EARTHCHAT: Sustainability in Floristry and the Horticultural Supply Chain

Listen at noon, Tuesday 14 April on Seymour FM or anytime as a podcast.

The reason for discussing this topic is that national and global demand for flowers is increasing due to a number of factors such as: increasing urbanisation and reduced opportunities to garden; a desire to bring “nature inside” for beauty and well-being, at home and in business and event settings.

The Australian industry generates about US$ 812 million currently and is expected to grow another 4% by 2031 due to resilient and regular consumer demand and a growing export market for our native flowers, regarded as distinctive and low water consuming.

The industry is under pressure from increasingly aware domestic and business consumers to adopt sustainable practices that will protect ecosystems and workers in the growing, distribution and waste management phases of production and use.  Education of suppliers, florists and consumers is improving and we will discuss some of the exciting initiatives underway locally and internationally.

Our EarthChat guest is Rita Feldmann, the Founder and Education Director of the Sustainable Floristry Network (SFN), an independent body creating a new standard for floristry based around sustainability principles. Rita is based in Melbourne and there are many Australian members of the organisation with strong interest from international partners in the industry and at universities and other research facilities on their “No Floral Foam” and waste minimisation and reuse initiatives. More information can be found at:  www.sustainablefloristry.org

Tune in to EarthChat on 103.9 FM at midday, Tuesday 14 April. Here is Seymour FM's website. 

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