Sustainability matters more than ever in our world today, where climate change has become one of the most globally pressing issues. With regards to the environment, ‘sustainability’ refers to avoiding the depletion of natural resources. 

How does Gulbaan do Sustainable Gifting in Lahore?

At Gulbaan, we have redefined sustainable gifting in Lahore and have pioneered the way for high-quality, eco-friendly flowers in Pakistan. Our farm-to-door flower retailing in Lahore, linked to our parent company, Agri Flora, stands as a testament to our innovative approach. 

Agri Flora is the only farming venture in Pakistan with a successful greenhouse flower production operation, proving our commitment to pushing the boundaries of sustainability.

Pictured: Agri Flora’s workers working hard to produce eco-friendly flowers for Gulbaan

The Production of Eco-friendly Flowers at Agri Flora

A variety of key sustainability practices are in place at Agri Flora throughout the farming process, starting with the building and maintenance of greenhouses. 

1. Greenhouse Innovation for Greener Flowers

These greenhouses have automated machines which control and optimise the environment’s external factors like temperature, light, humidity, fertilisers, and pesticides to ensure that exceptional flowers are provided to our customers.

The controlled environment at Agri Flora enables us to grow flowers that are not typically found in Pakistan, thereby expanding our range of flowers. However, we remain rooted in our local and seasonal focus, prioritising flowers that are native to our region and require fewer resources to produce and transport. 

This approach not only reduces our overall carbon footprint but also fosters a deeper connection to our community and the natural environment.

We also commit to operating on a small-batch, made-to-order model to minimise waste by considering demand cycles.

Flower production is increased during the peak season, from October to April, to meet higher demand, and it is similarly reduced during the off-season, from May to September. This approach allows us to deliver the freshest in-season flowers to our customers, promoting sustainable gifting in Lahore.

Pictured: Flowers at Agri Flora, ready for the picking

2. Sustainable Farming: Soil, Pest Control, and Disease Reduction 

All farming components at Agri Flora are carefully selected, with ecological constraints in mind. The soil is produced organically using farmyard manure, decomposed manure, and decomposed sugarcane byproducts. Soil bacteria are cultured to enhance soil productivity, and fertilisers are added to reduce pH values.

Automated pest control methods of three kinds contribute to a 70-80% reduction in pests. Biological methods help raise insects that eliminate unwanted pests (e.g., ladybirds, which eat soft-bodied pests), and mechanical methods, such as sticky tape, attract and kill pests. 

The third and final control is the use of chemicals, which is avoided whenever possible. The safety of this control is ensured by following the World Trade Organisation’s mandated safe practices and utilising globally recommended methods. 

Flowers are kept safe from fungal and bacterial diseases, which are even more dangerous than pests. The automated machines reduce underground moisture and humidity, which includes targeting spores that can result in diseases. 

3. Reducing our Carbon Footprint through Greener Practices 

In terms of resource consumption, Agri Flora’s greenhouses rely on solar panels for electricity and drip irrigation for water usage. These methods result in reduced emissions from reliance on fossil fuels and save up to 70% water. 

The automated greenhouse controls help the team save critical time that would otherwise be spent harvesting flowers manually, thereby reducing delays in production and sales at Gulbaan. This automation also ensures that fresh, in-season produce is readily available. 

Pictured: Solar panels powering flower production at Agri Flora

Farm-to-door Flower Freshness at Gulbaan

Transportation of the flowers from Agri Flora to Gulbaan is carried out in cold vans. A specialised cold storage room fitted with a chiller has been constructed to keep the temperature between 2 and 4 degrees. Flowers are stored in this cold storage for a few days until orders are received.

Caring for Flowers Beyond the Vase

During the cold storage process, we take every measure to ensure that the flowers remain fresh and healthy. We conserve water and keep them away from harmful compounds, providing the care and attention they deserve. After sale, their longevity is dependent on the consumer, and with the proper methods, they can be displayed for 10-12 days, a testament to the quality of our product.

All flowers have a limited shelf life. After Agri Flora’s flowers are harvested, non-toxic chemicals are used to increase their shelf life, after which they are transported to Gulbaan for sales in Lahore. Customers can also reuse bouquets by drying them and using the dried flowers for decorative purposes. To do this, simply hang the bouquet upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area for a few weeks, allowing the flowers to dehydrate. Then, they can be arranged in a vase or used in various craft projects.

Gulbaan’s customer delivery processes aim to minimise fuel usage and emissions. Delivery trips are carefully planned so that one rider delivers all orders within the same route. This approach helps us consolidate delivery costs so that the fuel usage is effectively covered within one delivery charge, rather than multiple ones.

