The ecostems Project: Turning the floral industry green.
A sustainability consultancy and educational initiative helping florists, flower shops, wholesalers, and floral businesses build a more sustainable future.
Looking for a sustainable floristry consultant? We share practical guidance shaped by real-world experience at ecostems in Toronto Ontario.
✳We walk the talk. Now let's help the industry do the same.
Rooted in practiceReal ideas for real flower shops.Corktown, Toronto
GOOD FLOWERS BETTER PRACTICES GREENER FUTURES
Small changesBetter practicesLasting impact
Find your way · The ecostems Project
01 / About
A greener future for floristry starts with what we do every day.
The ecostems Project grew out of our experience at ecostems, where sustainability is part of how we think about flowers, business, and the future of the floral industry.
Drawing on decades of floral industry experience and nearly 20 years of running ecostems, we know meaningful change takes more than good intentions. Florists balance quality, costs, suppliers, customer expectations, staffing, and the practical demands of everyday work.
Our goal is to share what we've learned and help floral businesses find realistic ways to reduce waste, use resources more efficiently, and make informed choices.
Our missionTurn the floral industry green - one flower shop, one practice, and one decision at a time.
02 / Services
Practical help for a more sustainable floral industry.
Every floral business faces different challenges. We offer guidance, education, and collaboration to help you find opportunities to improve.
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Sustainability consulting
On-site consultations, operational guidance, and practical support tailored to your floral business.
Our approach focuses on realistic changes that can be implemented and maintained over time.
Everyday choices matterSmall changes. Better practices.PRACTICE IN BLOOM
04 / Sustainability in practice
We share what we're learning - as we learn it.
Our work at ecostems continues to shape how we think about sustainable floristry.
From sourcing and flower care to waste reduction, material choices, and everyday shop operations, we're continually exploring better ways to work.
The ecostems Project shares these experiences openly: what we're doing, why it matters, what we've learned, and how other florists can adapt those ideas to their own businesses.
01 Explore02 Learn03 Share
05 / Product testing & evaluation
Put sustainable products to the real-world test.
How do new products perform in a working flower shop - and are they a practical alternative?
We explore floral products, mechanics, packaging, tools, and supplier offerings through practical testing and documented observations.
We share what we learn about performance, ease of use, durability, limitations, and relevant sustainability considerations.
✳Ideas in actionFLORISTRY · SUSTAINABILITY · BUSINESS
06 / Speaking & workshops
Bring sustainable floristry to the stage.
With approximately 25 years of floral industry experience, Joseph offers presentations, demonstrations, and workshops exploring sustainable floristry and the changing business of flowers.
Sessions can be tailored for floral trade shows, flower conferences, industry organizations, wholesalers, and professional development events.
Topics include sustainable floral design, flower care, waste reduction, product testing, sourcing, and practical ways to modernize shop operations.
The ecostems Project shares practical sustainability ideas through videos, articles, demonstrations, and educational resources.
Our YouTube channel takes viewers behind the scenes at ecostems, documenting initiatives, testing products, exploring challenges, and showing how sustainable practices can work in a real flower shop.
We want to make it easier for florists to learn from one another and turn good ideas into everyday practice.
The ecostems Project is led by Joseph, owner of ecostems and a floral professional with approximately 25 years of industry experience.
From floral design and horticulture education to teaching and running two independent flower shops, Joseph has experienced the evolution of the industry firsthand.
That experience informs a practical approach to sustainability - understanding the creative, operational, and commercial realities of floral businesses while continually looking for better ways to work.
J
Industry experience
Joseph's background
Owner and operator of ecostems
Floral Design, Seneca College - graduated with honours
Horticulture/Greenhouse Technician, Niagara College
Former instructor, Seneca College Floral Design Program
Former Toronto Master Gardener
Former Canadian Florist columnist, 2018-2019
Member of the Canadian Academy of Floral Art
Former member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD)
Attended floral shows and workshops with Hitomi Gilliam, Klaus Wagener, Per Benjamin, Gregor Lerch, David Ragg, and Bart Hassam, including an Ice Hotel workshop with Per Benjamin
GOOD FOR THE PLANET ✳ GOOD FOR BUSINESS
09 / The business case for sustainability
Good for the planet. Good for business.
Sustainable practices can create opportunities to reduce flower loss, avoid unnecessary waste, improve resource efficiency, and strengthen everyday operations.
They can also help floral businesses respond to changing customer expectations and build stronger relationships with their communities and suppliers.
Every business is different. We help florists identify meaningful improvements that make sense for their operations, customers, and goals - supporting stronger, more resilient businesses while moving the industry forward.
10 / Contact
Let's grow a greener floral industry together.
Whether you're a florist looking for practical advice, a wholesaler exploring an initiative, or an event organizer planning a presentation, we'd love to hear from you.
Let's work together.
Tell us about your business and what you're looking to achieve.
▶Watch · Learn · GrowThe ecostems Project
