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Did you know that one block of floral foam is equal to 10 plastic shopping bags?

Floral foam - those green blocks of sponge-like foam that is also known as Oasis - is much-loved by florists for it's convenience. But, whether you’re a professional florist or simply sending a get-well-soon bouquet to a loved one, have you ever considered the environmental impact of floral foam?

Unfortunately, floral foam contains the same amount of plastic as 10 plastic shopping bags, is non-biodegradable, non-recyclable and toxic for both humans and animals. It's such an issue that the RHS is to ban the water-absorbing block from all of its garden and horticultural shows that are taking place in 2021.

Floral foam was invented by product designer V.L Smithers (founder of OASIS®) 60 years ago. Ever since, it’s been an essential tool in floral design by making the process of arranging flowers simpler, speedier and more creative.

It's so useful to florists because it's a water source (remarkably, it holds up to 50x its weight in water) and stabiliser that keeps your bunch looking fresh and pert for up to 12 days.

Better still, it’s lightweight, durable and easy to cut and mould. This makes it easier to transport arrangements to the church/marquee/doorstep in one piece, saving time, money and any water sloshing about along the way.

Floral foam is contributing to the growing crisis of plastic of pollution. Thanks to its mossy texture, green hue and the fact that it's used with flowers, it can be easily mistaken as a natural product.

In reality, it’s made from synthetic, non-recyclable plastic and is created using a combination of carbon black, formaldehyde and phenolic foam, which are all toxic.

Though it crumbles, floral foam doesn’t fully dissolve in water or degrade in landfill or soil. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller micro-plastics. These can take thousands of years to completely revert into natural elements and are a real menace for the environment by contaminating our marine life and food chains.

"Floral foam uses micro-plastics and is currently non-recyclable; with this in mind we have come to the decision to ban the use of floral foam at RHS Shows from 2021 and have asked that floral designers at RHS Shows this year trial alternative products where possible," says Helen Pettit, Director of Shows at RHS.

It’s hard to dispose of environmentally and can seriously contaminate compost, garden waste and water when its fragments end up in the wrong place. So, here’s what you need to know about its disposal:

The last is currently the best environmental practice for safely disposing of leftover water from floral foam. If you pour it down the sink, loo or into a drain, only a percentage of the micro-plastics will be captured through sewage processing. The rest weave their way through the filter and remain in water that's then used to fertilise farmland. Or, it contaminates our marine life by reaching rivers, streams and eventually oceans.

Here are a few eco-friendly suggestions and tips…

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