No watering, a longer lifespan, great value for money and they brighten a room. Dried flowers have been having a resurgence as a popular option over fresh-cut flowers, particularly for those looking for a more sustainable option. But are dried flowers actually more sustainable? That depends.
While they might look the same, dried flowers and preserved flowers are very different and unfortunately, in terms of sustainability, they’re not at all alike. The difference is in how the flowers are prepared.
What’s the difference between dried and preserved flowers?
Naturally dried flowers are exactly that, flowers hung to dry naturally. The process requires no dyes, no chemical bleaches and the result is a dried flower with a shelf life of roughly a year. After that, they can be safely disposed of via your compost or green waste.
Preserved flowers are quite different. A fresh flower is typically bleached to strip it of natural colour, soaked in chemical treatments to prevent yellowing, chemically treated again to remove the harsh chemical scent and treated with glycerine or a similar chemical, to give them a bit of suppleness as the bleaching process can make them brittle. Artificial dyes are then used to give them back their colour. Some dried flowers have plastic coatings for longer use. The end result has a shelf life of a few years before it heads to landfill. Not natural at all.
Adding to the confusion, sometimes you’ll find both types arranged together in the same bouquet. But not at Botany.
Are dried flowers an eco-friendly alternative to fresh flowers?
The answer is yes and no, depending on which of the above you choose.
From an environmental impact standpoint, naturally dried flowers have many benefits. Dried flowers ‘live’ longer than fresh ones, which means there’s less waste in the floral industry as a whole in terms of wilting, spoilage and damage. Also with the moisture removed, dried flowers are lighter to transport, reducing the energy needed to move them and lowering the impact of transport emissions.
Once purchased, dried flowers are replaced less often than fresh, and once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan, they can be repurposed for things like decorative paper and other crafty products. Longer lifespan means you can enjoy flowers past their natural season, and always have your favourite flowers blooming in your home.
How to choose locally-sourced, ethical dried flowers?
Locally sourced and ethically produced dried flowers are available. Botany uses locally grown and seasonal flowers for our dried bouquets, bunches and stems. They’re dried naturally, in-house, ensuring you receive a beautiful and ethically-produced product you can feel good about giving (or keeping).It’s important to ask questions and look for suppliers or florists who transparently provide information about how their dried flowers are grown and processed. Local and small-scale producers are typically more likely to follow sustainable and ethical practices over mass producers and you get the added benefit of supporting a local business.
What to do with dried flowers.
In addition to being used for all kinds of crafty endeavours, dried flowers make gorgeous wreaths, add a bit of beauty and interest to pressed paper and make a great addition to bath products like soaps, soaks and scrubs.
Once you’re finished with dried flowers, they can be safely disposed of in your home compost or included in your green waste bin.
How to dry flowers and keep their colour.
There are a few easy and eco-friendly ways to dry your flowers naturally while still retaining their natural colour. You can learn more about this process over on our blog.
Dried flowers can certainly be a more sustainable alternative to fresh flowers, but be mindful of what you’re buying and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
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