Why I Don’t Use Flower Foam

Floral Art For All
Written By Susan McLeary
 
 

Sustainable floristry is certainly not a new concept, but over the last ten years or so, we have seen awareness and interest in the topic increase. As the larger culture began to question established systems and the impact our everyday actions have on the earth and its people, so did florists.

Of course, many florists had a sustainably minded approach from their first day working with flowers, but many of us, myself included, were taught floristry in a more conventional way. In my early days as a florist, I accepted the methods that were shown to me.

But as I began to explore the culture of floristry, I soon realized that there is a long, rich, global tradition to explore. There are methods and mechanics that work in accordance with nature, there are ways to support responsible floriculture, and there are so many ways to reduce the waste that results from our work.

 

UNPACKING SUSTAINABILITY IN FLORISTRY

Sustainability is a nuanced, complex, multilayered topic. Generally speaking it has three pillars: economic, environmental, and social. In floristry, we have a lot to examine.

The ethics behind our work include:

  • the health and welfare of the people that grow and process flowers

  • the environmental impact of floriculture, including the chemicals that are used in production

  • the carbon footprint that is created as our flowers travel the globe to reach us

  • the waste our work leaves behind

 
 

Before we dive into unpacking sustainably-minded floristry and beyond, you should know that this article concludes with a list of my favorite resources, materials, mechanics and a group of extremely inspirational sustainably-minded florists. You can scroll down to that list or click here to jump to the sustainable-florist’s ultimate resource list.

INTENTIONAL INNOVATION TOWARDS NATURE-FOCUSED FLORISTRY

Over the last 7 years or so, as I’ve narrowed my focus on teaching and writing about floristry, I have become very interested in how I can best participate in positive change. I followed my unique curiosity, and found myself attracted to processes and mechanics. I began to test ways to work as a florist in a less wasteful, more nature-focused way.

I acknowledge that as a teacher and writer, I am operating from a privileged place: I don’t execute events every week, I don’t feel the same pressure that florists who have busy retail shops or event studios do. But I've certainly been there, ( more on this below ) and I know that hustle well. Now that I’m outside of that busyness, I feel even more drawn to testing and presenting findings that will help time-strapped working florists employ gentler practices.

This is the aspect of sustainable floristry that I feel most interested in and best equipped to contribute to.

I aim to challenge conventional floristry methods and highlight alternatives that will help florists create artful, relevant, profitable work that is also environmentally gentle.

REUSABLE or COMPOSTABLE

Years ago, I created a little criteria mantra to keep my studio on track: “reusable” or “compostable”.

I focus on design mechanics and materials that fit into one or both of those categories. Although I do use floral wire, and a small amount of tape, and floral glue in my work, the resulting waste from these materials is minimal. For the work that has the highest potential for waste (event centerpiece work and large scale installation work for instance), I reach for reusable and/or compostable design components and avoid single-use plastic products- including flower foam.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FLORAL DESIGN MECHANICS

You may have noticed that “biodegradable” isn’t part of the mantra. There’s a reason. After years of sorting through conflicting messages, I’ve learned that biodegradability is a bit of a misnomer: the designation makes one think that a product will quickly break down into harmless elements and ultimately disappear. Often, this is not the case.

It’s important to know that all compostable products are biodegradable but not all biodegradable products are compostable. Compostability is what we should really be after. Compostable materials have the capability to break down completely into non-toxic and often beneficial components when placed in the correct conditions. Biodegradability simply means a product has the capability to break down into smaller pieces by exposure to bacteria or other living organisms in the correct conditions.

Put simply: just because something can break down into smaller bits, if those bits are still made of harmful elements, they can still negatively impact the environment.

In the case of non-compostable, single-use plastic and foam products labeled as biodegradable, they can break down over time- if the conditions of the landfill that they are disposed of allow for that, but they do not break down into beneficial elements, and they are not inert.

Furthermore, conventional landfills are widely known to be tomb-like and even highly biodegradable products can remain trapped within these, unchanged, for years. If/when they do break down, they just degrade into smaller pieces. Biodegradable items placed in landfill also produce methane and carbon dioxide as they degrade- the gasses that directly contribute to climate change. Conventional landfills can release these dangerous gasses into the environment, and water that collects in landfills can pick up harmful chemicals and release them into the environment as leachate- contaminating the surrounding soil and groundwater. Biodegradable products are just fodder for these issues.

To further complicate, there is a paradox to biodegradable products meant for landfill disposal- the faster they are designed to break down, the faster the microbes that feed on them produce greenhouse gasses. If the landfill they are placed in isn't designed to capture these gasses, this can actually result in more harmful gasses being released into the environment.

