I’ve always been an advocate of cutting wild local, flowers and look to cities like Montreal in Canada where hipsters have created a business around selling flowers that grow in the city. Dribing them around for delivery by bike. But orchids, which I first met in Thailand, growing on trees in jungles everywhere are an exception. They are part of the flower industry but they cultivate a flower that can last decades. This makes them a more sustainable choice. And some companies like Westerlay Orchids in California are going the extra mile. 

While its principal focus is on growing and distributing four million vibrant phalaenopsis orchids per year throughout the western United States, as part of its long term vision, Westerlay Orchids is focused on sustainability through continuous reduction of its carbon footprint. Solar panels, energy curtains, and a robust offset program will combine to reduce Westerlay’s carbon footprint by 43 percent in 2021, with a vision of achieving carbon-neutral production by 2026.

Since 2019, Westerlay has worked with Carbon Footprint of Hampshire, United Kingdom, to measure carbon emissions and determine their strategy for reduction. This third-party verification service audits Westerlay’s carbon footprint and administers the carbon offset program. Carbon Footprint is working with Westerlay to calculate, aim, reduce, and offset carbon use, with an ultimate goal of carbon neutrality, by establishing practical improvements to reduce carbon emissions.

Westerlay is undertaking three significant efforts in 2021 to reduce its carbon footprint by 43 percent from 2020:

• Westerlay is working with Wicks Roofing and Solar, installing 561 solar voltaic cells forecast to generate 320 kWh per year of electricity at its primary location at 3504 Via Real, Carpinteria. This will provide 100 percent of all electrical needs for this facility. Westerlay has plans for the installation of solar panels at their Foothill facility in 2022 as well.
• Westerlay is working with Greenhouse System in replacing insulating energy curtains in over 650,000 square feet of greenhouses. This is estimated to save 55,000 therms of natural gas used for heating. 
• Through Carbon Footprint, Westerlay is offsetting carbon emissions by 2,399 tCo2 through direct financial support to construct a wind power facility in Tamil Nadu, India.

These efforts underway at Westerlay build on past efforts like installing a 300,000 square foot drainage catch system in 2018 that reduced water use by 38 percent. Another payoff beyond the conservation of water has been a reduction in natural gas consumption. Channeling the water enables a dryer environment in the greenhouse and requires less heating to maintain temperature and humidity.

Westerlay was able to reduce its natural gas consumption by 11 percent, an amount in terms of carbon footprint equivalent to taking 29 cars off the road. Westerlay has achieved an ‘A’ rating every year since 2015 from MPS, the internationally recognized independent horticultural rating agency and the carbon reduction efforts have contributed this ‘A’ rating. MPS certification goes above and beyond local and state regulations and ensures that Westerlay will always be in compliance while voluntarily maintaining standards that exceed the letter of the law.

Eco-friendly changes at Westerlay are quickly putting them on the map as an example for sustainability, and Overgaag believes that by serving as an inspiration to other companies, Westerlay can help engage and create an even more significant change. Through it all, the company’s tradition continues, constantly refining its sustainable growing practices and ensuring the highest quality orchids are produced.

I’ve always been an advocate of cutting wild local, flowers and look to cities like Montreal in Canada where hipsters have created a business around selling flowers that grow in the city. But orchids, which I first met in Thailand, growing on trees in jungles everywhere are an exception. They are part of the flower industry but they cultivate a flower that can last decades. This makes them a more sustainable choice. And some companies like Westerlay Orchids in California are going the extra mile. 

Toine Overgaag is heading southern California’s largest orchid producer, Westerlay We speak with him to learn more about how his orchid farm uses family traditions and innovation in sustainability to produce an orchid that is beautiful on the inside and out. Westerlay orchid growers use biological pest control, drip irrigation, and energy efficiency technology to reduce greenhouse gases and more. We talk to Toine about the process and reasoning at his farm’s operations. Hopefully you can share this with flower farmers everywhere.

Q: Tell us a little about the family story of Westerlay?

My father had taken over the family nursery in Holland with his brother.  After several years he decided to sell his share and emigrate to the US, to Carpinteria where there were already several Dutch flower growers from the same area.  

My parents and my 3 siblings and I moved here in 1978.  My father bought land and built the first greenhouses by hand and started growing cut roses.  He named the company Westerlay after the vegetable auction in the Netherlands where his father has sold his produce.

My father was an innovator.  He was the first in the area to build more durable glass and steel frame greenhouses and later the first in the area to fully embrace hydroponic technology.

I worked for the business briefly after college but left to pursue other professional aspirations for several years.  When I returned in 2000, we recognized the challenges posed by offshore rose production and converted production to potted orchids.

Q: How can people care for an orchid over its lifetime in a sustainable way?

Houseplants are largely very sustainable especially compared to cut flower products.  Orchids need very little fertilizer and water, and there are organic options available.  Look for ones that have a balanced NPK ratio.

Q: What conditions do orchids love? How can we grow one to last years?

