Single Use Plastics... The Waste Problem Hiding in Floristry
Floristry is a business that celebrates the beauty of nature, yet behind the petals and posies, the industry has a not so pretty problem... single use plastics! From plastic wrap and cable ties to floral foam and cellophane, these materials have long been the go to tools for speed, ease, and presentation. But at what cost?
Plastics don’t just disappear. Over time, they break into microplastics, which linger in soil and waterways and can enter the food chain. Wildlife often mistakes plastic for food, which can lead to injury or death.
Floral foam, plastic sleeves, and single-use ties are especially problematic because they are rarely recycled due to contamination with organic matter or water. This means that even small items from floristry can have a big environmental footprint.
Where Plastics Show Up in Floristry
- Cellophane wrapping around bouquets and a cellophane bubble holding the water.
- Plastic pots and sleeves for transporting and displaying flowers.
- Plastic corsage boxes
- Floral foam (like Oasis) used in arrangements—non-biodegradable and toxic when broken down.
- Plastic based ribbons, tags, and ties used for securing and finishing products.
- Plastic card picks
While many of these items are marketed as convenient or essential, most are used once and discarded, contributing to landfill waste and microplastic pollution.
In Australia alone, millions of plastic-wrapped flower arrangements are sold every year, and much of that packaging ends up in the bin within hours of delivery.
The Environmental Cost
Why It Matters
What We're Doing at Bloom & Brush
Plastic wrap and floral foam can take hundreds of years to break down, if at all.
When discarded improperly, these materials can leach chemicals into soil and waterways.
Wildlife often mistake soft plastics for food, leading to injury or death.
Floristry byproducts (plastic sleeves, foam, rubber bands) are rarely recycled due to contamination and volume.
It’s a hard truth: an industry built on the appreciation of nature often leaves a trail of non-biodegradable waste behind.
We believe beautiful blooms shouldn’t come at the expense of the planet. Here’s how we’re working to reduce single-use plastic in our floristry studio:
Minimal plastic packaging: We source flowers with as little plastic wrapping as possible and encourage our growers and suppliers to do the same.
Reused where possible: Any plastic we do receive (sleeves, ties, pots) is reused wherever it’s safe and hygienic to do so.
Floral foam-free arrangements: We avoid using floral foam in our designs, opting for reusable mechanics like chicken wire, moss, or sustainable floral cages.
Compostable and recyclable materials: We choose kraft paper, jute string, fabric ribbons, and natural wraps over synthetic alternatives.
Educating customers: Through our packaging and messaging, we encourage recipients to compost what they can and return vases or containers to us for reuse.
As florists, we are in a unique position to lead by example. By choosing sustainable practices, we can influence the supply chain, educate customers, and preserve the natural world that inspires our work in the first place.
At Bloom & Brush, we’re not perfect, but we’re making conscious decisions every day to do better. Small steps, when taken consistently, lead to lasting change. And we believe our flowers are even more beautiful when they come with a clear conscience.