HOW IT WORKS | Paper recycling, Cranes, Cherry jam, flower market | Episode 27| Free Documentary

Summary

This episode delves into the fascinating processes behind everyday items. It explores the paper recycling journey from waste to new A4 sheets, the monumental task of constructing Europe's largest mobile crane for skyscrapers, the transformation of cherries into jam, and the bustling Almeria flower auction house in Holland. Each segment reveals the engineering marvels and human ingenuity that drive our world.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The process of paper recycling involves initial sorting to separate different types of paper, such as newspapers and cardboard.
• 🔍 High-tech equipment like color-sensitive cameras and air blasts are used to remove non-paper items and impurities during recycling.
• 🏭 The transformation of waste paper into new paper involves pulping, cleaning, and the removal of inks, resulting in gray slop that is then processed into fresh paper.
• 🔄 Despite the environmental benefits, paper fibers can only be recycled about 5-6 times before they become too brittle.
• 🏗️ Europe's largest mobile crane, capable of reaching over 200 meters, is essential for constructing tall structures like skyscrapers and power plant chimneys.
• 🚧 The assembly of such a massive crane is a significant project, requiring careful placement, reinforcement, and the use of smaller cranes to support the framework.
• 🍒 The production of cherry jam involves harvesting ripe cherries, removing stems and stones, cooking with sugar and pectin, and finally bottling.
• 🌹 Almeria Flower Market in Holland is the world's largest flower auction house, handling billions of flowers annually with a vast network of refrigerated warehouses and trolley systems.
• 💐 The auction process at Almeria involves a descending bid system where buyers must time their purchases correctly to get the best price and quality.
• ✈️ Flowers from Almeria are distributed globally, with some being shipped to as far as Moscow or Tokyo, wrapped in protective cellophane to prevent damage during transit.

Q & A

What is the significance of paper recycling in Britain, and how much paper does the country use annually?

Paper recycling is significant for environmental conservation in Britain. The country uses over 11 million tons of paper annually for packaging and reading materials, with about 40% of it being sent for recycling.

How is the initial sorting of paper waste done at the recycling facility?

The initial sorting of paper waste is done using a series of rollers that separate lighter paper from heavier materials like cardboard and padded envelopes.

What technology is used to remove colored card from the paper recycling process?

A color-sensitive camera is used to detect colored card, and if any is detected, a well-timed blast of air removes it from the conveyor belt.

What is the first step in making new paper from old, and how is the waste paper pulped?

The first step in making new paper from old is to pulp it. This is done by using chemicals to break down the waste paper, which is then filtered to remove impurities.

How are inks removed from the pulp during the paper recycling process?

Inks are removed by adding chemicals and soap to the pulp. The inks stick to the soap bubbles, which rise to the surface and can be skimmed off.

What is the role of the large machine that turns pulp into fresh paper, and how long does it take?

The large machine plays a crucial role in turning pulp into fresh paper. It contains various devices to transform sloppy pulp into pristine A4 paper, and this process takes only about 20 seconds.

How is the moisture content reduced in the pulp during paper production?

The moisture content in the pulp is reduced by spreading it out and passing it through a roller with an absorbent cloth. The cloth captures most of the liquid, which is then rung out and returned to the machine.

What is the purpose of painting the paper with white ink after it has been dried?

The paper is painted with white ink to give it a traditional clean appearance, as the pulp may still be grayed even after being cleaned earlier in the process.

How is the quality of the new paper determined, and what factors influence its use?

The quality of the new paper is determined by a machine that tests samples and assigns a quality grade. Factors such as strength influence the paper's use; for example, books require a higher grade of paper than newspapers.

What is Europe's largest mobile crane used for, and how high can it reach?

Europe's largest mobile crane is used for constructing tall structures like skyscrapers and power plant chimneys. It can reach over 200 meters high.

How does the crane operator ensure the safe and precise placement of a large chimney during construction?

The crane operator ensures the safe and precise placement of a large chimney by carefully maneuvering it, considering factors like wind speed and using the crane's mechanisms to position the chimney with millimeter precision.

What is the process of turning cherries into jam, and what ingredients are involved?

