New Sustainability Resources for Lighting, Retail Planning, and Water Conservation
Sustainabloom has recently released the following sustainability-focused resources for professionals in the floriculture industry:
New SustainaGuides on Lighting and Water Conservation Now Available
Three new guides have been added to the growing lineup of resources provided by Sustainabloom to help simplify the area of floriculture sustainability and support industry members in adopting practical, research-based solutions.
The new Lighting and Water Conservation guides join an extensive collection of SustainaGuides available through the Sustainabloom website, developed by the American Floral Endowment (AFE). These new additions continue Sustainabloom’s mission to make sustainability approachable for all segments of the floral industry through clear, data-driven insights and actionable strategies.
Lighting Guide for Growers & Suppliers
Lighting Guide for Growers and Suppliers. | Sustainabloom, American Floral Endowment (AFE)
Lighting plays a key role in both plant production and workplace functionality. Sustainabloom’s Lighting guide explores how greenhouse and facility lighting can be optimized to improve plant growth, employee well-being, and energy efficiency. The guide includes expert insights on sustainable lighting design, daylighting opportunities, and cost-effective upgrades to newer technologies. It offers practical steps for assessing current lighting systems, improving control options, and balancing environmental and economic factors.
Water Conservation Guides for Growers & Retailers
Water Conservation Guide for Retailers. | Sustainabloom, American Floral Endowment (AFE)
Water conservation is a critical sustainability issue that impacts every part of the floriculture industry. These new guides provide tailored approaches for both growers and retailers to reduce water waste, protect local resources, and strengthen long-term business resilience. The guide for growers focuses on efficient irrigation practices, water recycling, and system maintenance to reduce input costs while maintaining crop quality. The guide for retailers provides tips for minimizing water use in design and display, extending flower life, and engaging consumers in sustainability. Both versions outline practical steps for assessing usage and implementing simple conservation measures that can make a measurable difference.
New Sustainability Planning Template for Retail Florists
Sustainabloom has released a brand-new free resource to help floral retailers take actionable, measurable steps toward sustainability. The Sustainability Planning Template for Retail Florists is designed to make sustainability planning approachable for businesses of all sizes: helping users assess where they are today, identify opportunities for improvement, and create a trackable plan to move forward.
Developed in collaboration with leading floral businesses and industry experts, the template reflects both scientific insights and real-world applications. It was created to meet florists where they are, recognizing that every business’s path toward sustainability looks a little different.
Sustainability Planning Guide for Retail Florists. | Sustainabloom, American Floral Endowment (AFE)
Based on an industry-wide survey published earlier this year by the Sustainabloom team, sustainability planning was identified as an emerging practice in floriculture businesses.
“Many businesses want to be more sustainable but don’t know where to start,” says Kevin McCarthy, President and CEO of Family Flowers. “This new template changes that. It gives florists a clear, practical roadmap that’s flexible enough to fit their needs and powerful enough to inspire meaningful change.”
The Sustainability Planning Template encourages users to evaluate their current practices through a simple five-part framework known as FLOWS – covering Flowers, Location, Operations, Waste, and Supply Chain. It guides users in setting realistic goals, tracking progress, and celebrating achievements over time.
More than just a checklist, the template is an invitation to turn good intentions into measurable results. Florists can document their sustainability commitments, identify growth areas, and follow a suggested six-month timeline that supports continuous improvement, from planning and implementation to reflection and adjustment.
“The template was built with input from across the floral community. We listened to florists, gathered feedback from experts, and tested ideas with a real shop,” says Amanda Solliday, Lead Project Researcher from North Carolina State University. “The result is a living tool: one that grows with the industry and helps every business make progress at its own pace.”
The new resource is part of Sustainabloom’s growing suite of free educational tools that make sustainability attainable and rewarding for every segment of the floriculture industry. Future versions of the Sustainability Planning Template are already in development and will be tailored for additional industry segments.
Additional sustainability-focused industry guides, news, and resources can be found free of charge on the Sustainabloom website, thanks to its support from the floral community.
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