Sustainable Floristry
T H E B L O O M I N G R E V O L U T I O N
Gather & Bloom has a true love and appreciation for Mother Earth and takes great pride in doing all that we can to protect and sustain life as floral designers. We love flowers and to see all the great beauty that nature provides and to create art from it is an honor and a privilege. Flowers elevate any space and bring ambiance to our homes, special events, occasions, and life’s moments. Flowers have the incredible power of elevating moods, relieve stress, and bring you into the present moment.
On the down side…
Behind the scenes, the floral industry requires many resources, from growing and farming, to sourcing flowers, mechanics to make the art, the plastics, all the trash and recycling.
The floral industry generates a significant amount of annual waste, including both organic and inorganic materials. A significant portion of this waste is plastic, with estimates suggesting 100,000 metric tons of plastic waste annually. UGH! Additionally, a large amount of organic waste, such as discarded flowers and floral foam, contributes to the overall environmental impact.
the MOVEMENT….
Luckily, there is a growing movement around the world of flower enthusiasts and floristry industry professionals who are growing more concerned of the over consumption, heavy usage and reliance of single use plastics such as floral foam (that cannot be recycled!), and the increased carbon footprint from importing flowers.
With thoughtful planning and creativity, we can reduce our environmental footprint without compromising on quality.
Thankfully, there is more awareness, education, resources and better practices to help lighten the impact. Sustainable Floristry is emerging as a hot, crucial trend, redefining how we approach floral design, consumption, and production.
As we celebrate the beauty of flowers, Gather & Bloom is committed to be more eco-friendly and support this blooming revolution
Understanding Sustainable Floristy
Sustainable floristry involves creating floral arrangements while being mindful of the environment. It is commitment to make choices that take into consideration the now and the future of how those choices affect the environment and simultaneously and each other as humans.
It is not just about reducing waste, it's a holistic approach that brings together sourcing, production, design, disposal and minimizing environmental impact. This includes using eco-friendly materials… think less floral foam, more reusable mechanics, and a whole lot more composting! The goal is simple: make beauty last, not the waste.
Our part
S O U R C I N G -
G&B loves to support small local farmers wherever possible! We're not only lowering travel but also boosting the local economy. We have built relationships with local growers and wholesalers to partner with and bring fresh, gorgeous blooms that have been mindfully sourced.
We feel this is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to promote sustainability.. Local flowers have a smaller carbon footprint because they don’t require long-distance transportation, which reduces emissions and the need for excessive packaging.
BONUS the blooms are fresher, less damaged from travel, and will last longer!!!
Seasonal Selections: Our designs are always influenced by embracing seasonal flowers that not only supports local growers but also ensures that the blooms are at their peak in terms of freshness and durability.
When importing flowers, we ask our suppliers for US grown flowers whenever possible, but when exotic flowers, or specific varieties are needed for a design, we will check in with our wholesalers to see what our choices are to ensure eco-friendly practices and fair wages to the farmers.
- W A S T E R E D U C T I O N -
Composting: it’s not just a buzzword, it's an invaluable way of giving back to the earth. All organic floral scraps and compostable materials are taken to a local composting center to be returned to the earth and boast new life.
Repurpose + Recycle: We use materials that can be reused/ repurposed and are conscious of recycling appropriate materials..
Post Event Floral Donations: After event weekends, we love to give post-event flowers to charities, care homes, or community groups. Gather & Bloom offers a free service to deliver and donate all florals to a local business where the blooms will continue to spread joy and reduce waste.
- M E C H A N I C S -
Minimal Use of Non-Recyclable Materials: Traditional floral arrangements often use foam and plastic, which are not environmentally friendly and fill landfills with microplastic toxins.G&B uses biodegradable alternatives such as agrawool, moss, reusable containers, chicken wire and floral frog pins, and compostable wrapping materials.
No Floral Foam: In place of floral foam, we use compostable materials including agrawool bricks and Oshun pouches. Floral foam is composed of microplastics and harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, and is not reusable, not compostable or biodegradable. Research has found that it contributes to water contamination and is harmful to the surrounding wildlife. Here’s to saving our rivers!
Earth friendly vases and containers: Our aesthetic and design style is nature inspired and our vases are selected from earth friendly materials like stone, clay, bamboo, and wood. These materials are made from non-toxic, naturally occurring materials.
- E D U C A T I O N -
Creative Gatherings- Floral Workshops
Gather & Bloom hosts private and public floral design experiences to bring people together, share a creative journey, and learn the art of floral design by using sustainable practices.
A wonderful hands-on way to explore this beautiful craft.
To wrap it all up-
Gather and Bloom is committed to the push towards sustainable floristry. As awareness grows and more florists embrace eco-friendly practices, I feel like the future of floristry looks promisingly green. Innovations in growing techniques, materials, and waste management will continue to shape the industry, ensuring that our appreciation for flowers doesn’t come at the expense of our planet.