The process of turning cherries into jam involves collecting ripe cherries, removing leaves and stems, stoning the cherries, and then cooking them with sugar, pectin, and lemon juice to achieve the desired consistency and texture.

How does the Almeria flower auction house in Holland function, and what is its significance in the global flower industry?

The Almeria flower auction house in Holland functions as a massive auction and distribution center for cut flowers and potted plants. It is the largest supplier in the world, handling over 20 million cut flowers daily and serving as a key hub in the global flower industry.

Outlines

00:00

📰 Paper Recycling Process

This paragraph delves into the paper recycling process, highlighting the increasing popularity of paper recycling due to modern environmental attitudes. It explains how paper, including newspapers, magazines, and packaging, is sorted and separated at a recycling facility. The process involves removing various contaminants like plastic, cardboard, and padded envelopes using rollers and air blasts. After sorting, the paper is pulped using chemicals, filtered to remove impurities, and cleaned to remove ink. The cleaned pulp is then transformed into new paper through a machine that dries and presses it into A4 sheets. The summary also mentions that paper fibers can only be recycled a limited number of times before they become too brittle.

05:00

🏗️ Building Skyscrapers with Europe's Largest Mobile Crane

The second paragraph focuses on the construction of skyscrapers, particularly the role of Europe's largest mobile crane in building power plants with 90-meter high chimneys. It describes the crane's assembly process, which includes reinforcing the ground to support its weight, aligning the crane using spray paint markings, and the careful placement of hydraulic supports and ballast. The crane's frame is constructed using massive steel pins, and a weather vane is installed to indicate wind speed to the operators. The paragraph also discusses the challenges of raising the crane over a busy road and the meticulous process of maneuvering large chimneys into place with precision.

10:02

🍒 Cherry Jam Production

This section explores the process of turning ripe black cherries into jam. It starts with the harvesting of cherries in an orchard, where a mechanical arm is used to shake the cherries off the trees onto a sheet below. The cherries are then transported to a processing plant where leaves and stems are removed using a roller system. The cherries are rinsed and passed through a stoning machine that removes the inedible middles. The fruit is cooked with sugar and pectin to create a jelly-like texture. The jam is then tested for sugar level and consistency before being bottled. The bottling process includes capping the jars with hot steam to create a vacuum seal, ensuring the jam stays fresh for up to two years.

15:04

🌹 Almeria Flower Market: The World's Largest Flower Auction

The fourth paragraph introduces Almeria flower market in Holland, the largest flower supplier in the world. It describes the daily arrival of trucks carrying over 20 million cut flowers and potted plants from across Europe. The flowers are stored in refrigerated warehouses, and each shipment is tracked with detailed information. The flowers are graded for quality based on color, smell, and frailty. The auction process is explained, where buyers make bids as the price decreases. The winning buyers' information is attached to the plants for delivery. The flowers are then transported to buyers' vans or shipped internationally, with some being wrapped in cellophane for long-distance travel.

20:05

🌺 Global Flower Trade and Delivery

The final paragraph discusses the global flower trade, emphasizing the international buyers at Almeria flower market and the long-distance journeys some flowers undertake. It highlights the meticulous quality control process and the importance of the information provided to buyers for making decisions. The auction process is described, where timing is crucial for buyers to secure flowers at the best price. After the auction, flowers are delivered to the buyers' vans using motorized trolleys. The paragraph also mentions the long-distance shipping of flowers, with some being flown to as far as Moscow or Tokyo, ensuring that these flowers can be enjoyed worldwide.

Keywords

💡Recycling

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. In the video, recycling is a central theme, particularly in the context of paper recycling. Britain uses over 11 million tons of paper annually, and the script describes how paper is sorted, cleaned, and turned into new paper. This process not only conserves resources but also reduces the environmental impact of waste.

💡Pulp

Pulp refers to the raw material used in the papermaking process, which is made by mechanically or chemically separating cellulose fibers from wood, rags, or other vegetable fibers. In the script, pulping is the first step in making new paper from old, where waste paper is turned into a gray slop that will be further processed into fresh, clean paper.

💡Rollers

Rollers are cylindrical objects that can be used to apply pressure or perform a mechanical action. In the context of the video, rollers are used in the paper recycling process to separate different types of paper and to remove water from the pulp. They are also used in the crane assembly to lift and position heavy components.

