Why you won't catch me using floral foam...

Floral foam has long been a staple in the floral industry, praised for making floral arrangements faster and more convenient. Many florists rely on it for its ease of use, but as awareness grows about the environmental and health impacts of floral foam, it's becoming clear that we need to rethink its place in our industry.

Plastics and Pollution

Floral foam is a type of single-use plastic, and its environmental footprint is staggering. Each block of foam contains as much plastic as 10 plastic shopping bags. 

After it's used, floral foam can take thousands of years to break down, and as it decomposes, it releases microplastics into the environment. These tiny particles wash into our waterways and have been found in fish, our food, and even in our own bodies. There are numerous studies and articles about the known and unknown potential impacts on nature, animals and human health. A collection of horror stories...

As floral foam breaks apart in flower arrangements, it contaminates the flowers and foliage, making them unsuitable for composting. As a result, both the foam and the flowers end up in landfill, adding to the growing waste crisis.

Toxic Chemicals

Floral foam is not just an environmental hazard—it's also toxic. Made from chemicals including phenol and formaldehyde, it poses serious health risks. 

Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues with prolonged exposure. Worse still, these chemicals leach into the environment when the foam is disposed of, contaminating our waterways and harming aquatic life.

To extend the life of cut flowers, floral foam is chemically treated to maintain a pH balance. But this process involves additional chemicals, further impacting the delicate pH balance of ecosystems when the foam is discarded.