Going For The Green

Have you noticed the amount of street and sewer upgrading going on around the city...long overdue  - the potholes of  NYC are notoriously known all over the world! What you may not have noticed are the new ‘bioswales’ created as a part of this construction, in order to alleviate rainwater runoff from city streets. As florists and landscapers, Sustainability (the use of the Earth’s natural resources in a way that does not deplete them for future generations), is a subject near and dear to us. We see firsthand every day, the negative effects of global warming and neglect of the environment, on plant life and our ecosystem.

Bioswales are strips of landscaping that slow and cleanse runoff and allow it to infiltrate back into the ground rather than being directed to a storm sewer. A seemingly small measure but very important as all small measures add up to a very large ‘good’.  The ones in the city are usually planted with native plants and trees; however bioswales may also be grassed or covered with landscaping rocks. So as you walk or drive around the City on our newly paved roads, enjoy the extra ‘green’ and think about what you can do to contribute to saving our environment. 

Some easy way you can go green include....Reusing...this is one of my favorites because you get to be thrifty without being accused of being stingy...I reuse foil paper in the kitchen, and the pieces that I use to wrap my daily sandwiches. Buy less stuff....yes I said it...whenever I shop or lust for something new I evaluate how much clutter it will create in my life, and how I will ultimately dispose of it. That’s one of the reasons flowers make such great gifts – folks get to enjoy them and then throw them away when they die – without guilt. Pass on paper and especially plastic bags when shopping – take one of your own reusable ones to cut down on waste. Buy eco friendly products especially carpets, paint, furnishings, and cleaning products – indoor pollution can be a huge problem... you and your family will also be much healthier. Go to our Facebook page facebook.com/FlowerworksFlorist and share your favorite tips for being environmentally savvy...or tweet me at @jaricangirl... let’s do it for our children and the grandkids!