Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, July 31, 2023
It is the last day of July and the last mention of Plastic Free July, the global movement helping people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. We turn the spotlight on a floral business in Hamilton, that is trying to do things differently, by using their creativity and innovation to keep rubbish from landfill.
Despite outwardly appearing green and natural, their industry usually generates a lot of waste. But the Hamilton-based Wild River and Co boutique floral studio and owners Erin Connolly and Zahida M’Raiagh have been blooming in their sustainability efforts to send less waste to landfill. They said it felt natural to bring those values into their business.
“We care about the planet and think it is important to do our bit to preserve it. A lot of what we source comes from nature. We want to look after that environment so we can continue to provide a natural product and maintain as much beauty as we can,” said Ms Connolly.
Never say waste
Fresh flowers that do not get sold, or have passed their fresh point, are usually hung in the store and used in dried arrangements they make themselves. Fresh flower offcuts are separated from general waste for composting.
They source recycled paper to wrap bouquets and reuse large tins, donated by customers and local schools, for floral arrangements.
“If you have a surplus of tins around the home, we will definitely make use of them,” she said.
When in season, the women purchase locally from growers in the Waikato. “Everything comes in a bucket, with no plastic packaging. We return the bucket for new blooms and keep that going for as long as the season allows. “We are always looking for new and inventive ways to reduce waste and become more sustainable.”
Even scrap paper is saved and used as packing to protect couriered items. When It’s noticed, with many customers returning because of the efforts they make to create a green space.
“Customers appreciate us doing our bit to function more sustainably, especially with the tins and how we use them. That’s something we have been doing since we started five years ago and will continue to do,” said Ms Connolly.
“We are really proud of what we have done so far to grow and change, and be more sustainable within the floristry industry, and will continue in those efforts to help fight the landfill.”
Even outside of their floristry business, Ms Connolly and Ms M’Raiagh aim to live sustainably from using reusable cups and containers to actively generating less rubbish at home.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
