The Hidden Price of Flowers: Industry Facts
1. How much of the cut-flower market in the U.S. is imported?
About 70-80 % of cut flowers consumed in the U.S. are imported. Long supply chains add cost, waste, and carbon footprint—one reason your flowers’ story (local or thoughtfully selected) matters.
2. What portion of fresh cut flowers are discarded or unsold?
In retail settings, it’s estimated that around 25 % of cut-flowers may go unsold or discarded. A lot of blooms don’t reach their full potential. Your approach emphasizes intention over volume.
3. What is the shelf-life of many cut flowers?
Once they arrive at retail, many cut flowers have a vase life of only 7–14 days depending on variety and handling.
4. What are the waste issues in florist operations?
A study found a retail florist disposing of ~60 lbs of fresh-cut floral waste per week (≈ 3,120 lbs/year), and there are ~13,200 retail flower shop locations in the U.S. Much of the industry practice generates significant waste.
5. What about single-use materials and non-biodegradable components?
Materials like floral foam (a petroleum-based, single-use product) break down into microplastics and are not compostable.
Choosing arrangements that avoid or minimize these materials elevates meaning and lowers environmental cost.
My Floristry Pledge
1. Local First
I choose locally grown and thoughtfully sourced flowers whenever possible, supporting nearby growers and reducing the environmental impact of long-distance transport.
2. Purpose Over Volume
I design with intention, not excess, creating only what’s needed so every bloom finds its purpose.
3. Meaning That Lasts
I focus on arrangements that carry deeper meaning, knowing that every stem is chosen for its emotional resonance, not just appearance. Their fleeting nature makes choosing them with thought and care even more important.
4. Conscious Craft
I craft each design carefully to minimize waste, using custom orders and intentional choices to reduce overproduction and disposal. Many traditional retail florists discard significant amounts of fresh flowers each week, creating thousands of pounds of waste each year. Conscious design can make a real difference by helping more blooms find meaningful use.
5. Sustainable Materials, Always
I never use foam, avoid single-use and non-biodegradable materials whenever possible, opting for natural, compostable alternatives that care for the planet as much as for beauty. Materials like floral foam are petroleum-based, single-use products that break down into microplastics and are not compostable. Reducing or eliminating them helps lower the environmental cost of design.