaper, up to 100% post-consumer recycled paper, FSC Certified paper, and soy-based inks.
Our deliciously-scented and beautiful diffusers are made by Rosy Rings, a sweet company committed to minimizing its environmental impact wherever possible and supporting organizations devoted to the well being of natural open spaces and wildlife. The diffuser bottles contain 40% recycled glass. Rosy recycles all the plastic, metal, glass and cardboard used in its production facility; uses biodegradable shipping popcorn and reuses shipping materials. In 2008 they donated 15% of profits to The National Resources Defense Counsel, Wild Bird, The Elephant Sanctuary, World Wildlife Fund, American Bird Conservancy, The Humane Society of United States and the MAX Fund.
NEW! the growbottle, upcycled hydrogardens by Potting Shed Creations, an Idaho company. We've carried Potting Shed items for years and love the packaging they come up with. The new herb grow bottles are made from recycled wine bottles and grow fresh culinary herbs indoors year round! In the next few weeks, we'll have mint, chives, oregano, parsley and basil to adorn your kitchen window sill! Love these.
Step by step, in our little corner of Sugar House, we hope to make a difference.
