What is Sustainable FLoristry?

A Guide for Eco-Conscious Flower Lovers in Sydney

As more people become aware of the environmental impacts of their lifestyle choices, they want to learn about areas in which they can lower their carbon footprint - and the good news is that flowers is one of those areas! Many people assume that because flowers are a natural product, they are sustainable, but the floral industry has many downfalls including huge carbon emissions from imported flowers, as well as enormous amounts of plastic waste generated from products including floral foam and plastic wrapping. So what exactly is a sustainable approach floristry, and how do we practice it? 

In this blog post, we'll dive into the key elements of a sustainable approach to floristry and how choosing seasonal, Australian-grown flowers can help reduce your carbon footprint. We'll also cover the importance of avoiding floral foam, and how we reduce waste.

What is Sustainable Floristry?

Sustainable floristry is an approach that prioritises environmental responsibility. It’s about making choices that minimise harm to the planet, from the selection of flowers to the techniques used in creating lovely floral arrangements.

By embracing sustainable floristry, you’re supporting practices that reduce waste, protect ecosystems, and reduce the overall carbon footprint of the floral industry.

Why Choose Seasonal and Australian-Grown Flowers?

One of the core principles of sustainable floristry is choosing seasonal, locally-grown flowers, in our case Australian-Grown flowers.

Flowers that are grown locally require far less transportation, significantly reducing the carbon emissions associated with flying blooms in from overseas. When you buy Australian-grown flowers, you’re supporting local farmers, reducing air miles, and ensuring that your flowers have been grown in conditions suited to their natural environment. This also means the flowers are fresher, last longer, and are often more vibrant.

Additionally, opting for seasonal flowers means that your arrangements reflect the natural beauty of each time of year. Rather than relying on imports or hothouse-grown blooms that consume more resources, you're celebrating nature and the beauty of the change in seasons. 

Say Goodbye to Floral Foam

Many florists still rely on floral foam—a synthetic material used to support flower arrangements. However, floral foam is non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment, breaking down into microplastics and releasing chemicals such as formaldehyde that pollute water systems and harm marine life.

We use alternatives such as reusable chicken wire, flower frogs or a simple vase to hold blooms in place. These materials are much kinder to the environment and can be repurposed many, many times.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Sustainability can be practiced throughout the entire floral process. At Themeda Floristry Studio, we take steps to reduce, reuse, and recycle in many ways:

• Reducing waste: Cutting out single use plastics for gifts and buying only the flowers needed and composting flower trimmings instead of throwing them in the regular bin, where they would eventually release methane.

• Reusing materials: Reusing vases, ribbons, and other accessories rather than buying new ones each time.

• Recycling: Using recyclable or biodegradable packaging for deliveries, and encouraging customers to return or reuse vases and containers.

Why Sustainable Floristry Matters

Sustainable floristry offers an opportunity for flower lovers to make eco-conscious choices without sacrificing beauty or creativity. By choosing seasonal, Australian-grown flowers, avoiding harmful products like floral foam, and supporting florists who take care to reduce, reuse & recycle, you’re helping to shape a more sustainable future for the floral industry.

If you looking for a sustainably-minded florist in Sydney, contact us today to discover beautiful, eco-friendly floral arrangements tailored to your needs.

By focusing on local and seasonal flowers and prioritising sustainability, you can enjoy nature's beauty while doing your part to protect the environment.