The two key things for successfully keeping an orchid alive are light and water.  Give more light than you think and less water.  A bright indoor room is the best spot.  Orchids will struggle in bathrooms and dark bedrooms.  But avoid direct sunlight.  Watering only when the pot is dry; when the roots are grey it’s ready.  Water thoroughly and let it drain. 

Q: What dream technology would you like that hasn’t been built yet? (Some ideas for future entrepreneurs)

Photovoltaic cells implanted into glass.  This already exists but is not yet being implemented commercially.  We have a plan to trial a product next year.  If this technology continues to evolve, it is likely that a commercial greenhouse can become carbon negative and actually generate more clean power that consumes.

Q: What efforts are you doing in 2021 to reduce its carbon footprint by 43 percent from 2020?

Our 3 principal efforts are the photovoltaic array at our Via Real facility, the replacement of energy curtains throughout, and the carbon offset program we are in with Carbon Footprint Ltd.

Q: Do you have any other eco-friendly changes in the works? 

For 2022, we are looking to further reduce carbon footprint by installing solar power and potentially installing water recycling technology at our Foothill facility.

Further, we also have a long-term goal to eliminate use of single use virgin plastic.  So far we have converted our largest account from plastic packaging sleeves to paper and we are trialing grow pots from recycled materials.

Love orchids? More orchid companies to follow:

• Ambriz Kingdom of Plants
• Cal-Orchid
• Orchid Society of Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
• Seed Engei

• Orchid Design
• Orchid Eros
• Orchids-in-Bloom
• Orchids of Los Osos
• Paph Paradise
• Sorella Orchids
• Sunset Valley Orchids
• Wildflower Seed & Tool
• Wing Studio
• Zuma Orchids

• Florida Orchid House
• So Orchids

• Ecuadorquideas
• Ecuagenera
• Orquideas Amazonicas PERU
• Orquideas Katia
• Tropical Exotique
• Wilson Orchids

Trying to live green and being eco-friendly is great and important when it comes to protecting our mother earth. Most businesses and companies have realized this and are doing their part by using recyclable material and less use of plastic to reduce the carbon footprint in the environment so that the products are less harmful or rough on the environment. 

The change, however, never starts with companies but starts with individuals. We ourselves have to strive to make the environment more eco-friendly so we can harness the resources available for a much longer and sustained period. Most of us, as individuals, are pretty wasteful and don’t care much about the environment. An average American citizen produces about 4.5 pounds of trash every day and while this may not seem like a big number individually but when thousands and millions of citizens produce the same amount of trash and waste products then it adds up to be a very huge number.

Individually, we should play our part and try to live our lives as eco-friendly as possible. Luckily, there are many ways by which we can contribute to the betterment of the environment and live an eco-friendly life. Let’s dig deeper into the 5 Step Guide to an Easy Eco-Friendly Living:

1. Recycle and Reuse

The first and foremost thing to do in order to lead an eco-friendly life is live by the rules of recycling and reusing. Instead of throwing everything away that you are done with, try to recycle it or reuse it in any way possible. Maybe you can use them for something handy or donate it to someone who needs it. You can even watch some of the DIY videos and put on your own DIY hat and try it yourself.

If you cannot think of any way to reuse a material once you are done with it then make sure that you recycle it. Instead of littering and garbaging it, just try to recycle it. If you are unsure about what kind of products can be recycled then you can easily find a detailed list on the internet. In this way, you will be contributing less to littering the environment and more to having a sustainable, eco-friendly environment.

2. Conserve Energy & Water

Another way to live an eco-friendly living is to make sure that you conserve water and energy. Both of these things are usually taken for granted but there are many people in different parts of the world who don’t even have accessibility to these basic resources of life. 

Always remember to turn off your lights, fan, and other electrical appliances when you are leaving the room. When you leave the lights and other electric appliances on then you are not only wasting the energy, increasing the carbon footprint but your electricity bill will be also much higher. Just make sure that there is no unnecessary light or electric appliance turned on in your house. Also, switching to energy-efficient appliances such as LEDs will also help. You should limit how often you are using an air conditioner or furnace. 

Conserving water is also a good idea and we should be thankful that we even have access to clean and pure water because many people in different parts of the world don’t even have access to clean water for drinking. To conserve water, just make sure that you are doing your best to stop its wastage which includes turning off taps, taking shorter showers, etc.

3. Use the Right Products

Whether it is a difficult task like cleaning your home or a simple task like playing games with your friends and family on a Friday night, you should always try to make sure that you are using the right products, products that don’t cause any kind of harm to the environment. 

Let’s take the example of home cleaning products which includes floor cleaners, window cleaners, dish soaps, etc. Many of the aforementioned products that are available in the market usually contain different kinds of chemicals which are harmful to the environment and disposing of them in an eco-friendly way can become difficult. Over-exposure to such harmful products can also be dangerous for your health.

As far as playing with friends is concerned then always make sure that you choose eco-friendly versions of the game that you are going to play with your friends. Board games over online games.

