Zero Waste Floristry - Is It Possible?

As a florist, I have the privilege of working with some nature’s most beautiful creations—flowers. But you can quickly suck the  beauty out of a bunch of flowers when you realise just how much waste is associated with the floral industry. From excess plastic packaging, to floral foam, to unsold blooms. From the moment I started WilderBlooms I know that making a conscious effort to reduce my environmental footprint and reduce waste was of utmost importance to me, and would set me apart from other florists.
In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the methods I use to reduce waste as a florist—so you can see that it’s possible to create beautiful arrangements while being kind to the planet.

1. Floral Foam Alternatives
​ I have NEVER used traditional floral foam (oasis). Floral foam is honestly the devil. It's made from plastic, not just any plastic, a plastic that crumbles very easily into microplastics, that get washed down you drain, sit in landfill and pollute the earth, and work their way into our waterways. It might sound dramatic, but it is truly awful stuff that I will never, EVER work with. With more and more studies ever year about how much microplastics we consume in our food and water, and even microplastics being found in our blood and even unborn babies  , in my opinion, you should be concerned about this too. If you are looking for planet friendly flowers for any events, a priority should be to ensure you florist does not use traditional foam.

What I Do:

• I used biodegradable alternatives. There are now several brands offering blocks made from plant-based materials, which break down more easily. One option I occasionally use is Oshun Pouches. This is a home compostable bag, filled will coir.
• Chicken wire and moss is also a good alternative. The wire provides structure, while the moss holds water. It can be bent an moulded into many shapes
• When making wreaths, I never use wire or plastics. Every wreath i make is hand twisted willow hoops and held together with jute twine

2. No Plastic Waste 
Many florists, rely heavily on plastic—plastic wrap, plastic containers, plastic tags—to package flowers and arrangements. I don't blame them. Plastics offer so many options, and every cheaply. Colours textures, designs. It can be difficult to source floral packaging options that don't have plastics in them. Plastics are water proof- and there's quite a lot of water involved in floristry!

What I Do:

• I use compostable packaging. I use kraft paper and a  plant-based wrap (natureflex) to package bouquets, which can be composted at the end of their life cycle. I could write a whole blog on the pain I had trying to find a home compostable alternative to plastic wrap on the UK market that wasn't just green washing. Natureflex is the only one I found that is certified home-compostable. All the others i found needed to be industrially composted ( ie. they wont break down in landfill, or in your garden)
• I offer jam jar posies. Posies of flowers delivered in recycled  jam jars. Once the flowers die off these can be placed in your glass recyling bin, or some customers return them to me to be reused. 
  
  

3. Supporting Local and Seasonal Flowers
Importing flowers from across the globe, often in plastic wraps and foam, contributes significcantly to both the carbon emissions and waste of a florist. So, I decided to focus on local and seasonal blooms.

What I Do:

• I connected with local flower farmers and started purchase flowers solely from them. This helps reduce the environmental impact of transportation, and I’m able to offer fresh, seasonal flowers that support the local economy. I have a small list of trusted suppliers I work with who all grow they flowers themselves using organic growing practices. 
• I  work with seasonal availability. I embrace the beauty of each season, offering what’s naturally available. This not only reduces waste but also leads to more vibrant, naturally stunning arrangements.
• I grow many of my own.  It’s super rewarding to watch the flowers grow from seed to bouquet, and its actually what got me started at WilderBlooms. There were a few blips in the first couple years ( ie. life got in the way a bit and I had to move house twice). But now i'm finally settled enough to really push forward with my own small scale flower farm in 2025. I'm very excited. 
  
  
  

4. Repurposing Leftover Flowers
Unfortunately, not every flower sells. Part of the reality of working with fresh produce is that you can't just hold onto stock, and often you need to estimate your needs week to week. But there are a few ways I try to get around this

What I Do:

• Dried flowers - I began drying out unsold flowers and turning them into dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and accessories. This not only saves flowers from going to waste but also taps into the growing demand for long lasting dried floral displays
• I also started offering last minute discounts. If I over ordered and had quite a lot left over i would offer up this bunches on my social media at a reduced rate to try and find them last minute homes. 
• Sometimes end up giving out bunches to family, friends or customers, just to put a smile on someones face. 
  
  

5. Composting Organic Waste
 Florists generate a significant amount of organic waste—stems, leaves, petals, and discarded blooms. It's actually quite impressive the amount that gathers. Instead of sending these items to the landfill, I decided to set up a composting system in my garden. Composting not only reduces waste but also gives back to the earth by creating nutrient-rich soil, which i then in turn use to fertilise the soil for growing more flowers!! 

What I Do:

• I set up a simple composting bin in the back of my garden where I collect organic waste from flower prepping, vegetable peelings from my kitchen, and other odds and ends such a cardboard and grass cutting.
• My chickens have accesss to this all day, to peck away at the vegetable scraps, turn  and aerate the compost by scraping at it, helping ti decompose faster, and fertilising  it further with chicken poop!
  
  

6. Mindful Water Use
Floristry uses a lot of water, from the buckets i keep cut flowers in in my studio, to watering my flower plot in the garden. But how to i keep this low?

What I Do:

• I plan to use drip irrigation systems for my poly tunnel next year This ensures that water goes directly to the roots, minimizing waste.
• I collect greywater—water used to clean vases or wash buckets. Instead of letting this water go to waste, I reuse it to water plants or flowers.
• I also plan to invest in a water butt, to collect rainwater to be used for flower farm irrigation aswell. It rains a lot in Scotland. I should make better use of it. 
  
  

7. Educating Clients About Sustainability
One of the most important aspects of reducing waste as a florist is educating customers about sustainability. By making you all aware of the choices you can make helps us all move towards a future where floristry nourishes the planet and soils in which the flowers grow rather than destroy it. 

What I Do:

• I share my sustainability journey on social media. By explaining the benefits of compostable packaging, local sourcing, and foam-free arrangements, I’m able to inspire others to make more sustainable choices.
  
  

Final Thoughts: Every Small Step Counts
Reducing waste as a florist isn't a quick or easy process, but every small step makes a meaningful difference. By making mindful decisions about the products I use, the flowers I source, and the waste I generate, I’ve been able to significantly reduce my shop’s environmental footprint when compared with a traditional florists shop. 
I'm very passionate about sustainability, and always open to talk about it. Whether your looking for sustainable flowers yourself, or you are a florist looking to practice more sustainably, send me a message and lets chat :)