The composting process, on the other hand, is refreshingly different. The process, defined by the EPA: “Composting is a controlled, aerobic (oxygen-required) process that converts organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch through natural decomposition.” Compostable materials do not contribute to methane production because methane producing microbes are not active in the presence of oxygen. Put simply, compostable products don’t contain harmful ingredients, don’t break down into harmful components, and don’t contribute to environmental harm.

 
 
 
 
 

HOW and WHY REUSABLES REPLACE FOAM IN MY FLORAL STUDIO

Another important reality to acknowledge is that flower foam must be submerged in water prior to use. This “soaking water” quickly turns viscous and clouded- heavy with the particulate matter that sloughs off of the foam bricks. The most common disposal method for this microplastic slurry is to release it down the drain, where it is sent off to our water treatment facilities, and ultimately, boomerangs back to us- flowing from our faucets. Filtration systems can capture and remove much of the microplastic particulate, but more and more studies show that we are ingesting microplastics everyday- a grim reality with ramifications yet to be fully understood. It’s also important to note that the microbes needed to break down biodegradable plastic products are not present in water, so these items travel in water environments unchanged. To read about the microplastic crisis, see the resources list at the end of this article.

I do recognize that my daily non-florist lifestyle choices have the potential to create much more waste, greenhouse gasses, and overall negative environmental impact than my floral activities. Even so, I think it’s vitally important that we understand the issues and as a profession, become more discerning about what we condone and promote. Because this is such a complex issue, I have completely removed biodegradable plastic products from my arsenal.

I have decided to focus on compostable and reusable products as often as possible.

With these two criteria as my focus, I have eliminated certain products and practices in my work. I have stopped buying biodegradable petroleum-based plastic products such as bags and liners, I’ve stopped painting fresh materials, ( as the paint turns something natural and compostable into something single-use and landfill bound), and I have stopped using floral foam.

 
 
 
 

Environmental issues aside, there are more reasons why I’ve stopped using floral foam…

WHY IS EVERYTHING SO FOAMY?

I fell in love with floristry many years ago, when a friend asked me to arrange her wedding flowers. I connected to the medium instantly, and became obsessed with the idea of becoming a florist. I began to explore the world of floristry. I read every book I could find on the subject and scoured the internet for educational opportunities.

After several years exploring on my own, I decided to take formal design classes and found a certification program in my area. I don’t regret participating in the program, as I did learn a fair amount of botanical nomenclature, wiring techniques, and care and handling of flowers, but looking back, foam reliance was woven tightly into that program.

All but one of the centerpiece lessons in the program included foam. We were not introduced to any alternative mechanics. We were not introduced to the vast world of natural supports and armatures, we were not shown how to use chicken wire, and reusable mechanics such as flower frogs were not discussed…we didn’t even touch on the most foundational method to arrange and secure flowers- the spiral hand-tied bouquet!

As a student florist, navigating an entirely new medium and profession, I accepted what I was shown, but felt there must be more out there. I used foam while I continued to explore my new passion. I was introduced to a wider world of floristry through the certification program, including an annual regional conference.

I was told it was THERE that I would see more and learn more about floristry. I’d be exposed to innovative ideas and design solutions. I attended numerous workshops and presentations over the years, and once again, the work was very foam heavy. It found its way into everything: bouquet work, headpiece work, all aspects of wedding and event work from cake toppers to elevated centerpiece work, large scale floral installation work, sympathy work, and everyday flower shop work. It was cut, shaved, shaped, and shoved into every possible receptacle, and for every possible situation. Floral foam was absolutely everywhere.

Also during this time, I found work at a busy, full-service flower shop. We did funeral work, weddings and events and everyday work- largely based on wire service orders. Here too, foam found its way into nearly every design.

I began to question why foam use was so prevalent. Why weren't we discussing or using other methods?

Why were the workshops, stage programs and trend forecasts in industry periodicals sponsored by foam manufacturers and so focused on foam reliant designs? Why were the wire service designs and the selections in the sympathy catalogs we used in the flower shop so foam focused?

I don’t want to wade too far into the political waters of the floral world, but I can only imagine that there were financial reasons for this interconnectedness. It felt like indoctrination to me, because foam was suggested in many situations where it was completely inappropriate, and I resented it. It felt ( and to some extent still feels ) as if industry leaders were forcing foam on us by continually choosing to push foam-focused design ideas.

I realize there’s little profit to be made in sharing how to make a natural armature or reusable wire frame, but these are the techniques of a professional florist! Additionally, there’s a question I’ve had for years; one that continues to needle me. Foam is the easiest medium to use- cut a stem, insert into the foam, and it is fixed in place. Why do floral schools and professional certification programs continue to focus so heavily on this medium? Why not focus on teaching and testing students on the handiwork skills of floristry that deserve and require practice and mastery?