💡Mobile Crane

A mobile crane is a type of crane that is mounted on a truck or trolley and can move around. The video highlights Europe's largest mobile crane, which is used to construct tall buildings and power plants with high chimneys. The crane's size and mobility make it a critical tool in large-scale construction projects.

💡Cherries

Cherries are a type of stone fruit that is used in various culinary applications, including jams and preserves. The script describes how cherries are harvested and turned into jam. The process involves removing the stems, pitting the cherries, and cooking them with sugar and pectin to create a thick, jelly-like substance.

💡Pectin

Pectin is a natural polysaccharide that is used as a gelling agent, commonly in jams and jellies. In the video, pectin is added to the cherry jam mixture to help thicken it into the familiar jam-like texture. It plays a crucial role in determining the quality and consistency of the final product.

💡Auction House

An auction house is a place where goods are sold to the highest bidder. The video features the Almeria auction house in Holland, which is the world's largest florist. It is a massive operation where millions of flowers and plants are bought and sold daily, with a complex system of carts, tracks, and auctions to facilitate the transactions.

💡Jam

Jam is a sweet food made from fruit boiled with sugar and often used as a spread. The script provides an in-depth look at how cherry jam is made, from the harvesting of cherries to the final bottling process. Jam production is a way to preserve the fruit's taste and nutritional value beyond its natural season.

💡Floral Industry

The floral industry encompasses the cultivation, processing, and sale of flowers and plants. The video showcases the Almeria flower market, which is a significant part of the global floral industry. It highlights the vast scale of operations, the importance of quality control, and the global reach of the market.

💡Infrastructure

Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. The video script mentions the construction of a power plant with 90-meter high chimneys, which requires significant infrastructure, including the use of Europe's largest mobile crane, to assemble the necessary components.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability generally refers to the ability to maintain a certain process or state in the long term. In the context of the video, sustainability is implied through the recycling process, which aims to reduce waste and conserve resources. The script mentions that paper fibers can only be recycled a limited number of times before they become too brittle, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices.

Highlights

The show explores the design, construction, and production of extraordinary items.

Europe's largest mobile crane is essential for constructing tall buildings.

The process of turning cherries into jam involves mechanical harvesting and stone removal.

The Almeria auction house in Holland is the world's largest florist.

Paper recycling has grown in popularity due to modern attitudes towards sustainability.

Britain uses over 11 million tons of paper annually, with 40% being recycled.

Recycling facilities sort paper types using rollers and air blasts to remove impurities.

High-tech equipment and human inspection are used to ensure paper purity for recycling.

The paper recycling process involves pulping old paper with chemicals and filtering out waste.

Inks from original paper print are removed using soap and chemicals during pulp processing.

A 120-meter long machine transforms pulp into fresh paper in just 20 seconds.

Heated rollers and air dryers are used to dry and smooth the newly formed paper.

White ink is applied to the grayed paper to give it a clean, traditional appearance.

Paper quality is tested to determine its suitability for books, newspapers, or other uses.

Paper fibers can only be recycled 5 or 6 times before becoming too brittle.

The construction of Europe's largest mobile crane is a major project taking 3 days to assemble.

Hydraulic supports and ballast are crucial for the stability of the crane during assembly.

The crane's pulley and winch mechanism can lift heavy loads such as 90-ton chimneys.

Safety is paramount when maneuvering large structures like power plant chimneys.

The Almeria flower market in Holland handles over 20 million cut flowers daily.

Auction houses use a descending bid system where buyers must time their purchases correctly.

Flowers are graded for quality, color, and smell before being sold at auction.

The flower market's vast operation relies on a 16.2 km track system to transport flowers.

Buyers from around the world purchase flowers at Almeria, with some being shipped globally.

