Rethinking the Rose
The Hidden Cost of the "Valentine" Rose
When we think of romance or a birthday flowers, the classic long-stemmed rose is often the first thing that comes to mind. Most roses sold in New York City are not grown anywhere near the Hudson Valley. In fact, the vast majority are flown in from Ecuador or Colombia. At A Sustainable Village, we believe in looking behind the petals. Just like the hidden plastic in our cleaning supplies, the commercial flower industry has a footprint that is often anything but green.
So why are roses bad for the environment?
- High Carbon "Flower Miles": Because flowers are highly perishable, they cannot sit on a slow boat. They are transported in refrigerated holds of airplanes and then moved into refrigerated trucks. The carbon emissions required to keep a rose "fresh" from South America to a Manhattan bodega are staggering.
- Pesticide Use: In many countries where roses are mass-produced, environmental regulations are far less stringent than in the U.S. Roses are often treated with heavy pesticides and fungicides to ensure they look "perfect" upon arrival. These chemicals are harmful to the workers who handle them and the soil they are grown in, not to mention the forrest sacrificed to flower farm.
- Excessive Packaging: Imported flowers are wrapped in layers of plastic sleeves, rubber bands, and cardboard to survive the thousands of miles of travel—most of which goes straight into the trash the moment the bouquet is put in a vase.
Finding a gift that feels special without contributing to the destruction of the planet can be a challenge. Here are several sustainable gift ideas to consider for your special someone.
- The "Slow Flower" Bouquet: Instead of imported roses, gift a bunch of seasonal, locally grown flowers. Visit NYC Greenmarkets for sustainable, fresh, local flowers and plants. Where can I buy sustainable flowers? We love Moonshot Farm's stand at Union Square Greenmarket, there every Friday.
- "The Refillable" Personal Care Set: Help a love one transition their morning routine to something more sustainable. A beautiful glass amber bottle filled with local artisan hand soap, a safety razor (the last razor they'll ever need), and shampoo/conditioner bars. These gifts eliminate "bathroom clutter" and saves hundreds of plastic bottles over time.
- The Kitchen Zero-Waste Starter Kit: Perfect for someone moving into a new NYC apartment or looking to ditch single-use plastics. A set of beeswax wraps (to replace plastic wrap), a solid dish soap bar, and a high-quality bamboo dish brush. These every day items significantly reduce household waste.
- Experience-Based Gifts: The most sustainable gift is often the one that doesn't require a physical product at all. A membership to the New York Botanical Garden, a gift card for a dance class, or tickets to a broadway show. These gifts are zero waste, zero footprint, and memories that last longer than a physical object.
Every choice we make is an opportunity to vote for the planet.
