Coventry University address sustainable packaging
Coventry University is leading a project to reduce plastic, packaging and waste in the British cut-flower industry … important given the amount of packaging used to protect and hydrate flowers from grower to consumer.
Led by Professor David Bek, from Coventry University’s Research Centre for Creative Economies, an industry working group has produced a new booklet and other resources designed to guide the floriculture industry towards more sustainable practices.
The working group, which is co-led by the University of Surrey, comprises key collaborators such as the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI), Interflora, the British Floristry Association, Flowers from the Farm, JZ Flowers, Superflora, and Bloom and Wild.
Partly funded by an Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) awarded to Coventry University by the Economic and Social Research Council, the project aims to transform the industry by encouraging and promoting sustainable practices by offering practical guidelines for reducing environmental impacts, such as minimising the use of single-use plastics and improving packaging efficiency.
While important for product protection, the widespread use of single-use plastics poses a significant environmental concern, and as consumer demand for sustainable practices grows, businesses that adopt eco-friendly methods enhance environmental sustainability, improve efficiency and lower costs.
Commenting on the project Shane Connolly, who holds a Royal Appointment to both the King and Queen, said: “I have struggled for years with the idea that so many florists feel that nature is their inspiration and guide, yet so much of floral practice is damaging to nature. It has been wonderful to see this dichotomy addressed. We need to offer solutions to florists rather than bombard them with the issues and that’s what we’re starting to do and in a way that is supported by robust academic research.”
For Professor David Bek commitment has been key. “The strength of this project lies in the commitment offered by industry and expert stakeholders. Their support not only lends credibility to our initiative but also amplifies the message of sustainability within the industry. This project represents a crucial step toward reducing the environmental impact of the cut-flower industry and the involvement of respected industry leaders is a testament to its importance.”
Meanwhile Jill Timms - who helped launched the Coventry based initiative and now works at the University of Surrey it’s been about collaboration. “For me, at the core of this project and our working group is collaboration. It has been challenging, but we have brought people together from across flower supply chains - both global and local. We have produced guidance which has been really useful to many different groups and sets a high bar for the ambitions we have to bring about significant policy and behavioural change for a more sustainable, and less wasteful and plastic orientated flower industry future.
If you want to know more and which products are best to use, you can download a copy of the report using this link https://sustainableflowersresearch.org/download/466/?tmstv=1727165952
