0 Cart
Added to Cart
    You have items in your cart
    You have 1 item in your cart
      Total
      Blog Menu

      British Flowers Week 2021

      British Flowers Week 2021

      British Flowers Week is back!

      This campaign run by New Covent Garden Market in London, is returning for it ninth year between Monday 14th and Sunday 20th June 2021.

      The week long festivities will celebrate the beauty and variety of British cut flowers, foliage and plants, as well as the florists, growers and wholesalers who make it all possible.

      British Flowers Week 2021

       

      Would you like to get involved?

      British Flowers Week Windows

      To get involved this year The British Flowers Association encouraging businesses and the public to decorate their windows with British flowers in their home or places of work; preferably where passers-by can enjoy them from 14th to 20th June.

      Whether it’s with a single stem, a bouquet made from garden flowers or a spectacular display, a decorated window with show support for the British flower industry this June.

      To get involved create a British Flowers Week window with British flowers, foliage or plants, from the garden, a local grower, florist or wholesaler.

      Once you’ve created your design take a picture of your British Flowers Week window, share it on social media using #BritishFlowersWeek and tag @MarketFlowers to show support for British businesses and go in the draw to win fantastic prizes.

      The Hiden Collective and British Flowers

      We love Ethical British Flowers!

      Our supply chain is very simple, trackable and energy efficient.

      We order flowers either directly from the grower or from a British flowers wholesaler and in that way the grower will only cut the flowers that are preordered.

      We also buy only what we can sell and if we have any spare blooms, we donate and brighten the life of the residents of an elderly home close to our studio.

      This process allows us to deliver the flowers to your doorstep in the minimum possible time and for you to enjoy the flowers at their freshest.

      Our flowers never sit around in a  very high energy consuming warehouse fridge like in many cases when you purchase imported flowers.

      The classic supply chain can keep flowers in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks with the relevant energy use.

      Talking about waste… the classic supply chain will waste approximately  1 in 3 stems, and if you scale this up  on a yearly basis you are  talking  about millions of blooms, wasted land, labour, resources and fuel.

      We only use seasonal flowers and so we can’t source hundreds of varieties of flowers.

      Our limitation is our strength!

      Each season has its own bloom star and we can guarantee that they are looking stunning as ever, like the scented garden rose between early May and late autumn.

      We are experiencing an Ethical British Flowers revolutions with lots of new flower growers  opening every month across England.

      After many years of decline, the British Floral Industry is starting to truly starting to bloom again and we love being a part of it!

      The more the independent flower growing movement thrives within the UK, the more accessible home-grown seasonal flowers will become and the less we rely so heavily on importing. 

      Shifting to locally grown blooms to decorate our houses, work spaces and weddings has the potential to lower the carbon footprint of the industry and give us better control over the working conditions in the fields where our flowers are grown.

      British flowers

      Chicken wire for floral arrangement

      Chicken wire for floral arrangement

      Chicken wire is much better that floral foam and should be the first option when you are going to create a floral arrangement.

      Is reusable, is more economical, the flowers are able to drink naturally and is much much better for the environment.

      A win win for us and the planet.

      Step by step to how to use chicken wire in a floral arrangement:

      Chicken wire floral arrangement

      • Cut a square of chicken wire and fold it into a cushion shape, making sure that all the sharp edges of the chicken wire are twisted towards the inside of the cushion to avoid damaging the container.
      • The size of the chicken wire required depends on the size and shape of the container. Unfortunately there is not a specific rule to follow but I am sure that after few attempts will much easier.
      •  Place the chicken wire cushion into the container and if you have the possibility you can fix it with floral tape or with any other tape that you have available. The best method is create a cross on the wire with the tape and stick the end on the container. Try to use as little tape as possible and try to not make showing that much or you will need lots of flowers and foliage to cover it.
      • If you decide to use a transparent glass vase a good trick is to line the container first with large simple leaves or a twist of trailing ivy to conceal the wire.

      Foam free floral arrangement Oakham

      • Add water to your container and possibly includes some flowers food. Start your decoration by adding you foliage, make sure that the stems are long enough to reach the base of the vase and so they can drink easily and last for long time.
      • Once you are the majority of foliage add your flowers and use the last foliage where required.
      • Every few days or whenever you fill that is need it top up the water in the container.

      Chicken wire floral arrangement tutorial

      Do you wonder why floral foam is not good for the environment?

      Read here our blog post THE GREEN ALTERNATIVE TO FLORAL FOAM

      The green alternative to floral foam

       

      Do you know the meaning of Eco & Biodegradable?

      Do you know the meaning of Eco & Biodegradable?

      There are many changes that we need to make right now if we want to ensure that the planet remains green and gorgeous for our children and grandchildren.

      What does biodegradable mean?

      When it comes to the meaning of biodegradable, we need to look at the wider picture of sustainability. Biodegradability refers to whether or not a product can be broken down, and reabsorbed, without causing any harm to the surrounding environment. Microbes, fungi and bacteria are responsible for naturally breaking down items.

