New EU Packaging Rules! What you as a Florist Needs to Know
There is a new rule coming from Europe called the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. People are talking about it a lot, florists are panicing ans are many creative small business, but stop you do not need to panic
This rule does not mean the wrapping paper and boxes you use suddenly become illegal today. Changes are happening slowly over the next few years. It is just a good time to look at how we as florists use packaging and see if we can do things in more simple way.
What Counts as Packaging?
For us as florist, flower shops, funeral florists, wedding and event florists, packaging is more than just a cardboard delivery box. It includes:
Bouquet sleeves and cello wrap
Hand tied Boxes
Corsage Boxes
Wedding Delivery Boxes
Bouquet Boxes
Kraft paper and wrapping paper
Tissue paper
Carry bags
Hat Boxes
Carrier Bags
Plant Bogs
Plant pots and trays
Ribbons and sticky tape
Flowers also travel a long way before they reach your shop. They come wrapped in sleeves, packed in buckets, and stacked on trays by growers and wholesalers.
What is Europe Trying to Do? What is this all about?
The main goal is to cut down on waste. Europe wants everyone to use less unnecessary packaging, recycle more, and make sure materials can be used again.
For us as florists, we all love a challenge. Does a bouquet of flowers really need five layers of plastic, paper, and ribbon to look special? Can we find ways to use less packaging. Sometimes using less packaging may mean more flowers.
Do You Need to Certify Your Packaging?
For most independent flower shops, the answer right now is no.
If you buy your wrapping and boxes from regular suppliers, the legal responsibility sits with the company that made or imported those items. You only have extra duties if you import packaging yourself from outside the EU or order custom-made, branded packaging specially for your shop.
What Should You Do Right Now?
Keep it simple and take it step by step this is not an emergency, it will be a gradual process.
Check your stock: Look at the packaging you use and find out who supplies it.
Ask your supplier: When you reorder, ask them if their packaging meets the new standards and if they have written proof.
Keep good notes: Write down what you buy and keep your receipts. Having a simple paper trail showing you care about the rules is your best protection.
Don't rush: You do not need to throw away your current stock. Just make better choices as you naturally run out and buy new supplies over time.
This new rule is not an emergency. It is simply a nudge for the flower industry to think ahead, protect our profit margins by avoiding waste, and keep creating gorgeous arrangements that make people smile.
We will be adding more information regarding this into our training programs, and of course as things progress, we as always will keep you updated here too.