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Sustainability

At Heemskerk Flowers, we are committed to building a sustainable future. Sustainability is an ongoing process where we continuously take steps to improve our impact on the environment. We are happy to share the initiatives and projects that contribute to a better world.

An Environmentally Friendly Floriculture Sector

Sustainability is about finding the right balance between people, planet, profit, and prosperity. By creating a more environmentally friendly and transparent floriculture sector, we ensure the earth is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Together with partners in the floriculture supply chain, we aim to strengthen the sector’s image and bring about real change.

Sustainable crate

In collaboration with three other innovative companies, we have developed a sustainable plastic flower crate. This reusable crate aligns perfectly with our sustainability vision and significantly reduces cardboard waste for our customers. Besides being eco-friendly, it also enhances the quality of the flowers. The crates provide optimal air circulation and excellent protection for the flowers. We are gradually transitioning from cardboard boxes to these flower crates, group by group.

This APP Flowercrate has been nominated for the Greenovation Award in 2024! This award, presented by Royal Flora Holland, recognises the best sustainable innovation in the floriculture sector and was presented during the Trade Fair Aalsmeer. Unfortunately, we did not win the award, but we are proud that this sustainable development has been nominated.

Floriculture Sustainability Initiative

We have been part of the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI) since January 2023. This is a market-driven initiative that brings together members of the international floriculture sector to share sustainable initiatives with one another. Together we are working on various innovative projects to make the entire sector more sustainable.

As we move towards 2025, we are building on progress made in terms of transparency, responsible production and trade, positive impact and improvements in the floriculture supply chain. We are very keen to work with FSI towards a more sustainable world step by step!


Sustainable Certificates and Transparency

Sustainability filters

We support you in making sustainable choices. With our sustainability filter in the webshop, you can easily search for products that carry trusted certifications, such as:

  • MPS A, A+, B, C

  • Ephea Gold / Silver

  • KFC Gold / Silver

  • Planetproof

  • Florverde

  • Biologisch

Transparent Shopping

You're able to see on each invoice what percentage of your purchased products are sustainably certified. Additionally, our webshop features a sustainability barometer that shows the percentage of sustainable products in your shopping cart.

Read more about sustainability certificates
Sustainable florist

Driving sustainable floristry growth

The Barometer Duurzame Bloemist quality mark is gaining rapid momentum in the Netherlands, helping florists showcase their commitment to sustainability. This independent certification allows florists to demonstrate their eco-friendly practices by adopting sustainable operations and stocking a range of certified sustainable flowers and plants.

Support for Sustainable Buying

To make sustainable floristry easier, we offer a sustainability dashboard that provides clear insights into your sustainable purchasing habits. With just a glance, you can see what percentage of your purchases are sustainable, saving time on administrative tasks while boosting transparency.

Available Internationally: Sustainable Florist Certification

The Barometer Duurzame Bloemist certification scheme is also available internationally under the name ‘Sustainable Florist’ with its globally recognized logo.

Florists can achieve certification at three levels—bronze, silver, or gold—based on their sustainable purchasing percentages and operational achievements.

Certification Levels and Criteria

The certification is awarded based on the annual percentage of sustainable flowers, plants, and cut foliage purchased, combined with operational efforts. Here are the requirements for each level:

  • Gold: 50% sustainable products, including at least 2% certified as EKO/organic or PlanetProof

  • Silver: 30% sustainable products, including at least 1% certified as EKO/organic or PlanetProof

  • Bronze: 15% sustainable products, including at least 0.5% certified as EKO/organic or PlanetProof

Purchasing percentages are calculated based on the total purchase amount in euros, ensuring accurate and fair evaluation.

New cooling installation: Energy Efficient

In summer 2023, we upgraded the cooling system at our Rijnsburg cold store to a natural refrigerant-based solution, reducing electricity consumption and environmental impact. This innovative system offers lower energy use, reduced noise, and better air quality, enhancing both the working environment and flower preservation.

Key Benefits:

  • Energy Efficiency: Significantly lower electricity consumption.

  • Eco-Friendly Refrigerant: Reduced environmental footprint.

  • Better Flower Quality: Consistent temperature and improved humidity control keep flowers fresher longer.

A 6-tonne component of the system was installed on the roof via crane, showcasing our commitment to sustainable innovation. This investment ensures better flowers for you while supporting our planet.

'Too Good to Go' for Flowers and Plants

We’ve introduced the 'Too Good to Go' label in our webshop for flowers and plants that remain high-quality but have been in stock a bit longer. These products are offered at reduced prices, helping to speed up stock turnover while providing you with fresh options at a great value.

A Sustainable Concept

The 'Too Good to Go' label is a sustainable solution that helps reduce waste. By giving flowers a second life, we minimize unnecessary disposal. More mature flowers, for instance, are perfect for arrangements like bridal or mourning bouquets, making this concept both practical and eco-friendly.

🌿 Shop 'Too Good to Go' flowers now

Sustainable growers

We are seeing that sustainability is also an important issue for our partners. Hence Anthurium grower Houwenplant has recently started offering anthuriums under the Fair Flora label. You can read more about this in our blog.
Meet grower Houwenplant
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