      However, this is rather simplistic. Different things take different lengths of time to break down. And some release harmful gases or chemicals in the process. It also needs clarification because most things will break down eventually, but it may take hundreds of years to do so.

      Therefore, the term ‘biodegradable’ can be a little confusing and misleading when you’re trying to make sustainable choices. Especially when it comes to packaging and single-use items. This has been exacerbated because the term has been used widely from a marketing perspective. 

      In order to stick to being truly biodegradable, you want to choose natural products and avoid plastic as much as possible. Having said that, if the only alternatives available are made with biodegradable plastic versus traditional plastic, then the greener choice is to go with the biodegradable version and dispose of it properly.

      What does eco mean?

      ‘Eco’ is a very generic term. In its loosest sense, it’s a prefix, and simply means anything ‘connected with the environment.’ 

      However, nowadays it is more weighted in common usage. If a term has eco as a prefix, then it is generally considered to be something that is good in environmental terms.

      An excellent example of this is with the term ‘eco-friendly’.

      What does eco-friendly mean?

      Eco-friendly is an example of the prefix ‘eco’ in action. If something is eco-friendly then it is considered to be something that is good, or kind, to the environment. 

      It’s seen to not be harmful. Therefore you can have eco-friendly products such as an eco-friendly shower puff, but you can also have eco-friendly processes, decisions or actions, such as how to make an eco-friendly home.

      It’s possible to see that eco-friendly is also closely tied up with our understanding of sustainability. 

      In many ways, the two go hand in hand.

      What does zero waste mean?

      Zero waste is a concept, or principle. 

      It is the aim to change how we consume things so that waste is prevented and ultimately eliminated. 

      This would mean that no waste ends up in landfills and incinerators, as well as in the natural environment, such as our oceans.

      Going Zero Waste explains it as “We aim to send nothing to landfill. 

      We reduce what we need, reuse as much as we can, send little to be recycled, and compost what we cannot.” 

      They go on to explain that “the circular economy mimics nature in that there is no trash in nature.”

      Zero waste as a concept has most significance for individuals when they consider the packaging that the items they consume come in. 

      By choosing products such as the zero waste starter kit, consumers can actively choose to create less waste through their purchasing decisions.

      Creating an eco-workspace: get the basics right

      Natural light is really important to our wellbeing, particularly at work. So if possible, position your desk and chair in a spot flooded with natural light. You’ll feel more invigorated and energised for work.

      Lastly, bring the outdoors in. 

      Plants are proven to help reduce workplace stress, so why not surround your workspace with some greenery? 

      If you’re tight for space, then make use of these beautiful crochet plant hangers. 

      Made with 100% recycled cotton, and available in a range of colours, they definitely fit the green bill!

      Ideas for reusing our Hessian wrapping- what's yours?

      Ideas for reusing our Hessian wrapping- what's yours?

      Here at The Hiden Collective the impact that we have on our planet  is important to and we are trying our best to reduce our impact on the environment and consider all aspects of our activities no matter how small the impact maybe.

      This is why we have chosen from the beginning of the  Collective not to use :

      • non biodegradable cellophane,
      • flowers foam,
      • ribbon or any other nasty things….

      Our flowers are gorgeously wrapped with an innovative biodegradable hydrating fabric (helping us to keep the flowers happy during their overnight carbon-neutral journey) water holding bag and hessian.

      We want to share with you and encourage you to be creative and reuse the hessian to pro long it's life cycle. Celebrate it's brilliance of being so multi purpose or nurture your creativity by working it into your day to day wrapping needs! Here is some interesting facts about Hessian and some of our ideas of how to reuse the Hessian but we would love to hear what you do with yours?  

      What is Hessian?

      Hessian is an eco-friendly woven fabric made from skin of the jute plant.

      Hessian is consider to have a lower environmental impact than cotton due to its less water intensive production process, fast growth and its ability to biodegrade in soil.

      The strength of the hessian jute fibres means that the fabric does not easily tear or stretch, and keeps its strength even after being wet and dried repeatedly.

      Historically hessian has been produced as a coarse fabric, but more recently it is being used in a refined state for creating bags, rugs and other products.

      Hessian was first exported from India in the early 19th century and is mostly used to ship goods like coffee beans and tea (thanks to the fact that it is breathable and so resists condensation and associated spoilage of contents).

      The word hessian is attributed to the historic use of the fabric in German soldiers uniforms, who were known as hessians.

      What can you do with the Hessian flower wrapping? 

      Eco Gift Wrap

      Next time you are need to wrap a gift, rather than use paper, why you don't try to reuse the hessian fabric.

      Just wrap as if using paper, forgot sellotape and fasten with twine string or your favourite ribbon to make it completely eco-friendly.

      What about adding a few sprigs of foliage to add a wild touch.

      Natural Table Decor

      For an eco-chic dinner, why not to use the hessian to create placemats and coasters.

      Simply cut the fabric into rectangular shape for placemats and squares for coasters, at each corner pull out a top thread to create the frayed edge.

      Continue the natural theme with earthy-hue tableware, jars of flowers, loose foliage and scented candles for a rustic tablescape.

