Torre del Lago boasts the first eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable for-profit flower growing business to receive the prestigious Iso14001 environmental management certification.
The company Floricultura Carmazzi, owned by Marco Carmazzi, was founded at the beginning of the 20th century and today is one of the most well-known and esteemed floriculturists in all of Italy.
Though it primarily produces potted plants, it has ventured into the cut-flower market as well.
In addition, the company was one of the first to experiment with organic growing during the 1970s.
For the past several years, Carmazzi has employed environmentally friendly practices that optimise resources used in the production phase.
Practices include water saving, recycling, composting, monitoring of filtering and fertilization systems, All of which guarantee almost minimal environmental impact.
The company has also developed a new water saving irrigation technique called sub-irrigation, which allows plants to be watered from below, thanks to a porous, sponge-like flooring system.
The company's many environmentally conscious models played a large part in its being granted the prestigious Iso 9001 stamp, a certification given to eco-friendly firms with high quality production. The two certifications conferred in the arc of one year have no doubt provided double satisfaction for Carmazzi.
The 16,000 square metre space in Torre del Lago (near Lucca) was created by Marco's grandfather, Giuseppe, who had realized the 'American Dream' after having worked for years in New York.
He then returned to his native land to begin his flower growing business. What began as extensive horticulture production soon turned in to the cultivation of over 800 kinds of peperoncino for sale on local markets.
The desire to return to its origins led the company to begin producing organic potted plants including peperoncino and basil.
The latter is cultivated with a technologically advanced method to combat the peronospora disease so damaging to plants. In addition to potted plants, the Torre del Lago company also cultivates organic cyclamen, sage and rosemary.