Are single-use convenience products professional?

The insidiousness of foam is what troubled me then and continues to trouble me now. Since its invention, this petroleum-based, single-use convenience product has found its way into every part of floristry, replacing and largely erasing other methods. It’s created popular, lasting design styles that are only realistically replicable with its use. Prominent floral design educators continue to serve it up as the "professional" florists’ primary partner.

Floristry is a rich art form with depth and history. If we strive to achieve excellence in our craft, or if we strive to contribute to progressing our profession, shouldn't we challenge our dependence on this single-use design medium?

Shouldn't a “professional” florist have a wide array of solutions available to them to appropriately meet any design challenge? Forget for a moment the environmental impact of foam use; what I am circling around here is our profession's stubborn dependence on this convenience product to the exclusion of other methods.

If we continue to lean on this convenience product to create our work and neglect to pass on the handiwork skills of traditional floristry, are we really representing floristry well?

Further, to elevate our industry in the eyes of the public, and participate in positive change, it is essential for us to react to the increased awareness around the damaging effects of single use plastics. It’s clear that single-use petroleum based plastics are on their way out. Plastic microbeads, used in the health and beauty industries have been banned in the US since 2015, and polystyrene foam food packaging, plastic shopping bags, plastic straws, and plastic utensils are banned in many US cities and states. The public wants and deserves flowers served up without a side of throw away plastics.

I think we owe it to the profession and to upcoming designers to openly share all the various mechanics and handiwork traditions of floristry. This is how we truly communicate the richness of our profession and promote professionalism.

 
 
 
 

A world of alternatives to explore

As I progressed as a florist, I began to find myself fascinated by the pain points of the profession. I’d identify an issue and become obsessed with testing and tweaking until I had a viable solution to offer. This obsession took over my work and led to a total focus on teaching floristry instead of practicing floristry.

The more I taught, the more I tested, the more I became interested in uncovering solutions for common floristry problems. As the awareness of sustainability increased, I became focused on offering solutions that allow florists to do the relevant, artful, desirable work they want to make, in a more healthy, simple, nature-focused and environmentally responsible way.

I’m offering these thoughts out of love for the profession of floristry. I want it to thrive and continue. I want the public to see us as informed, responsive, astute members of society.

But! I do understand why foam is so tempting. It’s incredibly easy to use, it’s dependable, it’s trustworthy. Foam addresses several pain points that florists have. It allows for sturdy, spill-free transport of floral arrangements. It provides a way to design large, gravity-defying, 360 degree designs that can hang, perch, or cling to practically any structure or surface. It allows one to create over the top large scale installations, reliable, drip-free sympathy work, and impressive elevated arrangements. I’d argue that it has even created work and allowed for an aesthetic that has taken on cultural significance.

As I said above, it has found its way into everything that florists do. And over the years, many have been convinced that it is necessary to be able to reliably create the work we want to create.

I realize that not everyone will completely eliminate foam from their design arsenal; and I understand that in a few cases, it is currently the best design solution.

I’m not here to be an absolutist or shame people, I’m here to help shed light on the world of alternatives one can explore. The alternatives and solutions that busy florists need don’t get enough airtime in my opinion!

In an effort to support positive forward movement, I’ve isolated several common floral issues that people often address with foam. I’m excited to share links, resources ( many free ), and inspiration to help address these. I hope these ideas encourage you to explore the many ways to approach your floral work.

There are so many inventive solutions out there, and more introduced everyday. Please leave a comment below! Tell me what resources are inspiring and helpful to you. And as always, feel free to reach out to me for more support.

 

The Sustainably-Minded Florist’s Ultimate Resource List

01 - Transporting foam-free work for retail and event florists:

02 - Foam-free centerpieces

For low and elevated centerpieces and floral arrangements, look for vessels that are at least 5” deep, preferably with a lip that reduces spillage during transport, like the Accent Decor “Orion”compote.

Vessels:

Mechanics & technique inspiration:

03 - Large scale floral installations, wedding ceremony flowers, aisle decor:

04 - Cascade & spiral bouquets

05 - Long & low or “meadow” arrangements 

Links to additional useful research and educational resources:

Florists I look to for inspiration:

These are people that either share sustainable mechanics, design in a nature-focused way, or have developed sustainable design solutions for the floral industry. These are but a few of the amazing working florists contributing to this movement! 

 

Ready to go further?

For more on the hydration chamber, and how to make your own floral wearables, check out my book “The Art of Wearable Flowers,” and my extensive library of self-paced online classes.

 

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Susan McLeary
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