Action Tips: Green the Flowers at Your Next School Dance

Nearly three out of every four cut flower sold in the US are imported – talk about a hefty carbon footprint for something that won’t last a week! Not to worry, check out our tips to green up your greenery below.

Be Choosy About Your Nursery or Florist

• When choosing a nursery or florist, ask them if their plants and flowers are locally-grown and organic. If they import, ask them if they are fair-trade.
• When choosing a nursery or florist, ask them about their approach to eco-friendliness, like do they recycle or compost? Do they donate still-usable arrangements to nursing homes or other local causes?

Rent Potted Plants From a Local Nursery

Potted plants are reusable and aren’t shipped around the world and give them back to the nursery when your event is over.

• If you can’t find a local nursery that rents plants, buy potted plants and flowers.
• If you end up buying potted plants, make a fun post-event service project out of it. You can plant them around the playground of your local elementary school or around your school building.

Use Fair-Trade and Pesticide-Free Flowers

• If you have to use cut-flowers, make sure they carry an organic and fair-trade stamp, indicating that they’re environmentally and worker-friendly. Can't find a stamp? Ask the florist.
• If organic isn’t is your school’s budget, use locally grown in-season flowers, from a local farmer’s market or nursery.