BRANCH & BLOOM FLORALS ~ Sustainability

Lots of people worry that flower imports are not eco-friendly. How do we mitigate this, well, we shop for flowers that are in season for a start. Growers, whether they are in the UK or abroad, have flowers that are suited to different seasons, reducing the need for excessive support via heating and chemicals to promote growth – working with nature and not against it. Our suppliers also use sustainable methods, renewable energy, recycling water, reducing chemicals for natural fertilisers and growing to demand on orders placed in advance.

All flowers are hand-picked, and most suppliers (nearly all) use biodegradable wraps, re-usable containers or recycled paper/card to ship those precious flowers. Existing logistics ensure trucks, ferries and are timed to perfection to used established couriers. 

When ordering we only order what we need reducing waste. 

  This would be items such as stems, leaves and branches. We reuse a lot of these items and what we can’t gets placed into a bespoke green bin that is used for mulch to aid re growth. 

Hard stems of flowers are dried and are used in biodegradable funeral arrangements, armatures and fashioned into card holders – it is amazing what you can re-use! Not only does this mean less waste, but also the arrangements we do have a natural look and feel, we are never having to hide one time use plastics.

Leaves and branches can be utilised in most designs too. 

When the time does come for the designs to be removed, were produced sustainably, can be recycled or are biodegradable. 

  Top tips for alternatives for table centres are to use our fabulous glass or our stone urns as venue and table décor. No plastics, no one time use foam. 

We use water and moss to keep designs hydrated. 

In deigns that do need a little more support, we source items such as OASIS® Bio Floral Foam Maxlife that degrades by 91% in 3 years in an anaerobic environment or FibreFloral™ blocks, a natural sustainable product based on volcanic basalt rock.

Another top tip, opt for all natural living plants, such as orchids or succulents for table décor. 

As with flowers, we can order these in bulk for you and the best bit, your guests can take them home at the end of the night! A living memory of your wedding day. 

  The same can be said for funerals, rather than displays that can’t be re used. We can supply personalised living plants for mourners to take home with them.

For burial sites that only accept all biodegradable arrangements, we create beautiful coffin sprays, wreaths and hearts on all natural bases. 

  · Willow

· Brush 

· Twine 

· Any Dry Twigs 

· Moss 

· Plants

· Fresh Flowers 

· Stone

· Recycled Paper

· Recycled Card 

· Reclaimed Wood

· Plant Material that is a by-product of another process

  Well, flowers don’t like heat! So, our studio is not heated, but we do have ample insulation to prevent frosts! We use natural wool draft excluders too. Low energy lighting is installed. 

Water conservation - Flowers do need water, but we only use what we need to. We recycle water we use for the flowers, by watering wild verges and trees. We also compost what we have space for, the rest is sent to a centre that specialises in recycling green waste.

Most of our workbenches, shelving and buckets are preloved or upcycled. Our delivery packaging is also re used for our designs and deliveries. 

Our re-use it scheme offers local businesses, such as landscapers and tree services to deliver greenery to us to use in designs – reducing costs and impact on waste. 

When our customers have not regifted flowers, we actively offer a service where we can repurpose flowers into other designs for the community, such as garlands for residents to enjoy, flowers for residential homes, places of worship or free memorial flowers. 

To minimise excess travel, we offer consultations by zoom for all clients, whatever they are ordering.