Where to Donate Used Flower Bouquets
Each day, millions of flower bouquets are bought, but only last a few days or weeks. Rather than throw them away, there is a growing movement to recycle them into new bouquets, to gift to others, or to give to brides who can’t afford the sky-high prices of florist wedding bouquets.
Many flowers (including lilies & delphiniums) are unsafe near animals, so only gift such flowers to pet-free homes and nursing homes. Read our post on pet-friendly gardens. Never face indoor foliage to face outdoor gardens, to help prevent birds flying into windows.
- London’s Floral Angels (London) delivers donated bouquets to hospices, care homes and shelters within the community, working from New Covent Garden Flower Market.
- The Flower Bank works with young offenders, to repurpose donated flowers to care homes and local community places.
Places to Donate Flower Bouquets
Read the above advice, as it’s important to ensure rules are followed for safety (and pet-toxic blooms are not given to homes and institutions where animals reside).
Hospitals and hospices – some accept flower bouquets, a few don’t so check first. Some refuse them due to infection control.
Care homes and nursing homes – many residents adore receiving flower donations, the sight and scent can really cheer someone up, especially if they feel lonely (and know someone has taken the trouble to recycle a bouquet especially for them).
Charities and community organisations – Charities like women’s shelters and support groups can benefit, to give someone a lift and show that someone cares.
Funeral homes – memorial bouquets are very expensive, so this offers a chance for someone on low income to use a lovely bouquet for a departed loved on at no cost.
Places of worship – most churches have flower bouquets. So by donating them on, churches can use donations and funds to put to good use, as they are not having to order from florists.
Homeless shelters – people living in temporary accommodation can feel uplifted by flower donations. So just that any blooms are pet-friendly (many homeless people live with dogs). Read our post on helping dogs of homeless people.
