5 reasons to not buy her flowers

By Olivia Preston

We know the obligation to buy a significant other, a relative or a friend a bouquet for any of the flower-giving events in the British calendar. While daffodils can brighten up a room in the advent of springtime, did you know that these blooms may not be as rosy as they seem?

Dying flowers sitting sadly in green vas. Credit: Earl Wilcox on Unsplash

In 2019, the market for cut-flowers and ornamental plants was worth £1.3 billion, according to government statistics. Despite this, the industry has an abundance of environmental issues. At X Magazine, we have the perfect excuses for not buying flowers.

Pesticides

As flowers are not edible crops, they are exempt from regulations on pesticide use. Chemicals sprayed on flowers pollute the air and secrete into soils.

Bouquet of daisies in low light. Credit: Rogue Lin on Unsplash

Carbon emissions

90% of UK flowers are imported. The vast majority come via the Netherlands. To get to your supermarket or front door, flowers travel hundreds of miles in refrigerated trucks that burn more fuel than normal lorries and release a greater amount of carbon dioxide.

Low wages

Due to changes to climatic conditions, Colombia, Ecuador and Ethiopia are the world’s greatest flower producers as they can provide year-round production with low labour costs. Cheap labour in developing countries goes hand-in-hand with poor working conditions and reduced employment rights.

Field of pink, white and red flowers. Credit: Renee Fisher on Unsplash

Waste

Expensive arrangements often have flowers individually wrapped to ensure they arrive in pristine condition -meaning excessive single-use plastic waste, not to mention bubble wrap, tissue paper and cellophane.

Water use

Virtual water (the hidden flow of water in products) is being exported through international trade from the most water-stressed countries. Flowers account for 45% of Kenya’s virtual water exports.