The point of discussion was that whatever you do, whether it is a complex task or a difficult task, always make sure that you choose the right products that won’t harm the environment. 

4. Try to Grow Your Own Food

If you have space, capability, and resources then try to grow your own food. If you have a big enough space for a large outdoor garden then consider growing your own vegetables, fruits, and pulses. All such items that are used on a daily basis can easily be grown. By doing so, you are not only helping the environment but also going a little light on your expenses by reducing your spendings.

When you start growing your own food then you will realize that it will only cost a fraction or a quarter of the amount that you usually spend and the products that you will grow will be home-grown and of higher quality.

However, if you don’t have the resources to build an outdoor garden to grow your own fruits and vegetables then consider buying from your local market as you won’t be contributing to the transportation of food that can lead to a huge amount of carbon released from the engines of vehicles. 

5. Encourage Others

If you are trying to live an eco-friendly life then you are definitely doing good for the environment but it would be so much better if you encourage your friends, family members, co-workers, and other people in the community to do the same. One person living an eco-friendly life is good but a dozen more doing the same is just better.

Try to spread the message in your community, in your close circles, and encourage others to live an eco-friendly life. Tell them about the importance of recycling, reusing, conversing energy and how it could be beneficial for not only them but for the environment too. If you do it right and tell the right information then you will definitely be able to encourage some people to join you in the eco-friendly movement. 

Every human being has a unique communication style using which he/she communicates and interacts with other people. Whether it is in real life or online, the way a person interacts, communicates, and expresses himself tells so much about his communication style and personality.

Basically, there are four communication styles; Passive, Aggressive, Passive-Aggressive, and Assertive. Every person has one of these four communication styles and a communication style reflects so much about an individual’s personality. 

Let’s have a look at the characteristics of each communication style and what each communication style tells about the people of that communication style.

1. Passive Communication

First, off the list, we have Passive Communication. People who are known to have a passive communication style or use passive communication while interacting with people are known to act indifferent. As the name suggests, passive communicators have a hard time expressing their feelings or needs & usually fail to do so, which gives others the chance to express themselves freely. 

Usually, people mistake a passive communicator’s lack of outward communication for the feeling of pride and it often leads to misunderstanding, where the other person gets angry because of the way a passive communicator speaks. While you can’t have a full-fledged, full-of-expression conversation with a passive communicator, such communicators are usually the best option to speak to in case conflicts arise because such people will avoid being confronted or deferring to others. 

Passive Communicators are not only poor with words but their body behavior is also poor. They are often afraid to make contact, their body posture is usually poor when talking to others and they have the inability to say no or reject someone. While a conversation with a passive communicator isn’t the most fruitful, such people are easy to get along with since they usually have the inability to say No and they follow others and the statement “go with the flow”. 

2. Aggressive Communication

When you will see an aggressive communicator then you will recognize him/her instantly. You will hear it, you will see it, and even feel it when you encounter aggressive communication. Aggressive Communication style is easily recognized and aggressive communicators usually speak in a loud, demanding, low-pitched voice, maintain eye contact, and try to dominate/control others through their actions which involve blaming, critiquing, and attacking others.

Aggressive communicators are aggressive when they communicate with others and they do so as to assert their dominance over others and make them listen. They are known to issue orders and usually talk in an aggressive tone, which most people find rude and they fail to listen to others. However, one of the traits of aggressive communicators is that they are considered leaders and captains since they have the ability to assert dominance and lead their team.

3. Passive-Aggressive Communication

Passive-Aggressive Communicators, appear to be passive on the surface and they lack the ability to express themselves properly in front of others but within, they feel powerless and build up resentment which leads to them acting in a different way. 

Most of the passive-aggressive communicators, instead of confronting any person about an issue, all they do is mutter to themselves and build up the anger and frustration within. They have difficulties acknowledging their anger and their body & facial expressions contradict and don’t correlate with how they feel. Even if there is a problem, they would rather deny it rather than confront it.

They are usually considered silent speakers. They usually communicate with someone through their body language and when they have an issue with someone then instead of trying to resolve that issue in person, they would give them silent treatment which includes spreading rumors behind someone’s back, backbiting, and sabotaging their efforts behind their backs. They appear to be cooperative but the inside anger and resentment leads to doing the complete opposite silently. 

4. Assertive Communication

Assertive communicators are known to be the most effective communicators because the assertive communication style usually features an open style of communication. Assertive communicators are known to express their own needs, desires, and feelings but at the same time, they also consider the needs of others and work for the benefit of the parties involved.

Assertive communicators usually try to make a balanced situation where it is a win-win for both sides. One of the best things about assertive communicators is that they usually don’t blame others. They are also good listeners and they respect the opinions of others. Assertive Communicators are confident about their own beliefs and opinions but they don’t degrade or insult someone’s opinions, although they may strongly disagree but they don’t degrade or insult someone.

Another key trait is that they are problem-solving and compromising. As compared to aggressive communicators, who will try to do everything for their benefit, assertive communicators are known to compromise in difficult situations to help others.