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Lately, it has been a big issue and you hear it almost everywhere, even 4
year olds from infant schools are learning and talking about environmental
issues (not that they practise them at home!).
The mission to protect the environment has been an issue in my mind for a long
time. I have worked with many florists in the past where doing simple tasks
such as recycling green waste and the packaging seems to be such an effort!
The usual comment that I get from the bosses is "We have green policy but
no one is following it" or they say "we are just to busy to bother!". At
Designs by Taran we promise that such lame excuses will not be tolerated.
Currently, we have 3 recycling bins, which are used for green waste, plastics
wrapping and cardboard. All of which are regularly taken to the nearest
recycling facility. Here are few examples of ways in which we are helping
the environment.
Printed Paper
All printed paper is either shredded to be used as padding for deliveries or
re-used as note pads. We also collect off-cuts from our local printers to
maintain a healthy stock for delivery padding purposes.
Cardboard boxes.
Some of our fresh flowers come in sturdy cardboard boxes, which are then used
as a delivery tray for our local orders or taken direct to the recycling facility.
90% of our packaging materials are made from recycled paper and we use FSC new
paper for all our stationary requirements.
Cellophane, Flowers Gift Wrappings, Ribbons etc.
We encourage all our customers to recycle their packaging materials by suggesting
that they donate unwanted cellophane, tissue paper, ribbons etc. to local schools
for their arts and crafts activities. This is always welcomed.
Containers.
Most of our arrangements and hamper containers are very attractive and were
chosen especially with recycling in mind. For example, our faux-leather
hamper boxes are ideal to be re-used as jewellery or sewing boxes and the
flower containers could be re-used to house a potted plant or even as fruit bowl!
Carbon Foot Print
We have gone to extensive lengths to source our stock both from local suppliers,
and those who have proven track records in ethical policy. We are very proud to
announce that around 90% of our current stock is produced ethically by local
companies and individuals. The other 10% are at least ethically produced and
confirmed by our suppliers. These measures mean that, for example, a customer
in Scotland can rest assured that most of our stock has NOT travelled from
Glasgow to us in Surrey and then taken back up north to its final destination.
We try our best to compile/source our stock locally so that the only carbon
footprint created by Designs by Taran (*other than our International flower
deliveries) would be our final deliveries of goods ordered by our
environmentally conscious customers.
*Where possible our International Flower deliveries are flown in on passenger
planes rather than on specifically chartered aircraft.
By sourcing our products locally, we are helping our local producers by
cutting out the middleman and keeping the costs to a minimum.
Fair Flowers Fair Plants
We are members of Fair Flowers Fair Plants (FFP). The FFP is the result of
consultations between a large number of parties, including representatives
from the international flower and plant industries, various human rights
interest groups (NGOs) and trade unions. The target of the FFP is to stimulate
sales of sustainably produced flowers and plants. Designs bearing this logo
are produced by growers who satisfy strict requirements during cultivation
to preserve energy and resources and who make the social welfare of their
staff a top priority. Through purchasing FFP products, you are guaranteed
to be making a real contribution to a better living environment. So, what
are you waiting for? Do your bit and buy some FFP approved designs from
us today!
Ethical Shopping Organisation
We are still waiting to be given final clearance by this respected organisation.
The Ethical Company Organisation's research team provides the world's leading
clear and comparative ethical shopping information on thousands of companies
and brands to ethical shoppers, NGOs, ethical companies and government. Our
researchers compare ethical and Corporate Social Responsibility records in
relation to up to 15 different ethical criteria, including environmental and
human rights records, food standards, animal welfare and involvement in the
arms trade. This involves working closely on ethical shopping issues with
ethical consumers, ethical companies and several NGOs - from Friends of the
Earth to Oxfam.
Community Projects
At early stage of launching Designs by Taran, 2 local schools in Farnham,
Surrey were invited to participate in a drawing competition to produce designs
for the greetings cards we send out with our floral and gift deliveries. We
had a great number of interesting and amazing entries from children between
the ages of 4 and 12. The overall winner was Harriet Lee, aged 7, of Badshot
Lea Village Infant School. Her charming bumble bee drawing for Valentines Day
was so cute and original that the panel of judges were rather smitten by it.
To view winning entries from all age groups, please click the thumbnails below.
We plan to hold various competitions throughout the year to involve local
communities...
Charity Associations
Throughout the year we are keen to support as many charities as we can. We
are especially keen to assist local charities, such as the Phillis Tuckwell
Hospice, which is based in Farnham. For our launch, we are currently supporting
the British Heart Foundation with their Valentine’s Day appeal, where they hope
to raise 1 million pounds for various important tasks within the organisation.
Please click here to view our Valentine’s day floral designs, where we have
dedicated 2 designs and 10% from the sale price will be donated to BHF.
Customers ordering either these designs will receive a certificate thanking
them for their generous contributions.
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