Transcripts

the show that reveals how extraordinary

items in our world are designed

constructed and produced see the

engineering the technology and Big Ideas

that make the world go around find out

how it

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works

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coming up in today's show when it comes

to big buildings the only tool that's

tall enough is Europe's largest mobile

crane what breakfast table will be

complete without a jar of jam to spread

on your bread we'll find out how to turn

cherries into a cheerful toasty topping

and we'll take a tour of the world's

largest florist the almir auction house

in

Holland

but first paper recycling has grown in

popularity modern attitudes mean more of

us are returning our wasted newspaper

magazines and packaging to be used again

doing our bit for the planet sort of

thing in an average year Britain uses

over 11 million tons of paper as

packaging and reading material and about

40% of it ends up at a facility like

this but it's not recycled here this is

the first step where it's

sorted everything from padded envelopes

to glossy magazines are sent to be

recycled that's a lot of different types

of paper and this creates a big headache

for the recyclers who need to sort and

separate things like newspaper

supplements they're often wrapped in

plastic this has to

go padded envelopes and cardboard are

also found in the pile to remove this

the material is now passed over a series

of rollers lighter paper falls through

leaving the cardboard envelopes and

packaging on

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top unfortunately for the recyclers

there are still several more sting

stages to go through to get pure paper

they can work with after initial sorting

some types of colored card may still be

left a color sensitive camera checks

what passes by and if it's not right a

well-timed blast of air removes it from

the conveyor

this sorting facility uses some fairly

Hightech equipment but at the end of the

day people power is still the best

filter for the

job once all the material has been

sorted it should end up here pure waste

paper ready to be

recycled the first stage of making new

paper from old is to pulp it this is

done by using a range of chemicals to

break it it all down the waste is

filtered once more because even at this

stage impurities may have slipped

through the Clutter is sved out and the

workers end up with this gray slop this

has to be cleaned if it's to be

transformed into fresh recycled

paper the pulp still contains inks from

the original paper print to remove it

chemicals and soap are

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added and is pumped through the mix and

the inks stick to the soap bubbles which

are rising to the surface here they can

be

removed and this is the machine that

will turn the pulp into fresh

paper it's over 120 M long and contains

a variety of devices to help turn sloppy

pulp into pristine A4 now it may sound

hard to believe but it only takes 20 20

seconds to turn pulp into

paper when the pulp enters the machine

it's 99% water and just 1% fiber so the

water's got to go the pulp is spread out

and passed through a roller with an

absorbent

cloth the cloth captures most of the

liquid which is rung out below it then

returns to the machine to repeat the

process the sheet of emerging paper is

now passed through a series of heated

rollers 130° C dries the paper

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perfectly now even though the pulp was

cleaned earlier the processed paper is

still grayed so now it's painted two

rollers layer on white ink giving it its

traditional clean appearance the sheet

then passes over air dryers and like

your work shirt it then gets a good iron

this Smooths out any wrinkles the new

paper may have

have finally the fresh sheet is wound on

to enormous rollers the biggest ones can

weigh up to as much as 30

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tons strength is an important factor in

deciding what the new paper will be used

for Books use a far higher grade of

paper than newspapers a book may be read

many times where a newspaper is only

used two or three

times this machine tests samples so they

can be assigned a quality

grade it can then be packed up to be

sent to the right client when they need

fresh

stock but first the roll will be cut

down to the right size book publishers

need a different size of paper from a

company making gift wrap for

example the neatly sliced rolls tumble

slowly off the guillotine and sent off

to be be wrapped in yet more

paper this protective layer will help

keep the freshly recycled stock

clean finally the rolls are stored until

they're ready to be

delivered although paper recycling is a

big step forward for the environment

paper fibers can only be recycled 5 or

six times before they become too brittle

but the savings for the environment make

it all worthwhile as recyclers turn your

old newspaper into brand new

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A4 the skyline of many cities are

covered in them they're known as boom

type cranes and you couldn't build a

skyscraper without them nowhere is this

more so than when you're building a

power plant with 90 M High chimneys this

is Europe's biggest mobile crane and it

can reach over 200 M

High the enormous chimneys are brought

to the site by trucks and

prepared the put to one side creating a

space big enough for the enormous

Crane's

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arrival and here it is this crane is so

