I am often asked what it means to be an eco-friendly florist. At “Fleurs de Monaco” being an eco- friendly florist means we work to minimize the resources we use while minimizing waste. Being an eco-friendly florist means adopting practices and principles that prioritize sustainability and minimize negative environmental impacts throughout the floral industry. We also try to be as socially responsible as possible.
I’d like to share what led me to eliminate floral foam from my work. And I’m proud to say that we never use floral foam at “Fleurs de Monaco”. Here’s why I gave up floral foam…
A large contributor to waste in the floral design industry is the use of floral foam, sometimes called Oasis (a brand name, like Pampers). Most florists rely heavily on this product, cutting bricks of the green, spongy foam to fit into containers such as vases, urns, and compotes to provide a foundation to build the arrangement and a water source for the arrangement. The foam is soaked in water before flowers are added to provide a water source for the flowers. Florists insert the foliage and flower stems in the foam to keep the stems in place. This makes both design and transport easier, because the stems stay put.
But what the heck is floral foam?
Great question, and one without an easy-to-find answer. It first was patented in various forms in the 1940s and the 1950s, with the first form of Oasis patent here. Reading the patent applications, floral foam was being proposed to replace methods such as using sphagnum moss, cedar, or shredded newspaper as a foundation for flowers. In technical terms, it’s an open cell phenol-formaldehyde foam.
At “Fleurs de Monaco”, we try to create as little waste as possible, so eliminating floral foam was one of the first steps we took toward reducing the trash we create.
However, despite its popularity, floral foam poses environmental concerns. Traditional floral foam is non-biodegradable and made from non-recyclable plastic materials. When disposed of, it contributes to plastic waste that takes hundreds of years to break down in the environment. The manufacturing process of floral foam also involves the use of harmful chemicals and emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can have negative health and environmental impacts.
As a conscious consumer, I try to avoid products that require using hazardous chemicals in their manufacture. But moreover, I don’t want to expose myself or my crew to hazardous materials. While the formaldehyde is present only in small amounts in the final product, the way that floral foam is prepared for use by florists is the concerning part. Typically, florists cut the floral foam to fit the container it will be used in, then secure it with floral tape. Some florists soak the whole bricks, then cut them after soaking. But many florists cut the bricks before soaking, which releases a floral foam dust that is easily inhaled.
But beyond the chemical composition of floral foam, floral foam is a single-use item, meaning it ends up in the garbage after it’s used just once. At flower shops they use cases and cases of floral foam each week. At “Fleurs de Monaco”, we try to create as little waste as possible, so eliminating floral foam was one of the first steps we took toward reducing the trash we create.
What about recent claims about biodegradable floral foam? Oasis brand is touting a new formula with “Enhanced Biodegradability.” It states that this means that it has been shown “to biodegrade 100 percent within 567 days in biologically active landfill conditions.” The problem is that landfills are not designed to be biologically active. A biologically active landfill would be a stinky, seeping one so landfills are designed to be anaerobic, inactive environments. Landfills are designed to store garbage, not to decompose it.
This raises concerns about the effectiveness of biodegradable floral foam in real-world landfill conditions. Additionally, even if the floral foam were to biodegrade, it still releases microplastics and potentially harmful substances into the environment during the process.
Making the decision to give up floral foam is not only about reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact, but it’s also an opportunity to inspire creativity and innovation in floral design. Embracing sustainable practices encourages us to think outside the foam and discover new techniques that are both environmentally friendly and visually stunning.
By embracing eco-friendly practices, we contribute to the overall well-being of the environment and work towards a more sustainable future for the floral industry. Being an eco-friendly florist not only benefits the planet but also appeals to customers who prioritize environmentally conscious choices, allowing you to make a positive impact while providing beautiful floral arrangements.
