Circular economy practices in floriculture are effective when each entity of the supply chain is dedicated to the outcome. These industry entities include growers, wholesalers, retailers and florists, transporters and suppliers. 

A break in the chain by not working to reduce waste, maintain resources or foster social equality leads to a linear economy, which further complicates efforts in addressing pressing issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss. When all sectors within the industry are operating in a value supply chain, they help each other achieve goals of eliminating pollution, strengthen the flow of product and renewing ecosystems.

Sustainabloom’s research-driven guide prepared by experts in the industry explains the importance of a circular economy, providing details about the benefits of such practices, not only for floriculture ecosystems of businesses, but the community as a whole. The guides also outline effective ways businesses at every step of the supply chain can establish practices in day-to-day operations that lead to long-term circular economy.

Benefits of Circular Economy

To address circular economy as it relates to floriculture, the American Floral Endowment (AFE), developers of the Sustainabloom program, drew upon the expertise of Dr, Melinda Knuth and her student, Mariam Mohammed, of the Department of Horticultural Sciences at North Carolina State University. In the guide for industry professionals, the researchers discuss the benefits of a circular economy. The benefits are broken into four main categories: costs, consumers, stability and labor.

In their research, Mohammed and Knuth found that a circular economy can help reduce material costs and secure supplies through the development of more efficient resource models. This offers a level of protection for companies in terms of economic swings and interruptions.

Other benefits include more ability to respond to customer demand as consumers become more environmentally aware and seek opportunities to strengthen their sustainability habits. Circular economies in floriculture also produce more stable supply chains within local communities, allowing businesses to navigate hardships, such as disasters and other economic, social or political disruptions. A closed-loop model also supports a more robust labor supply and promotes the use of temporary workers to help fill employment needs. 

Achieving the Value Chain

Because creating a fully-integrated circular economy can be a challenge, Sustainabloom’s researchers suggest starting small – finding ways to incorporate practices that brings the business closer to the goal. Reusing things like plastic pots and returning compostable materials to farms can help. Another example includes return carts, buckets, or containers to the previous company in the chain for reuse, whether that be the florist, wholesaler, grower, or supplier. These materials can then be reused and returned repeatedly in the future.  A larger challenge floriculture businesses face is tackling greenhouse gas emissions, more specifically, carbon footprints that are beyond the scope of on-site practices. These can include sourcing from entities not implementing sustainable measures or using fossil fuel in transportation. 

The most effective way to approach environmental, economic and social sustainability is through community engagement, the researchers advise. Driving social responsibility to the forefront of business practices can support environmental and economic efforts as well as broaden market opportunities, create new jobs, foster inclusion, and further connect with customers and demands within in their own market. Building a strong relationship with the community is essential in addressing the three sustainability pillars – environment, economy and social – of the floriculture industry. 

By Carla Dempsey