Our Sustainability Policy

Sustainability Report

Commitment to Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Cora and Flora. Every business decision, from sourcing flowers to designing arrangements, is made with care for people, planet, and the long-term health of the natural world.

We design completely foam-free arrangements, using only sustainable floral mechanics and natural materials, and we source exclusively from British-grown flowers. Our local-first approach ensures designs are beautiful, responsible, and thoughtful.

This policy is reviewed annually to track progress, reflect improvements, and set meaningful goals for the year ahead.

Local & Responsible Flower Sourcing

  • We celebrate the British growing season, using what is natural and appropriate at each time of year.

  • Between May and September, approximately 90% of flowers are sourced from within a 100-mile radius of the studio, primarily from our trusted local growers.

  • Outside these months, some stems may come from further afield within the UK. Imported flowers are extremely rare and used only when no British alternative exists.

  • Seasonal and local sourcing reduces air miles, supports local horticulture, and celebrates the natural rhythm of the UK growing season.

Foam-Free & Natural Materials in Design

  • We never use floral foam. All arrangements are built using sustainable floral mechanics, including:

    • Chicken wire

    • Moss (ethically sourced)

    • Twigs and natural structures

    • Reusable pin holders

    • Water-based vessel arrangements

    • Compostable pouches for temporary elements

  • Every vessel, container, and accessory is cleaned, stored, and reused. Nothing is thrown away unless broken and irreparable. This ensures materials retain value and purpose across multiple projects.

Composting & Circular Practices

  • All foliage and flower offcuts are collected and added to our compost heap.

  • Mulched material is gradually returned to our garden, providing nutrients for future flowers.

  • This regenerative approach ensures every stem has a lasting purpose beyond its initial design.

Packaging & Materials

  • We use primarily paper-based packaging and compostable pouches, avoiding plastic wherever possible.

  • Reusable vessels and materials are standard in all arrangements.

  • Every choice reflects our commitment to sustainable decision-making in all aspects of the business.

Water Management & Reduction

  • Water is carefully monitored and conserved during flower conditioning.

  • Water-saving strategies include:

    • Reusing bucket water for subsequent conditioning or garden watering

    • Collecting rainwater to supplement fresh water

    • Designing arrangements with mechanics (chicken wire, moss, structures) that require less water

Tracking and reusing water ensures flower health while conserving resources.

Transport & Logistics

  • Flowers are transported in a mild hybrid vehicle to reduce emissions.

  • Online meetings reduce travel and carbon emissions.

  • Invoices and proposals are sent electronically to avoid printing.

  • Routes are planned to group deliveries and installations efficiently, minimising travel and fuel use.

Requirements

Cora and Flora will continue to:

  1. Integrate sustainability considerations into all business decisions, from sourcing flowers to designing arrangements.

  2. Work wherever possible with suppliers and partners who share our sustainability values.

  3. Ensure all products, materials, and services are responsibly and ethically sourced.

  4. Comply with, and exceed where practicable, all relevant legislation and industry guidance on environmental impact, waste management, and safety.

  5. Encourage any collaborators or helpers to be advocates of sustainable practices in all aspects of their work.

Practical Steps

To ensure these commitments are met, we will:

  1. Review our sustainability practices annually to assess progress and identify improvements.

  2. Verify that all suppliers and partner businesses uphold appropriate sustainability measures.

  3. Communicate our sustainability approach to clients, encouraging responsible practices.

  4. Track progress on local sourcing, reusable materials, composting, and packaging choices.

  5. Ensure all studio processes reflect our sustainability ethos and that any team members understand and implement the policy.

Goals for the Year Ahead

  1. Maintain at least 90% local sourcing between May and September, with clear transparency about sourcing outside this period.

  2. Develop further techniques using natural, reusable materials to reduce single-use items.

  3. Expand water-saving practices through reuse, rainwater harvesting, and efficient conditioning.

  4. Maintain a fully circular approach to foliage and flower byproducts through composting and mulching.

  5. Minimise energy, packaging, and material use in every design and studio process.

  6. Continue annual review of all sustainability practices to ensure ongoing accountability and improvement.

Carbon Footprint & Mitigation

Our estimated annual operational carbon footprint is approximately 1.6 tonnes CO₂e. This figure is calculated using UK government emissions factors and includes business vehicle mileage, seasonal workshop electricity use, flower sourcing, materials, and waste.

The majority of emissions arise from necessary transport. Electricity use, materials, and waste remain comparatively low due to our local sourcing, foam-free design approach, reuse systems, and composting practices.

To mitigate our impact, we are planting trees on the land where are workshop is. This supports long-term carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and habitat restoration within our immediate environment. As the business grows, we will continue to review and expand our carbon reduction and mitigation measures.

Review & Accountability

This sustainability policy is reviewed annually to ensure it remains practical, up-to-date. 

Next review due: 1st January 2027

Created by Cora Marsh, 2026