Omaha's Guide to Sustainable Floristry 

Sustainability in floristry goes beyond beautiful arrangements—it’s about honoring the planet while creating lasting impressions. Holly Lukasiewicz, founder of District 2 Floral Studio, has proven that with the right practices, floristry can be both stunning and sustainable. Here’s how you can follow her eco-friendly approach to make a difference in your work and community.

1. Source Locally and Seasonally

  • Support local farmers by prioritizing flowers grown nearby. This reduces your carbon footprint and supports local farming.

  • Partner with local farm collectives like Flatland Floral Collective to access seasonal, locally grown flora.

  • For off-seasons, use dried flora or flowers sourced from domestic growers. Look for certifications like:

    • Certified American Grown to ensure ethical domestic sourcing.

    • Rainforest Alliance Certified for international growers prioritizing sustainable and fair labor practices.

  • Build relationships with local farmers and wholesale suppliers to ensure transparency in growing conditions.

Why It Matters: Locally grown flowers minimize the environmental toll of transportation and refrigeration while supporting local economies.

2. Skip Floral Foam

  • Avoid single-use floral foam, which breaks down into microplastics harmful to ecosystems.

  • Embrace natural alternatives like chicken wire, moss, Oshun Pouch, Agra Wool, or bio-based PHOAM. These are reusable, commercially compostable and safer for the environment.

Why It Matters: By skipping foam, you reduce non-compostable biodegradable waste while adopting innovative techniques for sustainable design.

3. Compost Floral Waste

  • Create a composting system to dispose of stems, foliage, and floral scraps.

  • Collaborate with local commercial composting services like Hillside Solutions Compost Club or OmaGrow to turn waste into nutrient-rich compost.

  • Avoid using flowers treated with dyes, glitter, or bleach, as they cannot be composted.

Why It Matters: Composting transforms floral waste into a resource that supports soil health, local farming and reduces landfill impact.

4. Reduce Packaging Waste

  • Use biodegradable materials like paper wraps, plant-dyed ribbons, and natural fiber ties.

  • Reuse rubber bands, flower boxes, and plastic wraps wherever possible.

  • Recycle materials that can’t be reused through municipal recycling programs or ReNew orange bags for hard-to-recycle plastics.

  • Skip single-use plastics like floral picks, synthetic ribbons, and balloons.

Why It Matters: Reducing and reusing packaging minimizes landfill waste and your environmental footprint and sets a positive example for clients.

5. Educate Your Clients

  • Include an ingredient list with each arrangement to show transparency about flower sourcing and inspire thoughtful purchasing.

  • Share your sustainable practices on your website, social media platforms, and through workshops.

Why It Matters: Educating clients empowers them to make eco-conscious decisions and supports the shift toward sustainability in the industry.

6. Reuse Post-Event Florals

  • Partner with organizations like Second Chance Bouquets to give event florals a second life.

  • Offer clients creative reuse options, such as repurposing arrangements or preserving flowers.

Why It Matters: Reusing flowers reduces waste and adds meaning to arrangements, extending their beauty and purpose.

7. Set Up a Waste Management System

Establish a system to handle waste in an organized, eco-friendly way:

  • Compost Bin: For stems and foliage that can be composted.

  • Reuse Bin: For materials like paper wraps, plastic bags, and rubber bands.

  • Recycle Bin: For items accepted in municipal recycling programs.

  • ReNew Bag: For soft, hard-to-recycle plastics like torn bouquet wraps.

  • Landfill Bin: Reserve for non-recyclable items only.

Why It Matters: A clear waste management system reduces landfill contributions and ensures materials are reused or repurposed effectively.

8. Join Sustainable Communities

Why It Matters: Collaboration and education are key to driving change and staying motivated in your sustainability journey.

9. Stay Inspired with Resources

  • Books to Read:

    • “Flower Confidential” by Amy Stewart – A deep dive into the global floral industry.

    • “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer – A reflection on our relationship with nature.

  • Courses to Take:

Why It Matters: Continued learning helps you stay informed and inspired, enabling you to lead by example in your industry.

10. Embrace Progress Over Perfection

Sustainability is a journey. Start with small, manageable changes and build from there. Holly’s mantra reminds us: “Every little step makes an impact.”

By adopting these practices, florists can reduce landfill waste, support local farmers, and offer clients exquisite designs while advocating for nature’s well-being.

Samantha Nieman