Reusable Packaging: Bouquets with Built-in Sustainability

We have also taken steps to make our packaging more sustainable. Gulbaan’s packaging is kept minimal, and we utilise reusable cellophane sheets that can be cleaned and used multiple times to reduce single-use plastic waste. Local packaging is often used to support the local economy and reduce emissions from imported products.

Gulbaan’s burlap bouquets revolutionised the sustainable flower brand landscape in Pakistan by introducing unique jute packaging that can be repurposed for various creative purposes. Some burlap bouquet selections include Summer Star, Summer Bloom, Purity, and Candy, all of which weave together beauty and nostalgia to bring warmth to our customers. 

Pictured: Gulbaan’s Summer Bloom bouquet with sustainable burlap packaging [Buy now]

The Farmer’s Box at Gulbaan arrives at our customers’ doorsteps with the freshest blooms of the season that can be bought one time or as part of a subscription. This subscription service not only ensures a regular supply of fresh, sustainable flowers but also reduces the need for additional packaging, thereby minimising waste. The flowers are packaged in a biodegradable box, and no extra packaging is used to reduce wastage.

Pictured: The Farmer’s Box at Gulbaan, a fan favourite [Buy now]

Greener Logistics, Fresher Blooms

Our sales are primarily managed through online platforms to decrease the need for printed materials, optimise our logistics and delivery, and enable us to connect with customers remotely. These processes reduce our operational energy consumption and costs. 

Due to our end-to-end sustainable practices, Gulbaan benefits from year-round green farming at Agri Flora, allowing us to save on labour, electricity, water, and fertiliser, which helps sustain our cash flow cycle. 

By cutting out the middleman, Gulbaan’s farm-to-door approach enables the company to regulate its carbon footprint and maintain eco-friendly practices. Our customers can buy sustainable flowers in Pakistan to decorate their own homes and offices, and also gift their loved ones without worrying about the ecological impact of their purchases.

FAQs:

1. What is sustainable gifting, and how does Gulbaan promote it in Lahore?

Sustainable gifting refers to environmentally conscious gift-giving that reduces waste and carbon footprint. At Gulbaan, we promote sustainable gifting in Lahore by offering eco-friendly, farm-to-door flowers grown through resource-efficient practices at Agri Flora.

2. How are Gulbaan’s flowers eco-friendly?

Our flowers are grown in solar-powered greenhouses using drip irrigation, automated climate control, and non-toxic pest management. These eco-friendly practices reduce emissions, save water, and minimise chemical usage, thus making our flowers truly sustainable.

3. What is farm-to-door flower delivery, and how does it work at Gulbaan?

Farm-to-door means flowers are delivered directly from our farm, Agri Flora, to your home or office without intermediaries. This reduces the carbon footprint, supports local farming, and ensures fresher, seasonal blooms in Lahore.

4. How long do Gulbaan’s flowers stay fresh?

With proper care, Gulbaan’s flowers can stay fresh for 10-12 days. We use cold storage, non-toxic shelf-life extenders, and temperature-controlled delivery to ensure your bouquet arrives in peak condition.

5. Can Gulbaan’s flower bouquets be reused or recycled?

Yes! You can repurpose our bouquets by drying the flowers and using them in home décor or craft projects. Our packaging is also reusable and minimal, including cellophane sheets and our signature burlap wrapping.

6. What makes Gulbaan’s packaging sustainable?

Gulbaan uses biodegradable boxes, reusable cellophane, and jute burlap wraps. We avoid single-use plastics and support local suppliers to reduce both waste and emissions from packaging.

7. How does Gulbaan reduce its carbon footprint in flower delivery?

We plan delivery routes efficiently to minimise fuel usage. Our online sales system reduces the need for printed materials, and our direct-from-farm model eliminates the environmental costs of traditional flower supply chains.

8. What is the Farmer’s Box, and how is it sustainable?

The Farmer’s Box is a seasonal bouquet subscription that offers fresh, eco-friendly flowers with minimal packaging. It’s available as a one-time purchase or subscription, and helps reduce waste through bulk planning and biodegradable packaging.

9. Are all of Gulbaan’s flowers grown locally in Pakistan?

Most of our flowers are grown in Pakistan at Agri Flora’s greenhouse farms, while only a few are imported. While we grow a variety of blooms, we prioritise local and seasonal varieties that require fewer resources to cultivate and transport.

10. Is Gulbaan the only brand offering sustainable flowers in Pakistan?

Gulbaan, through Agri Flora, is the only flower brand in Pakistan with a successful greenhouse production operation focused on sustainability. We are proud to lead the way in eco-friendly flower gifting in Lahore.