Biodegradable – A material that can be broken down by microorganisms into organic matter. How long something takes to break down can depend on the material itself and conditions such as temperature and humidity. Even a banana skin, for example, can take up to two years to biodegrade!

The first floral foam was produced by the Smithers-Oasis Company in the 1950s. Floral foam is a single- use plastic foam. In addition to being able to support a flower or foliage stem, it can support more than 50 times its weight in water. Aquatic organisms are harmed when floral foam is consumed, according to a study published in 2019. A floral foam structure, like a honeycomb structure, consists of chambers connected by passageways that allow water to pass through. The cellular structure of a plant’s stem can also be found in floral foam. Water moves directly into the plant’s water vessels as a result of a stem being cut. Although you can re-soak floral foam, we would not recommend it, as it will be full of bacteria from the flower. This will be passed onto the next batch of flowers affecting flower life. Smithers-Oasis is a globally successful top 200 North East Company developing floral foam products and are world renowned as the market leaders in their industry. We are very proud to share with you that Smithers Oasis UK / OASIS® Floral Products are now certified to ISO9001:2015, Quality Management System by SGS. Author and florist, Arthur Parkinson, the protégé of gardener Sarah Raven, supports the RHS' decision in a move that aims to make RHS Shows 'as green as possible'.This is a plastic foam made with an additive that attracts microbe growth. This product is used as a source of energy by these organisms, which convert it into simpler compounds. Due to their high toxicity, ‘biodegradable’ plastics, which are frequently fragmentable, will be banned in Australia in 2022. The Smithers Oasis Floral Foam Maxlife and Midnight Floral Foam Maxlife are enhanced biodegradable products. The company recently announced that the products are Intertek-certified to biodegrade up to 75 percent in one year. The US Federal Trade Commission, on the other hand, does not approve of it. Plastics are typically produced from petrochemicals, but a new generation of plastics is being created using plant-based materials. That it was invented in 1954? That choosing the right density for stems makes designing easier and more secure? That nearly 400 different Smithers-Oasis foam products are available? That today’s OASIS foam biodegrades 100 percent (see more below)? OASIS® Floral Foam tends to cut easily and smoothly. So, you can cut in half, cut into chunks, round the edges or cut to suit your design. Biodegradable floral foam is a type of floral foam that is designed to break down over time. This means that it is safe for the environment and will not add to the pollution problem. Styrofoam flowers are a popular choice for fresh floral arrangements because they are inexpensive and easy to work with. However, these flowers are not biodegradable, and the decomposition time may be longer than those made of more sustainable materials. OASIS® Floral Foams, because they are biodegradable, can degrade in the environment over time and release small amounts of energy. As a result, they are more appealing to environmentally conscious shoppers. Biodegradable Floral Foam

First, cut your flower stems with either a sharp floral knife or floral scissors. By doing this, it allows the flower to soak up water easier. Cut stems at a sharp slant, so it slices through the floral foam like an arrow. This also helps the flower to grip and hold securely in the floral foam. Despite the fact that floral foam has been around for decades, recent scientific research has shown that it can be harmful to the environment. The resulting particles form microplastics, which can contaminate water supplies and harm aquatic life. We love this aspect of their service because it gives us the opportunity to see the positive effect on our deliveries.Dry floral foam can also be cut and shaped easily with a serrated knife or floral knife too. But remember, it doesn’t need to be soaked! For every commercial or wedding floral design project we complete, we arrange for a tree to be planted. But if you have any questions regarding how to dispose of floral foam, then please get in touch with our friendly team.

We are looking to hire a motivated Maintenance engineer to join an evolving team within our business. As the New Maintenance Engineer, you will form part of a supportive, day shift-based engineering team responsible for carrying out day to day preventative and reactive maintenance, on a variety of machinery and equipment. You will ensure all PPM tasks are completed on time and to the required standards. The ideal person will have a proven record, be able to build strong positive relationships and actively committed to individual and team success. You will be able to perform to a high level of accuracy, be meticulous and well organised.Yes, these are important. As are the tips on choosing, prepping and using floral foam efficiently you’ll find below.

With foam you get design stability and flexibility, a water source and efficiency. Which foam should you use? Whether you enjoy flower arranging in your spare time or consider yourself a keen crafter, it is likely you will come across OASIS® Floral Foam at some point in your creative journey. Or you may have already used it and would like to know more. If you need to remove a stem, simply clip it off at the edge of the foam. This preserves the integrity of the foam rather than leaving a hole. Prep your foam Photo: Sharon McGukin

Is Oasis Floral Foam Bad For The Environment?

There may be a bit of trial and error at first when putting flowers in floral foam, so if you need to remove a stem, clip it off at the edge of the foam, rather than completely removing the stem and leaving a hole. Use the float-soak method to hydrate floral foam with water that includes flower food. Lay the floral foam atop a basin of water and let it sink into the water by its own weight. Cutting flowers with a sharp knife opens the interior waterways. Clippers tend to press them together.