Expert Advice on Making Sustainability Part of Your Business Reality

By American Floral Endowment|June 6, 2023

Sustainability isn’t just water conservation or recycling; it can be much more, such as investing or creating culture-first leadership. These were among the many insights shared by Dr. Melinda Knuth, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at North Carolina State University (NC State), who recently spoke at the 2023 Floriexpo Convention in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Dr. Knuth is co-leading the American Floral Endowment’s floriculture sustainability project with NC State’s Dr. Brian Jackson.

“Some of these practices may be familiar or have existed for some time but have new products that are reinvigorating the category. Some practices are completely new ideas that have come about in the last year,” Dr. Knuth says.

During an education session at the business-to-business floral show, Dr. Knuth shared some of the latest sustainability trends in floriculture, including:

New materials for floral sleeves, such as plastic alternatives and biodegradable options
Biodegradable hydration packs, which keep cut flowers fresh while minimizing waste
Ozone sanitation, a way to manage disease without chemical application
Alternative fuel sources, such as biogas, which utilizes farm waste to produce an energy source
Water conservation by planning water flows throughout a property with permeable surfaces and recycling
Carbon accounting to track greenhouse gas emissions and potentially earn carbon credits
ESG investing, a way to attract investors who prioritize sustainable business practices.

Dr. Knuth’s goal was to give businesses one new piece of sustainability information that they can incorporate into their business. Small incremental changes can be long-lasting and impactful.

You can help identify key sustainability practices and opportunities in floriculture. The American Floral Endowment (AFE)’s Sustainability Project aims to provide education and resources to the floral industry and make sustainability an accessible initiative for all segments of the industry. To complement these current efforts, AFE is looking for sustainability officers and related staff working in floriculture who are willing to share information about their company’s ongoing programs. This could include efforts in composting, pot recycling, alternative substrates and recycling, carbon footprinting, nutrient use, lighting sources, integrated pest management, water conservation, and other areas.