big it's a major construction project in

itself the first step is getting the

base into

position The Cellar beneath the crane

must be reinforced to take its weight if

it collapsed the consequences would be

disastrous the guy then use spray paint

markings to line the crane up

perfectly constructing the crane alone

takes 3 days and the next morning the

hydraulic supports arrive they're

carefully lifted into place and the

workers make absolutely certain their

toes aren't in the way when they're put

down with the base now in place and

firmly supported work can begin to erect

the crane itself first comes the ballast

to help balance the structure the crane

uses 12 slabs in total weighing a

massive 206 tons next comes the massive

Crane's frame structure steel pins

weighing 36 kilos each hold the

individual sections

[Music]

together slowly the recognizable shape

of the boom begins to take

form the crane is so large ordinary

cranes are used to hold up The Towering

framework the next stage requires Great

care because it must reach high enough

to maneuver the chimney the crane must

be very long as it's raised one arm

extends into any available space in this

case directly over a busy

road but there's a deadline to be met so

construction must continue each section

is put in place whilst workers watch out

for the traffic

below

but who is watching the workers up here

for now there's not much for the rig's

operator to do while he waits for the

crane to be put together he makes tiny

adjustments to the Crane's position

whilst his colleagues are hammering 36

kilo pins over moving

buses with the framework complete a

handy Weather Vein is included to

indicate wind speed to the Crane's

operators it also has a flashing light

which acts as a navigation Aid and

obstacle warning for

Pilots finally the pulley and winch

mechanism are threaded up the cable

alone for this enormous Hook is 900 M

long and weighs a massive 7

[Music]

tons it's a tough job and fingers can

get crushed if accidentally trapped in

mechanism finally the driver gets some

action in his day with everything in

place he can now carefully raise the

crane in Readiness for tomorrow's big

job to put it all together this enormous

crane has needed 13 truck loads of

equipment and spare parts and three

whole days with a huge crane now

constructed work on the power plant

project can now

[Music]

begin reaching over 200 m in the air it

dwarves any crane around it however jobs

this size are a team effort and the

smaller cranes are still

important weighing in at 90 turns the

chimney is a large object to maneuver

safely because it's so long and must

positioned with millimet perfect

Precision the wind factor is a real

[Music]

worry the crane operator has a key role

in the job today he is responsible for

maneuvering the chimney before it's

moved it must be prepared the driver

raises it from its temporary stand to a

height where workers can make any last

minute repairs or necessary

[Music]

changes and when the foreman gives the

word the the massive crane is put to

work no it's not a bird or a plane this

is a power plant chimney over 100 m up

in the air joking aside this is a very

serious job and safety is Paramount the

enormous Smoke Stack is lowered into

position to the crane operator's obvious

relief without his skill and the sheer

scale of the crane Jobs's big as this

just wouldn't be

possible

[Music]

still to come with a slice of bread and

some butter who can resist the

temptation of a fruity Jam we'll show

you how preserves are produced and if

you've forgotten the flowers on your

anniversary the world's largest flower

auction house might be able to help

we're visiting Almia flower market in

Holland

[Music]

throughout the UK and plenty of other

countries besides bread and jam is one

thing you'll probably find on a

breakfast table but how do you turn

delicious black cherries into a Jam Jar

full of well Jam the logical place to

start would be the orchard where the

cherries are growing when they reach

full ripeness the farmer brings out this

gigantic

sheet now it looks like he's going to

spread it under the tree and just shake

all the cherries

out in fact that's exactly what he's

going to

do this mechanical arm is attached to

the tree and it does all the

work all the fruit that is ripe will

fall into the waiting sheet below where

it can easily be collected up up all

that's left behind are the empty

stems then all the farmer has to do is

turn on the engine and the sheet rolls

itself back up depositing thousands of R

cherries into the collection tray

simple Farm Workers collect box after

box of fresh cherries ready to take them

to the processing

plant the first step is to remove all

the leaves and stems that are still

mixed in with the

fruit this handy roller system traps the

stems and Yanks them

off only cherries make it past the

rollers to the next step of The Preserve

process next the cherries are rinsed but

there's one part the water can't remove

the stone

inside this next Contraption catches

each individual cherry they are then

passed up into the stoning machine where

spikes pass through the Cherry removing

the hard inedible middles all that's

left behind is pure fresh

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fruit the cherries are finally ready to

