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 VanderSalm's Flowershop, 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 Michigan farms and greenhouses is one of the most meaningful steps a florist can take toward sustainability. We also grow our own daffodils and tulips in the spring, as well as poinsettias and cyclamen plants. These practices significantly reduce our carbon footprint by cutting down on transportation emissions while supporting small farms and hardworking growers in our own community. Partnerships with local growers also 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. Use Seasonal Flowers Whenever Possible
Just like eating produce that's in season helps reduce the energy needed to transport goods across long distances, choosing seasonal flowers for our arrangements is a smart and sustainable practice. They help us stay in tune with nature's rhythms, allowing our designs to reflect the time of year in a beautiful and authentic way. Seasonal flowers also remind us, and our customers, that there is beauty in embracing the moment and celebrating what the earth is offering right now.
3. 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 welcome customers to bring in any vases they have to be cleaned and reused for new floral designs. This reduces waste and adds a sense of thoughtful intention to our designs.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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. We often donate floral arrangements to various organizations, events, and nonprofits in our area. We're honored to contribute however we can.
7. 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 seek out education on eco-friendly practices, keep up with industry innovations, and stay connected to evolving environmental standards. It's all about continuous improvement.
8. Share Information with Our Customers
We've spent a long time learning how to be a great eco-conscious florist, and we're passionate about sharing our knowledge with others. Whether you're a fellow florist, a curious customer, or someone just starting out on your flower and plant journey, we're always happy to talk about what we've learned and our best practices. We believe knowledge is power, and the more we share, the more impact we can make together.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.