As the owner and manager of Calypso Flowers, as a person who works closely with nature, AND as a sensitive Human Being, I am very conscious of the way in which we deal with nature and the environment. I have initiated the following actions to lessen our impact, and to decrease wastage.
WATER
- used vase water is utilised to water pot-plants and the 2 handsome ficus topiary trees planted in the pavement near the shop. They were very grateful during the hot summer months !
PAPER
-the cellophane in which the flowers are wrapped when they arrive from market is cut up and used to wet-wrap the flowers prior to delivery to you, the customer
- if the flowers come wrapped in paper, then the paper is reused to pack boxes to prevent movement and breakage in transit
-any other waste paper material (used tissue paper, junk mail etc) goes into our newly acquired compost bin
-the small clear plastic bags, if they have been unavoidably brought from the supermarket, are recycled as wet-wraps for larger bunches of flowers. We ALMOST have a 'no plastic bag' policy, having cut down by 99% in the last 2 months
- where possible, cardboard boxes from the supermarket are salvaged to package table centres etc when they are to be couriered out ( I LOVE the plain black apple box bottoms !)
- we also have a council recycle bin
PLANT WASTE
We try to use as much of the plant as possible in our bouquets and arrangements, but whatever has to be thrown out, goes into the compost bin. We anticipate being able to give away the compost to customers once it is cooked.
By taking these actions we have halved the amount of rubbish that goes into the bin.
ELECTRICITY
- display lighting is switched off after midnight.
"PLANT MILES "
Most of our flowers and foliage is sourced locally, that is, within Australia. A large percentage is grown around Melbourne. Only the tropical flowers and foliage come from overseas. These 'imports' constitute about 5% of our stock
In future months, I intend that Calypso Flowers contributes POSITIVELY to better our world, for example, by being involved with tree planting in Melbourne. I welcome your suggestions !
Denise Patience
WATER
- used vase water is utilised to water pot-plants and the 2 handsome ficus topiary trees planted in the pavement near the shop. They were very grateful during the hot summer months !
PAPER
-the cellophane in which the flowers are wrapped when they arrive from market is cut up and used to wet-wrap the flowers prior to delivery to you, the customer
- if the flowers come wrapped in paper, then the paper is reused to pack boxes to prevent movement and breakage in transit
-any other waste paper material (used tissue paper, junk mail etc) goes into our newly acquired compost bin
-the small clear plastic bags, if they have been unavoidably brought from the supermarket, are recycled as wet-wraps for larger bunches of flowers. We ALMOST have a 'no plastic bag' policy, having cut down by 99% in the last 2 months
- where possible, cardboard boxes from the supermarket are salvaged to package table centres etc when they are to be couriered out ( I LOVE the plain black apple box bottoms !)
- we also have a council recycle bin
PLANT WASTE
We try to use as much of the plant as possible in our bouquets and arrangements, but whatever has to be thrown out, goes into the compost bin. We anticipate being able to give away the compost to customers once it is cooked.
By taking these actions we have halved the amount of rubbish that goes into the bin.
ELECTRICITY
- display lighting is switched off after midnight.
"PLANT MILES "
Most of our flowers and foliage is sourced locally, that is, within Australia. A large percentage is grown around Melbourne. Only the tropical flowers and foliage come from overseas. These 'imports' constitute about 5% of our stock
In future months, I intend that Calypso Flowers contributes POSITIVELY to better our world, for example, by being involved with tree planting in Melbourne. I welcome your suggestions !
Denise Patience