be turned into

jam now it won't come as a surprise to

learn that jams contain sugar but it may

surprise you to learn just how much to

make this Cherry Jam for instance for

every kilo of fruit you use you need 1

kg of sugar

too the sugar is added in with the fruit

which is cooking away and leav big

copper

[Music]

bows the next ingredient is

pectin it will help thicken the liquid

into a jellylike substance giving the

mixture that familiar jam-like

texture

this will be added to the fruit along

with lemon juice and the whole

combination is cooked down further

still after 15 minutes the chef will

take a sample the sample is checked for

a specific sugar level and consistency

before it's ready for bottling

[Music]

the hot fruity preserve is poured into

the waiting funnel which will take it to

the bottling plant on the floor

Below in this part of the factory

freshly clean jars pass under the tap

continually and a measured quantity of

the jam is

released as soon as it's in the jars

they're sent directly to to the capping

machine hot steam is included as the top

is put on each jar and there's a good

reason for

[Music]

this after they've been closed the jars

are sent straight to the refrigerator as

they cool quickly a vacuum is created

inside the jar which seals it tight if

it's unopened each jar of jam will stay

fresh for up to 2

years finally any e strange ham is

washed off the jars and they're sent on

to receive their traditional

labels so from the tree to the factory

to a slice of bread near you preserving

fruit in this way ensures the treats

like Cherry Jam can be enjoyed long

after the fruit has left the

trees

[Music]

this is not just a flower for

Valentine's Day this is a rose and it's

big business buying and selling flowers

is a massive Global industry and osmia

Market in Holland is the biggest

supplier in the world it's the size of

200 football pitchers making at the

biggest commercial property anywhere on

the

planet every morning hundreds of trucks

lores and vans arrive from all over

Europe their fragile cargo consists of

over 20 million cut flowers and potted

plants once they've been unloaded

they're stored in refrigerated

warehouses to keep track of who's buying

and selling detailed information is

assigned to the individual Lots in each

shipment they're then loaded onto these

carriages to be taken to the auction

rooms

with the paperwork complete hundreds of

workers organize the carriages into

orderly cues and join them

[Music]

up this Trolley system is what helps

almir's huge operation run so

smoothly from the moment the auctions

begin till the last flowers are sold at

night these carts will trundle through

the vast warehouses there's over 16.2 km

of track in here and their job is to

bring the carriages to one place the

auction

room in the course of a year over 1.7

billion roses more than 600 million

tulips and millions of other assorted

flowers and pot plants are sold here

quality control is vital to osa's

success with so many plants on offer the

buyers must be able to assess the

produce quickly experts at osmia take

samples from each seller and grade them

everything from color and smell to the

plant's Frailty is assessed the buyers

depend on this Vital Information for

making their

decisions once they're armed with the

fact they can start

shopping the flowers are wheeled past on

the carriages and a display tells the

buyers what the plants are who grew them

and their value but unlike normal

auctions bids are made as the price goes

down not

up like any auction the tricket ere is

timing If you bid too early you may pay

too much if you wait too long for a

lower price the flowers might sell out

it's not for the

faint-hearted

mistakes can be made but most of the

buyers here are experienced

operators all the bidding information is

fed to the master salesman he will then

assign the buyer's information to the

plants as they leave the

hall the staff attached the information

to the carriages so the plants can be

delivered to the right L for

transportation

using motorized trolleys a different

team can now deliver the flowers

directly to the buyer

van using the stickers that have been

placed with each lot after they were

bought the drivers are able to find the

right

buyer

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all the buyers have to do now is check

their delivery tallies with what they've

paid for any plants that are damaged or

not right can be sent back but it falls

well it can be loaded up and delivered

to their

stores hundreds of lores leave this

Depot every day to stock florists all

over

Europe for some flowers however the

journey is far longer to ensure they

aren't damaged on their travels they're

wrapped in a protective layer of

cellophane before they're shipped

off osmia attracts buyers from all over

the globe and some of these flowers are

destined for some very exclusive vases

in countries Halfway Around the

World these shipments are loaded onto

planes in the evening and by morning can

be as as far away as Moscow or even

Tokyo so the next time you're buying a

bouquet it's highly likely that it may

have made the long journey To You by The

ere Flower

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Market

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