As a small business owner, energy is likely to be one of your biggest costs, but it is now possible to generate some, if not all of your own electricity. While there are a number of ways to generate your own renewable energy, not all of them will be practical for your business, depending on the space you have available, your budget and your energy consumption. Ways to Generate Your Own Electricity 1. Solar Panels A popular and suitable option for small retail or business prem

As more businesses commit to reducing their carbon footprint, renewable energy has become a priority for many business owners. However, the rapid growth of the sustainability market has also given rise to greenwashing, where suppliers overstate or misrepresent the environmental benefits of their products and services. For business owners keen to move to a green energy supplier, this can make it difficult to identify genuine renewable suppliers. How to Verify a Supplier’s Gree

As we approach peak growing season, growers across the UK are rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into a full-on season of beautiful British blooms. During May there are still some delicate, late spring, early summer gems to enjoy before blousy, colourful summer flowers arrive to dominate the market. Polygonatum multiflorum Common Name: Solomon’s seal An unusual flowering perennial and a charming cut flower which prefers damp, shady conditions. Hardy, it will gr

One of the few climbing garden plants to migrate successfully into the cut flower market, trailing Clematis with its simple, open petals, wiry stems and elegant leaves is now an essential summer flower. Used extensively in bridal work, competitions and installations, the range of colours and longevity of Clematis is constantly expanding and being improved. It all started in 2006 when Dutch growers Marginpar developed Clematis ‘Blue Pirouette’ which was at the time, the only C

With our partner farm in Zimbabwe recently obtaining its final certification, all Marginpar flowers now meet the requirements of the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI). This means that every stem we grow, at our own farms and at our partner farms, comes from a place that's certified according to internationally recognised environmental and social standards. What is FSI? The Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) is a global sector initiative that aims to make

With rising awareness of climate responsibilities, shifting customer expectations and growing pressure to reduce emissions, choosing a renewable energy supplier has become both a strategic and ethical decision. Switching to a green tariff not only helps businesses reduce their environmental impact but it can also enhance brand reputation and provide long‑term cost stability. How Green Energy is Defined A mechanism called REGO (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin) is used to

Small businesses have a significant role to play in building a more sustainable future, and using energy wisely is one of the most obvious places to start. By making a few smart changes, whether that’s upgrading to efficient equipment, changing everyday habits, or exploring renewable options, businesses can cut costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and contribute to a healthier planet. Sustainable energy use isn’t just good for the environment; it’s good for business, too.

Last Tuesday I spent the morning in a compost heap, not necessarily on my bucket list for 2026 but fascinating nonetheless. Along with some of their first ever florist customers, I was invited by Com-post to tour one of their commercial composting sites. Com-post are Hannah (florist) and Fiona (business dynamo) and they were one of the five finalists at the inaugural Sustainable Floristry Innovation Awards at the 2023 Interflora Word Cup. They had a simple but brilliant ide

If you’re looking for the creative inspiration and technical expertise to take your wedding floristry to the next level, then put this date in your diary. 4‑Day Wedding Floral Workshop: 8th – 11th June 2026 Led by internationally acclaimed floral designers Max van der Sluis, Per Benjamin and Vincenzo Antonuccio, this four-day training programme offers expert tuition and the insider knowledge to craft high quality wedding bouquets, centrepieces and installations with confide

In February the Church of England Synod passed the Diocesan Synod Motion introduced by the Diocese of Worcester, encouraging churches and cathedrals to consider creating floral arrangements without floral foam and using UK-grown flowers and foliage. It caused a wave of anxiety amongst florists thinking that there was going to be a full ban that would extend to all of us. Luckily this motion does not introduce full bans or rules and is very much for guidance, and is advisory

Internal carbon pricing is quite a complicated concept and one which currently seems most relevant to large businesses and organisations rather than small businesses. However, it’s still important for small business owners to be aware of this aspect of sustainable operations and to have a basic understanding of its purpose and implementation. Internal carbon pricing is where a business places a monetary value on each tonne of carbon emissions it produces Calculating internal

Finding ways to make your business more sustainable can be difficult and complicated but committing to measuring and reducing your energy consumption is thankfully straightforward to implement. There are some significant benefits to sustainable energy use, from both a cost and environmental perspective: · Cost Savings: Implementing low or no-cost energy efficiency measures (e.g., LED lighting, smart timers, draught-proofing) can reduce energy bills by up to 25%. Increased Pr