Sustainability in the Floral Industry

Floral foam has been a mainstay of the industry since it's invention in 1954. Foam provides a reliable water source and is suitable for use in almost any arrangement imaginable. It allows florists greater freedom in how they can position stems in arrangements as the water is retained within the foam rather than a vessel. This means stems can be placed in any direction, even upside down

The problem with foam is that it is not biodegradable, instead breaking down into microplastics that then enter our water sources and environment. It also contains some nasty chemicals - carbon black and formaldehyde - which can cause respiratory issues after years of exposure.

These concerns are leading many florists towards a greener, more sustainable future by looking back to the floral mechanics of the past for alternatives. Prior to the arrival of foam, florists relied on methods including chicken wire armatures, flower pins, floral frogs and the creative use of substrates like sand, pebbles or moss to support stems. These methods can be more time-consuming and require a little more preparation and forethought than simply soaking a floral foam brick. However, as an industry it is vital we attempt to ditch methods that are actively harming our marine life and environment. 

Many of the flowers you see today have been on a long distance journey. Stems such as roses, hydrangeas and tropical flowers can be shipped to the Dutch auctions from as far away as Colombia.

In recent years, many florists have started looking to source flowers from closer to home - from European countries or even from British growers. This is a difficult transition to make as Britain simply does not have the infrastructure for flower growing on the industrial scales needed.

Choosing British/European grown stems and limiting use of 'long-distance' stems is a step towards having less of a carbon footprint.

Pesticides have their benefits; maintaining healthy, good looking plants and food products, reducing loss of income for farmers by increasing crop yields, reducing the spread of disease amongst crops and reducing the impact of insect and animal pests on crops.

However, pesticides also have their negatives; health problems from prolonged exposure, unintended deaths of other animals and organisms, a build-up of toxins in the environment and eventually the food-chain.

There are many scientists working on developing more sustainable practices around pesticide use - such as Integrated Pest Management, 'sticky' pesticides and the use of natural compounds. To see more information about pesticides in the floral industry visit The Sustainable Floristry Network