      Rustic Kitchenware

      Spruce up your kitchen cupboards and storage jars with hessian lid covers.

      Simple and easy to create, just cut out circle, 3-4 cm wider than the diameter of the jar lid, so there is enough fabric to cover the lid and a few centimetres of the side.

      The jars covers are also perfect if you have a gift that you want to add a little decorative touch to. 

      We've highlighted a few ideas to reuse our hessian flower wrap but we're sure you've got some innovative ideas to make use of the hessian before it reaches the compost bin..... we would love to hear from you? Please

      How Independent Retailers are setting the trend for recycling in business

      How Independent Retailers are setting the trend for recycling in business

      Concerns surrounding global warming are growing as the effects on our planet become more and more noticeable.

      Despite this, waste is increasing yearly and causing severe pollution in our environment - according to government statistics, the UK produced around 37.9 million tonnes of commercial waste in 2019 alone.

      To help reduce the carbon footprint of commercial waste, many businesses have adopted waste management practices that aim to improve recycling efforts and minimise waste.

      Effective waste management practices can help businesses save money, reduce harmful emissions, and meet their green energy targets.

      Below, we’re going to explore the different waste management processes that small businesses and independent retailers have adopted:

      Setting up a recycling scheme

      The first step to effective waste management is to create a recycling scheme that enables waste to be disposed of in a way that is responsible and sustainable.

      The environmental benefits of recycling are well-known, yet a recent study found that the majority of UK companies don’t have a recycling policy in place.

      A recycling policy allows businesses to review their environmental impact and identify ways to make their operations as sustainable as possible.

      As part of a recycling scheme, companies must identify what items can be recycled within their business.

      Fortunately, most common workplace items - including plastic, cardboard, glass, printer cartridges, and electrical equipment - can now be recycled.

      Once businesses are aware of what they can recycle, they need to determine how their waste will be stored and transported to recycling facilities.

      Many small and independent retailed choose to enter into a contract with a waste management company.

      These companies will typically collect waste from your business premises, then transport it to local recycling facilities, thus providing a convenient method of green waste disposal.

      Enforcing recycling policies

      For a recycling scheme to be effective, businesses must communicate green policies with their employees and educate them on the importance of adopting sustainable practices in the workplace.

      Employees play a crucial role in the success of business recycling schemes. For instance, if employees fail to properly separate items before placing them in recycling bins, then this could result in a whole batch of items being sent to landfill instead of being recycled.

      It is, therefore, essential that businesses get their staff on board with their recycling efforts and create a green culture in the workplace.

      Employers can help simplify the recycling process by storing recycling bins close to where the waste is produced and putting up signs reminding employees of the recycling policies.

      Companies can also invest in equipment like balers to save both time and money.

      Balers are innovative machines that compress recyclable materials like cardboard, paper, and plastic compactly. This allows these items to be stored and transported efficiently and means that employees don’t need to spend time manually flattening cardboard boxes.

      Minimising waste

      Another key way that small and independent retailers are reducing the carbon footprint of commercial waste, is by reducing the amount of waste produced in the first place.

      In particular, many companies going paperless to minimise waste.

      Switching to digital processes is now quick, easy, and is a highly effective way for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.

      In addition to the environmental benefits, going paperless can also save companies significant amounts of money on office supplies and ensure that valuable data is stored securely.

      Some companies are further reducing their environmental impact by minimising packaging or eliminating it completely.

      Fortunately, there are many simple ways for businesses to reduce waste and minimise environmental harm - here are a few ideas:

      Complete a waste management audit to assess what waste is being produced.

      This helps businesses identify ways to reduce waste and avoid unnecessary waste i.e. duplicate invoices and documents.

      Reduce packaging and try to reuse materials like boxes and wrapping whenever possible. Also, opt for packaging that can be recycled easily.

      Purchase products that can be reused or recycled and avoid anything disposable. For example, companies should buy refillable pens and encourage staff to avoid using plastic water bottles.

      Supporting Local Economies

      There are many advantages to shopping at small and independent retailers, the main being that they give back to the local economy – according to Small Business, '£10 spent at a local independent shop means up to an additional £50 goes back into the local economy.’

      This is due to the fact money is circulated more this way, as what you gave spent in an independent business is then often spent in restaurants and other local amenities.

      By helping your community grow, you are contributing towards a healthier economy.

      The most important reason why independent retailers benefit the economy is because usually, independent retailers startup because they would like the ability to make a difference.

      Many small businesses today support disadvantage areas and sustainability – research shows that 66% of independent and small businesses give to local charities.

      This suggests that independent retailers are fighting for causes that affect our planet – including climate change and waste production.

      Final thoughts

      Adopting effective waste management policies offers many benefits to businesses.

      This includes reducing harmful emissions and helping companies to reach their environmental targets.

      Many small and independent retailers are taking advantage of green practices as a way to save money and gain a competitive edge in the modern business world.

      Consumers are increasingly becoming eco-conscious and searching for ways to reduce their carbon footprint by supporting green, sustainable businesses.

      All companies should be taking responsibility for their waste by adopting green waste management policies like those discussed above.