Native Places unveils zero single use plastic Christmas “Honesty” Tree

Native Places, the UK’s leading lifestyle aparthotel brand has teamed up once again with International Floral Artist, Jake Kuit to produce a beautiful, one-of-a-kind, carbon neutral Christmas tree. The purpose is to shine a spotlight on their sustainability effort and the endless and surprising ways unwanted items can be used and recycled as part of their ongoing partnership.

Each year,12,500 tonnes of Christmas decorations are discarded in landfills, totalling £1.2m. This includes 68,488 miles of Christmas lights. With Native Places championing sustainability efforts all year round, the Christmas “Honesty” Tree has been created, mindfully, from no single-use plastic and discarded materials rescued from previous special events throughout the year.

Native’s 12 ft tall Christmas “Honesty” Tree, stands charmingly in the Native Bankside lobby, delighting passer’s by with a gentle reminder that Christmas is a time for reflection and encouraging them to think about giving back to the planet through reusing and recycling at a time when so much waste is typically produced.

The Christmas “Honesty” Tree, takes its name from the Lunaria ‘honesty’ flowers that are incorporated throughout the design. The lower half of the tree comprises branches made from 2000 stems of the most delicate dried lunaria and honesty flowers, shimmering and glowing in the light as a tinsel alternative; alongside ‘honesty’ stems, which were previously used in weddings celebrated in 2022, accompanied by recycled glass baubles.

The top half of the tree has been made from 250 hand-tied velvet bows hoarded in Kuit’s studio from previous events and previous Christmases saved from landfill and finding a new purpose. The velvet ribbon is complemented by Spanish moss – a living air plant, breathing life into Native Bankside’s lobby and finished with wool used in Natives 2021 installation, donated by charity, British Wool.

Jake Kuit, Director of Kuit Flowers, strives to bring sustainability into focus within the floral industry. With humble beginnings, Jake himself, has had a second chance at life, from being homeless, living on the streets of East London, to now designing floral extravaganzas for some of the biggest brands in the world.

Native aparthotels offer guests a home from home experience, providing beautifully designed apartments with the flexibility and space to entertain friends and family all year round. All of Native’s apartments (across London, Manchester and Scotland) feature a living room, kitchen, bedroom and workspace, kitted out with everything guests need for maximum comfort and enjoyment. Kuit Flowers has also created a sustainable Christmas tree displayed at Native Hyde Park, and a sustainable wreath displayed at Native Mayfair, all from excess flowers and ribbons used to create the Christmas “Honesty” Tree at Native Bankside to ensure nothing was wasted.