How to have Eco Friendly Wedding Flowers

Eco Friendly, Fair Trade, Sustainable, Organic, Green Wedding Flowers make a large impact on your wedding day. Our florists incorporate the following practices. Encouraging florists to research and provide environmental wedding flowers is a way to have a healthier world and wedding for your self and your guests.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Eco Friendly, Fair Trade, Sustainable, Organic, Green Wedding Flowers make a large impact on your wedding day. Our florists incorporate the following practices. Encouraging florists to research and provide environmental wedding flowers is a way to have a healthier world and wedding for your self and your guests.
2. Eco Friendly, Sustainable, Fair Trade, Organic, Green Wedding Flowers www.aweddingwalk.com Organic Flowers
   
   Organic refers to a sustainable system of agriculture popularized in the U.S. by farmer and publisher J. I. Rodale in 1946. Organic farming seeks to work with nature, not against it, by utilizing agricultural techniques that build soil fertility and protect the surrounding air, water and wildlife. It emphasizes building healthy, rich soil to produce plants that are high in nutritional value and resistant to pests and diseases. The purpose of organic agriculture is to enrich the soil, minimize damage to ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and maintain environmental quality.
   
   Organically grown flowers and plants do not harbour hazardous fertilizers and pesticides. They can be safely composted with no fear of putting those nasty chemicals back into the soil.
   
   
   
   Transitional Flowers
   
   Transitional growers are adopting organic farming practices, have the intention of completing organic certification and who are currently under the oversight of a USDA accredited organic certification agency but are within the 3 year required process to reach certification status. Although there is no assurance the growers will achieve organic status, it is important to support growers who are dedicated to the process and have made the commitment to transition their farms to organic practices.
3. Eco Friendly, Sustainable, Fair Trade, Organic, Green www.aweddingwalk.com Eco Friendly Flowers
   
   Products that are labeled “eco-friendly” are not certified by an official government or independent standard but are deemed sustainable based on one or more of the following practices: a) the use of materials which are recycled, recyclable, tree-free, biodegradable, compostable, post-consumer, wild crafted, all-natural, and/or printed with vegetable-based inks; b) manufactured or transported using carbon offsets, renewable or efficient energy, and/or little to no toxic chemicals; c) produced using organic farming practices but are not certified under the USDA National Organic Program; d)check to see if a portion of the sale proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations dedicated to wildlife & land conservation, ecological restoration, and environmental protection.
   
   To reduce the packaging waste burden, fresh flower arrangements are created in containers which are biodegradable and can be safely composted. For wrapping and protecting beautiful bouquets, natural materials are used such as hessian, paper, cornstarch film, cotton, jute, raffia. All giving a premium quality finishing touch to the overall design. When decorative finishes are used in the designs, every effort is made to ensure that they do not add to environmental problems. On the rare occasion that this is not possible, try to replenish what has been borrowed from the environment, for example by planting a native tree or shrub
4. Eco Friendly, Sustainable, Fair Trade, Organic, Green www.aweddingwalk.com Locally Produced Flowers
   
   Locally produced flowers, foliage and plants make perfect environmental sense--they don't spend days traveling so they're fresher, they don't incur air miles and they support the local economy.
   Ask for local suppliers when you have the option.
   
   Socially Responsible Flowers
   
   Products that are labeled “socially responsible” are not certified by an official government or independent standard but are deemed worthy based one or more of the following practices: a) sourced from farmers and artisans who re-invest in the infrastructure of their local communities through education, healthcare, and/or economic development projects; b) sourced from farmers and artisans who are employed by companies that provide safe and just working conditions, a livable wage, and adequate health and education benefits; c) a portion of the sale proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations dedicated to social justice, human rights & welfare, and animal rights; d) produced without animal testing or cruelty and are either vegetarian or vegan.
5. Eco Friendly, Sustainable, Fair Trade, Organic, Green www.aweddingwalk.com Veriflora Flowers
   
   Veriflora™ is America’s first comprehensive sustainability certification program for the floral and potted plant industries. The VeriFlora "Certified Sustainably Grown" label is your guarantee that flowers and potted plants have been produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and meet the highest standards for freshness and quality. When you choose a VeriFlora product, you are contributing to a global movement to encourage companies to become sustainable. Already, this has resulted in significant and positive change for farmers, farm workers, and the environment.
   
   Biodynamic Flowers
   
   Biodynamics is the oldest sustainable system of agriculture practiced in the western world today, started by German philosopher Rudolph Steiner in 1924. The Biodynamic Method was later refined in the United States by Dr. Pfeiffer. In the late 1960's and early 70's, Alan Chadwick further developed the method into the Biodynamic French Intensive method of horticulture. Chadwick established a research facility and demonstration farm and garden at the University of California at Santa Cruz, which is now known as the Agroecology Program.
6. Eco Friendly, Sustainable, Fair Trade, Organic, Green www.aweddingwalk.com Fair Trade Flowers
   
   Fair Trade is a growing, international movement which ensures that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means a fair price for their goods (one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a living income), long-term contracts which provide real security; and for many, support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales.
   
   Fair Trade flowers are available. Working on the same principles as the more familiar Fair Trade coffee and tea, these flowers are superb quality and give much needed financial and ethical support to producers in developing countries. Ask for fair trade options when choosing your flowers.
7. Flowers Made with Organic Ingredients
   
   Products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients can use the phrase "made with organic ingredients" according to the USDA National Organic Program. Organic refers to a sustainable system of agriculture popularized in the U.S. by farmer and publisher J. I. Rodale in 1946. Organic farming seeks to work with nature, not against it, by utilizing agricultural techniques that build soil fertility and protect the surrounding air, water and wildlife. It emphasizes building healthy, rich soil to produce plants that are high in nutritional value and resistant to pests and diseases.
8. Eco Friendly, Sustainable, Fair Trade, Organic, Green www.aweddingwalk.com A Wedding Walk Maui Hawaii performs simple ceremonies. Eco Friendly, Sustainable, Fair Trade, Organic, Green packages available. Couples live your dreams.
   808 573 8196 www.aweddingwalk.com [e-mail]