Booker Flowers and Gifts are fortunate to work with beautiful flowers to create stunning floral designs. However, we are all too aware that the floristry industry can have a negative environmental impact. We are committed to leading the industry in terms of minimising the negative environmental impact of our business and to this end we have made a commitment to reach Net Zero Emission before 2030 ahead of the proposed UK Government target of 2050.
We have registered with the SME Climate Hub who is committed to Net Zero Emission before 2050 and committing to halve greenhouse gas emissions before 2030. SMEs around the world are making a climate commitment to work together to achieve this target. We have also joined the United Nations 'Race to Zero'. This is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.
As a small business we have an informal but none the less a very highly developed environmental policy which we will regularly review the environmental impact of our activities, minimise our overall negative impact and actively seek to reduce waste over time. Environmental sustainability and minimising our carbon footprint are at the heart of what we do, shaping much of our practice. As professional florist and informed individuals the whole team is extremely committed to reducing our carbon footprint and advising clients how we can help reduce theirs with the designs and procedures we suggest.
Our Environmental & Sustainability Policy aims to integrate sustainable development into all the Booker Flowers and Gifts activities and to establish and promote sound environmental practice in our operations.
We will achieve this by;
· Complying with relevant legislation and regulations.
· Being an environmentally responsible neighbour in the community.
· When possible, we buy flowers and foliage from local growers with no plastic involved in their packaging and of course no ‘Flower Miles’.
· Buying in flowers and foliage supplied by growers in the British Isles to reduce ’Flower Miles’.
· When buying flowers from abroad, we only work with suppliers that are MPA and MPS certified to ensure that our flowers are grown sustainably and cultivated by workers who are treated humanely.
· Our bouquets being delivered in water-filled eco-friendly wrapping in unlaminated cardboard boxes or wrapped simply in paper.
· Use bio-degradable floral foam and where possible opting for natural materials to form a base for our designs such as moss or twig structures.
· Monitoring our stock levels carefully to ensure there is minimum waste, any spare flowers are given to children or students to practise their floristry or as a last resort, disposed of by composting.
· Staff and/or customers bringing hand-picked foliage, which has been grown in their gardens, into the shop for use with floral design.
· Working with suppliers to reduce inbound plastic work and return cardboard packaging to the relevant supplier, where possible.
· Taking plastic out of packaging to minimise outgoing plastic, any plastic waste generated will be disposed of with care and using best practice techniques.
· Keeping purchase of new plastic materials (such as plant pots and buckets) to a minimum by carefully cleaning & reusing many times.
· Working with all suppliers and customers to reduce waste.
· When possible, we consider recyclable alternatives for displays such as glass jars or vases which can be re-used.
· Sourcing gift bags that are made from recycled material.
· Enhancing awareness among our customers – educating and motivating them to act in an environmentally responsible manner and raising awareness of ‘Flower Miles’.
· Where practicable, we will provide information and assistance to customers on environmental issues arising from our activities.
· Using minimal packaging and re- use inbound cardboard for our online gift service
· Sorting our waste and recycle where possible and the Green Waste is composted
· All our correspondence is sent via email to cut down on paper and energy used for printing
· Minimising the use of paper in our workplace and working towards a paperless culture
· Delivery routes planned carefully to ensure the most direct route and reduce fuel emissions.
· Planning to renew our fleet of vehicles to electric or hydrogen powered, both of which can be generated from zero-carbon energy. Note: there is negative carbon impact if vehicles are disposed of before they are no longer viable.
· Not using gas as a method of power supply for our business use.
· Changing our lighting to LED lighting.
· Using an electric supplier (Octopus - awarded for the second year running 'the company that's done the most to advance UK renewables') who only get energy green sources, supplying 100% green electricity to customers, and investing in new renewable generation.
· Utilising a waste company (B&M Waste Services - an award-winning recycling-led waste management solution) who has a zero waste to landfill policy and have a legal obligation to adhere to TEEP. They separate green waste - it goes to anaerobic digestion (a sequence of processes by which micro-organisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen) which means they create energy from it.
· Returning used toner cartridges to the supplier (The Cartridge People) who work in partnership with WEEEE Recycling.
· Sourcing loo roll from 'Who Gives A Crap' made from 100% recycled fibres and they donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world
Booker Flowers and Gifts are also involved with several environmental initiatives: -
We have engaged with a community group of florists who work with Florismart (a flower supplier who provide support for florists) to put pressure on companies to make more environmental changes.
We continually seek new and sustainable ways of working; and we are an active member of Clean Growth UK (a pioneering, university-led innovation network of forward-thinking green businesses). They provide resources and support to help businesses to be innovative and grow.
We will again be participating in the Great Big Green Week, an annual nationwide celebration on climate change. We raise money for environmental projects at local schools by working with local businesses. Each year we aim to make our activities in the community even bigger by creating more awareness of climate change via social media.
We are embarking on a possible new venture and want to work in partnership with other local businesses (florists, coffee shops and microbreweries) to establish their natural waste in order to create a circular economy. Testing and research will be taking place shortly, but we have made the first of many steps to explore new opportunities and make changes in pursuit of a more sustainably business.
As the leader of the business, I continue to continually develop my knowledge and understanding of net zero and attend workshops, conferences and courses and I’m in the process of measuring out our carbon footprint and from this will create an action plan to put into practice, in order to reach our Net Zero target of 2030.
Our commitment to providing eco-friendly flowers and design solutions will be ongoing and our sustainability policy reviewed annually, evaluating operations and ensuring that they are as efficient as possible.
Booker Flowers and Gifts, 7 Booker Avenue, Liverpool, L18 4QY
01517244850
Gemma@bookerflowersandgifts.co.uk
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