The majority of flowers sold here in the U.K, supermarkets and florists alike, are imported. Most use air-freight and refrigerated articulated lorries and create an unacceptable carbon footprint. When our temperate climate is so suitable for growing many of these flower varieties, why do we continually turn to other nations to do it for us?
So what makes us ‘eco’?
On our market stalls we only supply locally or British grown flowers and plants. By supporting our local growers, we can really build up industry in this country at a time when we need it most. However, we understand there are times when specialist flowers are called for and do need to be imported. In these circumstances, we use only ethical sources.
We insist upon being able to trace all of our materials back to the farm on which they were grown. This is made easier for us by companies such as ‘Florverde’, ‘Sunflora’ , ‘Maytal’, ‘FFP’ and of course Fairtrade, who all operate under strict regulations and mean the workers are paid and treated properly.
As well as this, the surrounding environments are protected, unlike too many other conventional flower farms in the 3rd world whose uniform flowers are predominantly grown with the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers which is then left to flow into the natural water systems. We are currently the only ethical florist in Cornwall.
For more info, check out these interesting links:
(Please Note: Links will open in a separate window)
www.fairtrade.org.uk/resources/fair_comment
www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/may/14/ethicalliving.lifeandhealth
www.sunflora.co.uk/?article=94
www.colombianflowers.co.uk/faqs.htm
www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=456
Other things that keep us green!
We compost every scrap of green waste and encourage customers to do the same
Grow from seed hardy plants and flowers we are unable to source locally, allowing us to be a part of the Made in Cornwall scheme.
All our plastic materials are biodegradable
Recycle jam jars and many other containers for use as vases & flower pots
Use our old floral foam as pot plant drainage
We deliver on a bicycle for free
Use only recycled paper, card and ink cartridges
Use local landscape gardeners as a source of foliage
Return all packaging to our suppliers
Make confetti from our unsold flowers, we try not to waste anything!
