We’re often told to stop and smell the roses but this Valentine’s Day, it might be more appropriate to pause and consider the environmental impact of this romantic flower.
To begin, let’s take a look at the flower farming process. In colder climates, flowers are often grown in greenhouses. One of the most affordable ways to heat a greenhouse is through the combustion of natural gas which, unfortunately, can release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In fact, flower production can be associated with up to 3 kilograms of CO2 per flower.
Transportation is also a factor. Many of the roses we find here in the United States come from Colombia and Ecuador, two of the world’s largest exporters of cut flowers. While normally these roses are flown into the US on passenger planes already making the journey, this isn’t the case in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day. To keep up with customer demand, roughly 30 cargo jets fly from the Andes mountains to Miami each day in the three weeks before February 14th, creating an enormous amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, when the flowers leave Miami for destinations around the country, they’re often transported in refrigerated trucks that use more fuel than non-refrigerated ones.
Here’s how to make a difference:
Choose CLEAN RESERVE Lush Fleur
Gift the alluring scent of roses the sustainable way with CLEAN RESERVE Lush Fleur! To create this uplifting perfume, we only use sustainably-sourced Damask Roses. We partner with a company that sources this flower from villages in Turkey that have a longstanding history of responsibly growing and harvesting them. In turn, we support the villagers’ traditional production methods by always paying fair trade prices.
Shop Local
We’ve spoken before about the environmental value of buying local produce from your closest farmer’s market, and the same applies to flowers! This Valentine’s Day, why not gift in-season flowers from independent growers local to your area? It’ll make your gift feel that little bit more personal while also helping to support the local economy and the environment.
Check Certifications
You know our fragrances have been awarded certifications from the likes of PETA and Leaping Bunny, and you’re probably used to seeing the FSC certification on the paper we use to package them, but did you know you can find similar marks on the flowers you purchase? This year, look out for flowers that have been awarded Florverde certification so you know they’ve been grown with sustainability at top of mind.
Move On Responsibly
If you’re lucky enough to receive a heartfelt bouquet this Valentine’s Day, make sure to show Mother Nature some love too by disposing of your flowers in an eco-friendly way when they reach the end of their life. You can compost your flowers, or even dry them out! Just separate the stems you’d like to keep from the rest of the bunch, place them in a reusable CLEAN SPACE votive, and leave them in a cool, dry, place for three to four weeks. You can then use your dried flowers as decorations, in craft projects, or to make potpourri!
