Flowers Without Plastics

On Saturday, November 29, Embrace the Earth kicked off the Flowers Without Plastic campaign in Brussels, a campaign that seeks to reduce and eliminate single-use plastic wrapping from flower bouquets. In this first stage, we aim to convince local shops to reduce and eliminate plastic from flowers so that large supermarkets can join in the near future. 

Plastic waste has become a major global concern. Its accumulation in landfills and ecosystems such as forests and oceans represents a serious problem, as it can remain intact for centuries. Many wild animals can become entangled in large fragments of plastic, or it can break down into microplastics that marine animals mistake for food, thus incorporating them into the food chain. [1]

The European Union produces tens of millions of tons of plastic packaging waste every year; plastic packaging represents a significant portion of the waste problem in Europe. Reducing plastic packaging is a regulatory and environmental priority at the European level. [2]

Belgium has recycling rates above the European average, but the country and region still generate significant amounts of packaging waste (plastic accounts for around 19% of the weight of packaging in Belgium). This shows that there is room to reduce waste generation at the source (for example, by replacing materials). [3]

The floristry industry widely uses plastic covers, hydration films, foams, and plastic tapes; industry studies and guides indicate that these items are a recurring source of waste and that compostable alternatives exist, such as kraft paper, pulp boxes, or hydration solutions based on renewable fibers. [4]

Globally, only a very small fraction of manufactured plastic comes from recycled material, and most plastic remains virgin; therefore, reducing use (and not just recycling) is key to a smaller climate and waste footprint. [5]

Would you like to support our initiative? Sign the petition. With it, we can convince local shops to eliminate plastic wrapping on flowers.