Sustainability at Bituin
Sustainability is a core part of our floral practice. Below is an outline of our sustainability strategy that we aim bring to all aspects of our business.
OUR VISION
Create positive change in all life’s big and little moments, through flowers and floristry.
OUR MISSION
To create and leave a positive impact through flowers. We aim to leave a positive impact on you, your loved ones, the environment and our community through the flowers that we work with and the floral arrangements we design and deliver across Melbourne.
OUR VALUES
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Positive Choices
Our core ethos revolves around making positive choices at every step of our floristry journey. We conscientiously consider the environmental, social, and economic implications of our actions. Through sustainable practices, we aspire to create a ripple effect of positivity that extends far beyond our beautiful floral creations.
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Quality
We are dedicated to infusing intention, creativity and quality is evident in every flower arrangement we design. We always aim to design and create flower arrangements that not only meet but exceed customer expectations. With sustainability at our core, we ensure that every creation contributes to a positive experience.
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Collaboration
We believe in the power of collaboration. By working closely and harmoniously with our clients, we breathe life into their vision to develop and craft stunning flower arrangements to create unforgettable memories.
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Continuous Learning
We are passionate about growth and improvement. Guided by an insatiable curiosity, we are always looking to be receptive to change and committed to constantly deepening our knowledge of floristry and sustainability. We embrace innovative techniques and emerging trends to constantly enhance our practices.
Current Sustainability Initiatives and Targets
We believe in the power of consistent actions, no matter how small, to bring about significant change. That's why we've established ambitious sustainability initiatives and targets for both our daily flower deliveries and our weddings and events. Our objectives are grounded in our values with a respect for our environment and community in Melbourne and its surrounds. Below, you'll find details on our current initiatives and targets, along with the reasons driving our efforts.
Daily, Subscription and Corporate Flower Deliveries across Melbourne
Continuously Improve Supply Chain
Initiative: Continuously improve our supply chain by requesting information from our suppliers about the sourcing of their materials to ensure we are sourcing materials that are recyclable, compostable, biodegradable or can be diverted from landfill. For instance, we proudly source our printed tissue from NoIssue Co and are part of the Eco-alliance on sustainable packaging. We prioritise the use of 100% recycled paper, and when that's not available, we ensure our paper comes from sustainably managed forests with certifications from FSC or PEFC.
- Target: Maintain 100% plastic free bouquets for daily deliveries.
Educating Clients and Customers
Initiative: Educate and encourage our customers on how they can support the environment. For example, both online and in all our arrangements, we provide information on how to properly dispose of all components, from the wrapping to the flowers, so they can be diverted from landfill.
- Target: Continue to make education a central part of our marketing strategy, particularly on our social channels, where we share information on our sustainable practices and why they matter.
Using Seasonal Flowers
Initiative: Follow the seasons with our designs to showcase the splendour of nature, promoting and sourcing the use of seasonal and local flowers. For example, our monthly newsletter features a flower of the month to encourage the seasonal use of flowers.
- Target: By 2024, ensure that 100% of our daily flower delivery offerings are made from flowers and foliage locally grown in Australia.
Gifts that Support Local Businesses
Initiative: All gifts that can be sent with flowers, but are not made by Bituin, come from local small businesses in Australia that share our values to support local economy. As part of engaging with other businesses, we review their values to ensure they align with ours.
- Target: Continue to establish partnerships with local Australian businesses to offer gifts from small, local enterprises, thereby supporting the local economy.
Addressing Delivery Carbon Footprint
Initiative: Reducing our carbon footprint by offsetting our carbon emissions through Greenfleet for unavoidable emissions due to the deliveries we make. With every delivery, our customers contribute to the restoration of Australian and New Zealand forests. Greenfleet is a leading environmental non-profit organisation and Australia’s most trusted source of biodiverse carbon offsets for practical climate action.
- Target: Explore and develop direct relationships with organizations focused on restoring environments and ecosystems.
- Target: Continue to offset delivery emissions while actively seeking more ways to have a net positive impact.
Weddings and Events across Melbourne and its surrounds
100% Foam Free
Initiative: We are proudly 100% floral foam-free. Instead, we embrace alternatives that align with our planet-friendly values. Our designs come to life using eco-friendly mechanics that are either compostable or repurposable. We take a stand against harmful elements and design with compassion for both nature and you.
- Target: Maintain our commitment to being 100% floral foam-free in all events, as floral foam is made of toxic and single-use plastic.
- Target: Continuously learn and develop creative solutions for installations that are waste-free, ultimately eliminating all plastic usage.
Reducing Waste Output
- Initiative: We avoid single-use plastics whenever possible to reduce our use of this problematic material. We want to be transparent and acknowledge we currently still do use some plastic items, however rest assured that when we do, it's a conscious choice with the intention to reuse them. We believe every small step counts towards sustainability.
- Target: Ensure that any plastic used is either reused or disposed of appropriately.
- Target: Explore and implement creative ways to display floral installations without the use of plastic.
Avoiding Single-Use Plastic
Initiative: We avoid single-use plastics whenever possible to reduce our use of this problematic material. We want to be transparent and acknowledge we currently still do use some plastic items, however rest assured that when we do, it's a conscious choice with the intention to reuse them. We believe every small step counts towards sustainability.
- Target: Ensure that any plastic used is either reused or disposed of appropriately.
- Target: Explore and implement creative ways to display floral installations without the use of plastic.
Prioritising Seasonal Flowers
Initiative: We prioritise the use of seasonal flowers for events to support local growers and ensure the flowers are at their most beautiful. There are some cases where imported flowers are used to meet design briefs, where it is not possible to do so using locally grown flowers.
- Target: Ensure that seasonal flowers make up the majority of flowers used in events, aiming for at least 80% of the total stems used to be locally grown.
Following the seasons with our designs to showcase the splendour of nature.
Background / Why Sustainability is important to Bituin
Hello there!
I'm Lana, the founder of Bituin. I'd like to share a bit about my background and why sustainability is crucial to me and Bituin.
I’m passionate about understanding my impacts to the environment and how I can contribute to a sustainable community.
Before launching Bituin, I served as a Sustainability and Technology consultant at a large organization. This role provided valuable insights into the intersections of sustainability, business continuity, and technology, including associated risks and opportunities. My educational journey, including a Master's in Chemical Engineering and a Diploma in Sustainable Living, further enriched my understanding of diverse sustainable approaches.
All these experiences have shown me that businesses can make a profound impact. I'm eager to develop Bituin's sustainability and environmental initiatives, raising awareness about sustainability and climate change locally and globally. My goal is to demystify sustainability and continue educating myself and others.
On this page, I've outlined our sustainability vision and mission. Sustainability is an ongoing journey, and I'll update it with new initiatives and targets as we explore sustainability in floristry. If you have questions or want to connect, please reach out.
I look forward to connecting with you.
Thank you,
Lana
Positively, Sustainably.
Bituin is a Melbourne-based Studio Florist providing florals for weddings, events and daily deliveries. We focus on creative and sustainable design, with a hope that we can make an impact not only to you and your loved ones but also to the world.