swop out those intimate green block with these floral froth alternatives for a more earth - friendly flower musical arrangement .
You ’ve in all probability seen the unripe blocks known as flowered foam before , and maybe used them yourself to carry flush in office , but there are good cause to expend floral froth alternatives . Recent scientific studies have found that floral foam can harm the environment and cause respiratory issues .
Major floral events such as the Royal Horticultural Society ’s Chelsea Flower Show and the Slow Flowers Summit have aver off floral foam . Instead , florists progressively lean into floral foam alternativesto project their pieces . Here ’s why and how you may , too .
Credit: Africa Studio / Adobe Stock
What Is Floral Foam?
Floral foam is a lightweight , water system - absorbent material that can be placed at the bottom of vessel to make a foot for floral designs . Rita Feldmann , founder of the Sustainability Floristry connection base in Australia , said , “ Both florists and consumers have long believe the greenish , crumbly foam to be a natural mathematical product . ” In fact , floral foam is a character of plastic .
In the fifties , Vernon Smithers of Smithers - Oasis patent the cloth for use in floral design . haven floral foam chop-chop gained popularity with professional florist shop . “ It ’s very chintzy and easy to use . You simply cut it , soak it in water , and pry the stems in , ” Feldmann enunciate .
The product is utilitarian forarranging flowersthat might founder or dislocate outward in vessel otherwise . “ Its conception madefloral design accessibletoinexperienced arrangerswho could n’t get the stems to continue where they desire them to , ” she bring .
Credit: Hopkins Studio
Is Floral Foam Safe?
Although floral foam is made from ingredients that areknown carcinogens , such as methanal , only trace amounts of these toxic chemical substance remain in the finished ware . The biggest concerns around floral foam revolve around microplastics .
Microplastics and the Environment
The major problem with floral froth is what materialise when it ’s minded of , as it break down into petite particles called microplastics that can remain in the surroundings for 100 of year . scientist are becoming increasingly implicated with the health risk posed by microplastics in the air and piss , both to human beings and other creatures .
A field published by the RMIT University in Science of the Total Environment in 2019 was the first to show that microplastics from flowered foam both physically and chemically harm a range of freshwater and marine species that swallowed the subatomic particle .
Microplastics and Human Health
Another late written report by researchers at the Hull York Medical School was the first to break microplastics in human lungs . The results indicate that breathing in microplastics is a significant seed of exposure . Airborne microplastics come from floral froth and product such as feeding bottle , promotional material , clothing , and cosmetics . However , exactly how these microplastics affect humans and other creature is n’t yet know .
Until further enquiry can hopefully supply more brainstorm into the dangers of microplastics from floral froth and other sources , florists like Tobey Nelson of Tobey Nelson Events + Design , LLC . , are concerned about breathe in debris bring out when working with the product . Although Oasis recommends that florists apply masquerade party while handling their merchandise , many do n’t .
Tobey Nelson
“ I just hope that in 10 or 15 years they do n’t name a syndrome ‘ foam lung ’ or something like that . ”
Florists may choose to use floral froth because it ’s familiar and well-fixed , but Nelson points out that , in addition to the personal health risks , considering the greater good is also authoritative . “ Yes , it ’s inconvenient to recall yourreusable grocery bags in your motorcar , but we all need to let go of the contrivance mentality tohave a more sustainable future , ” say Nelson .
Floral Foam Alternatives
As awareness of flowered foam ’s negative encroachment farm , it ’s clear that acquire on the # nofloralfoam trend is a no - brainer . There are plenty of floral foam alternatives at your fingertip that are far more sustainable and secure to use . Here are some choices to look at forflower arrangements , large and small .
1. TerraBrick
Oasis now provide a in full compostable mathematical product called TerraBrick . The new merchandise is made from plant - based , renewable , natural coir and a compostable ring-binder . Like Oasis flowered foam , TerraBricks absorb water to keep flowers hydrous while supporting the bow in an arranging . Then , the coir - establish mathematical product can be composted and used in the garden safely .
2. Oshun Pouch
Another new pick is Oshun Pouch , created in 2020 by CEO Kirsten VanDijk of New Age Floral . The sac is filled with a compostable material that expands in water to support even the big casket spray , allege VanDijk .
3. Sideau AgraWool
This floral foam option , also sold by New Age Floral , is made from basalt rock fibers . It soaks in water to avail keep stem hydrous and in place . It add up in brick , tube , or square forms , but can be easily cut to the size of a vessel .
4. FloraGuppy
This footling orbit with holes for stems is made of a malleable ( and recyclable ) charge plate that , with the add-on of warm pee , can be reshape to suit your particular vase . They can be used on their own or combined for enceinte arrangements .
5. Floral Frogs
Made of metallic element , ceramic , or glass , floral Gaul are a timeless — and sustainable — solutionfor defend stems upright ( they prey floral foam by at least a couple of centuries ) . come out one in the bottom of a vase , securing it with a bit of putty if involve , and slip stanch into it .
6. Chicken Wire
create a “ pillow ” out of chicken conducting wire is an old floral invention trick . It work the same way as a floral frog , creating a structure to hold bloom stems . A eminence of caution : Chicken wire can scratch up the bottom of a vase , so do n’t expend it with your more treasured watercraft .
7. Decorative Pebbles
Filling a unclouded cylindric vase with cosmetic stones or beads is an specially pretty way to hold stems in spot . The stones also weigh down the vase to counteract the weight of any sullen stem and prevent it from tumble .
8. Moss
mainsheet moss ( readily available at floral and crafts shops ) or Spanish moss that you collect from outside can be compacted and shaped to create a radical for bow .
9. Wood Wool
You may know Sir Henry Wood wool , also call excelsior , as a wadding cloth , but floral designers are increasingly utilizing this biodegradable material . Wood wool works best when it ’s soaked in water system first , then contract and formed into the desired shape .
10. Floral Tape
flowered tape measure , a favorite tool of Los Angeles flowered designer Tabia Yapp , can help keep stem where you want them . Create a control grid over the top of a vase with this specialism , H2O - immune magnetic tape , and insert stems into the squares .
11. DIY Alternatives
Look around your business firm , and you may arrive up with originative agency to secure flowers with whatever is on hand , as VanDijk did when she made her first sustainable design for a garden golf club . Instead of floral foam , “ Icut a Citrullus vulgaris in halfand put a couple ofbirds of paradisein it , ” she allege . A Citrullus vulgaris plain wo n’t last as long as floral foam , but that ’s kind of the head . VanDijk says it worked perfectly for a purpose that only needed to obtain up for a 24-hour interval .
Carson Downing
Frequently Asked Questions
No , floral foam is not compostable or recyclable .
expert concur that placing it in landfill scraps is much better than washing it down the drainpipe or tote up it to yard waste material , where its microplastics enter the water system and garden soil .
filter out the water through a very fine mesh or tight - weave textile like an old peach towel or pillowcase to remove as many foam particle as possible from the body of water .
Wear mitt , a masquerade , and heart protection when working with flowered foam , along with a garment that has prospicient sleeve to protect your hide . When you are finished , wash out your hand thoroughly , even if you wore gloves .
Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk . National Cancer Institute .
Microplastics Are Everywhere but Are They Harmful?Nature .
uptake of Floral Foam Microplastics by Aquatic Animals . Science Direct .
Detection of Microplastics in Human Lung Tissue . Science Direct
What Are Microplastics?National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
Credit:Carson Downing
