Corporate Social Responsibility

Sustainably grown flowers. Friendly to the environment and to people. From grower, to wholesaler, to florist, because every step counts. That is why Corporate Social Responsibility is not only our wish, but even our duty. Every day we look at how we can make our sustainability contribution a little bigger.

Because we are Farm Direct. Made by people, for people.

Farm Direct CSR

It begins with the grower

In floriculture, CSR begins with the grower. That is why Farm Direct only works with sustainable growers who are friendly to both people and the environment.

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Certified by Flor Ecuador.

Since 2005, this quality mark has stood for a safe and healthy working environment that meets all legal labour standards, the use of natural products and the use of sustainable processes for maximum environmental protection.

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Irrigation with collected rainwater.

This irrigation source is 100% natural and doesn’t use a drop of drinking water.

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Minimal use of packaging material.

Naturally the rose must be well protected during transport, but savings are made where possible.

Farm Direct Corporate Social Responsibility
Farm Direct Corporate Social Responsibility
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Certified by Flor Ecuador.

Since 2005, this quality mark has stood for a safe and healthy working environment that meets all legal labour standards, the use of natural products and the use of sustainable processes for maximum environmental protection.

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Irrigation with collected rainwater.

This irrigation source is 100% natural and doesn’t use a drop of drinking water.

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Minimal use of packaging material.

Naturally the rose must be well protected during transport, but savings are made where possible.

Farm Direct Corporate Social Responsibility
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Support the economy and create a safe work environment.

Thanks to the employment at the growers, more people have a stable income. This supports the economy, decreases unemployment and improves the situation in the more remote areas of Ecuador, where this improvement is most needed.

The growers also offer a safe working environment for both men and women.

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Reduce the gender pay gap.

Thanks to the safe and social working environment, the growers offer stable and very welcome employment for women, which reduces the pay gap as the money is distributed more fairly.

Certification of the growers

All our growers are certified by Flor Ecuador, which guarantees operations that are friendly for both people and the environment. Various growers have additionnal certifications, such as the Rainforest Alliance and/or Fairtrade. Below is a selection of the different quality marks among our growers.

Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen Kweker Certificaten 4

Quality mark that guarantees the business is friendly for people and the environment. 100% committed to Ecuadorian floriculture.

Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen Kweker Certificaten 1

Fairtrade International promotes fair trade. This international quality mark means that the farmers and agricultural workers earn a good and appropriate income.

Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen Kweker Certificaten 2

Fairtrade Certified is the North American equivalent of Fairtrade International. This quality mark also means that the agricultural workers are paid a fair price.

Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen Kweker Certificaten 3

Since 1987 the global certificate for cultivated products from rainforest areas. Guarantees good working conditions and a sustainable approach to the environment.

Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen Kweker Certificaten

Global G.A.P. sets high standards for agricultural processes, based on scientific studies. The quality mark guarantees that these agricultural standards are met.

What about air transport?

Transport costs energy, we are not going to beat about the bush. However, it turns out that the impact of imported roses, in terms of emissions and compared to local production, is not as high as people often think.

Farm Direct Corporate Social Responsibility
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Air transport has lower emissions than greenhouse heating and lighting in colder countries.

Research has shown that emissions from overseas air transport are 3 to 4 times lower than emissions from greenhouse heating/lighting in colder countries, such as the Netherlands. 

Only in summer do Ecuadorian roses have higher emissions than roses from heated greenhouses. However, this has limited influence as the peak in rose sales always occurs outside of summer.

Bottom line, it appears that the impact of air transport is smaller than the impact of greenhouse lighting and heating.

Want to know more? Read all about it in our article on the sustainability of Ecuadorian roses.

Responsible operations at Farm Direct

Choosing sustainable suppliers is important, being sustainable ourselves even more. That is why at Farm Direct we choose responsible operations, with great care for people and the environment.

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Maximum recycling.

Up to 90% of our waste. All paper, cardboard and plastic is carefully separated in every process, after which we take it to specialised recycling points.

This costs a fair bit, but this way we are sure that everything is correctly processed.

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We recycle plastic through Circular Plastics.

Circular Plastics was founded especially for the floriculture sector. Covers and shrink film are collected and recycled to make new, sustainable flower sleeves.

By stimulating the large-scale reuse of plastic, together we reduce the plastic footprint in the floral industry.

Farm Direct Corporate Social Responsibility
Farm Direct Corporate Social Responsibility
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Maximum recycling.

Up to 90% of our waste. All paper, cardboard and plastic is carefully separated in every process, after which we take it to specialised recycling points.

This costs a fair bit, but this way we are sure that everything is correctly processed.

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We recycle plastic through Circular Plastics.

Circular Plastics was founded especially for the floriculture sector. Covers and shrink film are collected and recycled to make new, sustainable flower sleeves.

By stimulating the large-scale reuse of plastic, together we reduce the plastic footprint in the floral industry.

Farm Direct Corporate Social Responsibility
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Our building runs on green energy.

Our building 100% runs on green energy. The roof is equipped with solar panels so we also generate our own electricity.

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Focus on direct sales.

As a result, we only buy what we definitely sell. Floral waste is a big shame and not at all sustainable.

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Partner of Chrysal.

Chrysal is the most responsible choice in flower food. It’s an investment, but the vase life is considerably longer with Chrysal. In addition, since 2009 Chrysal has been committed to people and animals worldwide with the Chrysal Cares program.

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Reuse of karts and buckets.

As we are located at Royal FloraHolland, we can reuse and share all carts and kegs. As a result, all transport material is used as efficiently as possible without wastage.

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Flexible working hours and flexible workplaces.

Are we able to work remotely today? Then we stay at home or work from a flexible workplace.

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We are consciously mobile.

We work exclusively with electric lease cars by Mister Green, plan all trips as efficiently as possible, use an electric tractor and when possible take the bike or walk.

Farm Direct Corporate Social Responsibility
Farm Direct Corporate Social Responsibility
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Reuse of karts and buckets.

As we are located at Royal FloraHolland, we can reuse and share all carts and kegs. As a result, all transport material is used as efficiently as possible without wastage.

N

Flexible working hours and flexible workplaces.

Are we able to work remotely today? Then we stay at home or work from a flexible workplace.

N

We are consciously mobile.

We work exclusively with electric lease cars by Mister Green, plan all trips as efficiently as possible, use an electric tractor and when possible take the bike or walk.

Farm Direct Corporate Social Responsibility
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We pack our bunches per 25 stems.

Our bunches are packed in sets of 25 roses. This means that we need less net packaging material per stem, making each rose a little more sustainable.

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We stimulate awareness among our partners.

Our sleeve says ‘recycle me’ and we ask the growers to use as little packaging material as possible. Everyone is more and more turning to sustainable entrepreneurship, which means that we can learn a lot from each other.

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Farm Direct supports charities.

With our ‘Farm Direct Gives Back’ program we support a good cause every year.

Farm Direct Gives Back

Farm Direct exists thanks to the world. A world in which wealth and rights are not equally distributed. That is why we want to commit ourselves to those people or places that need it the most. We want to give back. Since the crisis of 2020, we have committed ourselves to support a good cause every year.

How can we help?

We’d love to hear from you. Would you like to know more, find a distributor or become a distribution partner? Send us a message and we’ll contact you within 1 working day. Of course you can also email us at info@farmdirect.nl  or call us on +31 297 445 006.

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