Sustainability is more than just being green. It's about honoring people, the planet, and our purpose: caring for our employees, uplifting our community, and finding thoughtful ways to spark joy through flowers, all while being mindful of our impact. At Designs of the Times, we're committed to blooming responsibly every single day by rethinking our practices, partnering with like-minded growers and vendors, and making choices that protect both people and the planet. We believe fresh flowers should never come at the cost of the Earth — they should help it flourish.
Being an Eco-Conscious Florist Means We:
1. Get Flowers & Plants from Local Growers
Sourcing plants and flowers from local growers and our own cutting garden is one of the most meaningful steps we can take toward sustainability. It significantly reduces our carbon footprint by reducing transportation emissions while supporting small farms and hardworking growers in our community. These partnerships strengthen local economies and foster lasting relationships. Plus, local blooms reflect the natural beauty of our region-something truly special to share with customers.
2. Reuse Vases & Offer a Vase Refill Program
While flowers evolve throughout their full lifecycle, glass and ceramic vases remain static. That's why we always reuse our vessels for different events instead of discarding them, giving them new life with each arrangement. We also encourage customers to bring in recycled vases for us to sanitize and reuse. When someone takes the time to recycle their containers with us, we always thank them with a free bundle of fun blooms.Additionally, we offer a vase refill program, inviting customers to bring in their vases to be refilled with fresh flowers. This reduces waste and adds a sense of thoughtful intention to our designs.
3. Recycle & Reuse Flower Boxes
Our fresh flowers arrive in sturdy cardboard boxes that have proven to be surprisingly versatile — proof that sustainability often starts with simple choices. While we recycle what we can, many of these boxes are given a second life in our shop. We use them as weed barriers in our landscape and are available for customers at no charge. These boxes are also used as protective carriers during our delivery runs on holidays. Repurposing materials helps us reduce waste and maximize every resource that comes through our doors.
4. Swap Plastics & Single Use Items for Other Floristry Methods
As florists, creativity is at the heart of everything we do — not just in our arrangements but also in how we approach sustainability. While single-use plastic tools have long made certain tasks easier, we're rethinking those habits and embracing more eco-friendly alternatives. One example is using chicken wire to secure stems (our standard since 1990). It's reusable, sturdy, and allows for beautiful, natural movement in our designs. We have also replaced plastic pics with bamboo holders for our enclosure cards. Going back to these floristry roots has challenged us to think outside the proverbial box.
5. Plan Our Delivery Routes with Efficiency in Mind
Mapping out the order in which we make our deliveries makes sense from a strategic perspective in that we bring smiles to our customers faster, which is our number one goal. A well-planned route ensures that each bouquet arrives fresh and on time, creating memorable moments without unnecessary delays. Streamlining our delivery schedule also reduces fuel consumption, lowers vehicle emissions, and minimizes the time our amazing team spends on the road. It's a win-win approach that blends excellent customer service with eco-conscious decision-making.
6. Deliver in Electric Vehicles
In an effort to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, all vehicles in our delivery fleet run on electric power. This thoughtful shift allows us to deliver fresh flowers to your doorstep with reduced emissions and greater energy efficiency. Plus, the quieter operation of these vehicles helps reduce noise pollution in our communities. And as an added benefit, these vehicles often qualify for green business incentives, allowing us to reinvest those savings into further eco-conscious efforts.
7. Treat Our Employees and Growers Fairly
Sustainability doesn't end with caring for the health of the environment; it begins with treating all living beings with care and concern for their well-being. Our employees and growers are a part of our family, and we treat them with the utmost respect, ensuring that our relationships are nurtured just as much as our beautiful flowers. We prioritize fair treatment, open communication, and supportive work environments where everyone feels valued and heard.
8. Work with Growers who are Stewards of the Land
Growers are on the front line of how we interact with the planet, which is why we're intentional about partnering with trusted, eco-conscious growers who share our values. These stewards of the land practice responsible farming, using land thoughtfully, nurturing healthy ecosystems, and prioritizing sustainability. They avoid harmful chemicals, support biodiversity, employ natural pesticides and crop rotation, and implement regenerative techniques that give back to the earth rather than deplete it. Their dedication ensures that the beauty we bring into your home is rooted in care and conscience.
9. Use Energy and Water Mindfully in Our Shop
Water and energy are finite resources, and we make sure to treat them as such. That's why we take a mindful approach to how we use them in our day-to-day operations. From smart use of lighting and calibrated floral coolers to careful water usage and thoughtful cleanup practices, we aim to minimize waste at every turn. We also prioritize reducing, reusing, and recycling materials whenever possible - from flower buckets to packaging. Every drop, every watt, and every small adjustment adds up.
10. Repurpose Flowers After Events
Many fresh flower designs often outlast the events they were created for, and we believe their beauty shouldn't go to waste just because the celebration has ended. For this reason, we love giving these arrangements a meaningful second life by recutting the stems and donating them to hospice. It's a heartfelt way to extend the life of our blooms while giving back to those around us.
11. Volunteer Throughout Our Community
Being eco-conscious isn't just about caring for the planet - it's also about investing in the well-being of our community and creating a positive impact for everyone who lives in or visits the area. We believe that giving back is a natural extension of our values, and our team takes pride in offering both our time and resources to support local causes. Whether it's volunteering at local organizations or community events, donating floral arrangements to charity galas, or partnering with nonprofits, we're honored to contribute however we can.
12. Swap Balloons for Animal Plushies
Instead of selling balloons and products filled with helium, we are providing more air-filled options. We also encourage customers to purchase animal plushies to pair with flower arrangements. These soft, lovable companions make wonderful keepsakes and are perfect for children, sweethearts, or anyone who could use a little extra cheer. Not only are they a fun and heartfelt addition to any gift, but they also align with our commitment to reducing waste, caring for animals, and choosing earth-friendly options. It's one small switch that brings just as much joy.
13. Believe in the Power of Education
Being an eco-conscious florist begins with learning how to cultivate, design, and deliver our flowers sustainably, as well as implementing steps to ensure we're doing it right. We make every effort to learn as much as possible about these processes, staying on top of growth and changes as they occur. We actively seek out education on eco-friendly practices, keep up with industry innovations, and stay connected to evolving standards through the Edapp platform, workshops, and conversations with like-minded growers and florists. We always support our employees with paid time off, expenses, and tuition for education. It's all about continuous improvement.
14. Share Information with Our Customers
We've spent years learning how to be as sustainable as possible and have built the tools and habits to make eco-conscious choices every single day - and we're passionate about sharing our knowledge with others. In fact, it's our job to educate the public on how to care for, design, and enjoy the beauty of flowers. Whether you're a fellow florist, a curious customer, or someone just starting out, we're always happy to talk about what we've learned. We believe knowledge is power, and the more we share, the more impact we can make together.
15. Are Open to Learning & Growing Towards a More Sustainable Future
When it comes to being an eco-conscious florist, we'll be the first to admit we don't have all the answers. But we're deeply aware, always learning, and committed to doing better every day. Sustainability is a journey, and we approach it with humility, curiosity, and care. Every decision we make - from the flowers we source to the materials we use - is guided by our desire to protect what matters most: our people, our community, and our planet.Fresh flowers and plants are here to make special events and everyday life extra memorable and beautiful. It's all about feeling good and doing the right thing, even inside our flower shop.