Social Responsibility
We have recently earned The Mayor Good Work Standard which means we have reached an excellent standard in fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression, diversity and recruitment. One of our favourite initiatives is our Summer Hours scheme; last August we reduced our working hours from 10:00 to 16:30 which allowed employees to catch up and spend time with loved ones or expand hobbies that they enjoy.
Green Waste
Veevers Carter has been recycling our waste for over 10 years. 85% of our waste is green waste which is 100% compostable. Other by-products such as chicken wire and plastic pots are stored carefully and are re-used over and over. In venues where floral foam is legally required we use bio floral foam and reuse our foam wherever possible. We actively engage and encourage a dialogue about floral foam within the venues we work in and hope we show the benefits of using environmentally friendly techniques.
Single Use
Veevers Carter endeavours to use each floral product more than once. We re-cut and reuse foliage and plants where possible. We hand-dry blooms, grasses and leaves to weave into future arrangements and we are the largest supplier of silk flowers in London, many of our flowers are over 15 years and when mixed with faux can reduce cut flower impact.
A Second Chance to Bloom
Flowers that return from events are given a Second Chance to Bloom by being repurposed into posies and arrangements for Royal Trinity Hospice and Age UK. We encourage our colleagues to bring in unwanted jars and tins so we can also deliver our florals in recyclable vases and vessels.
Healthy plants are re-planted into our Bermondsey cutting garden or donated to our neighbours in Galleywall Road Nature Reserve.
Best Practise, Research and Development
At Veevers Carter we are trying wherever possible to use the most eco-conscious methods and equipment to construct our florals. Once a month we hold a sustainability workshop where we discuss and test new and innovative sustainable floristry techniques and how this these might translate to working with and in historic buildings and cultural institutions.