BFA respond to Church Synod motion
The British Florist Association has issued a statement addressing sustainability, floral foam, and imported flowers ahead of a proposed Church of England vote.
In response to the news about the Church of England's upcoming motion, The British Florist Association recognises the Church of England’s desire to address environmental concerns within churches, churchyards, and cemeteries, and we welcome thoughtful, informed discussion around sustainability in floristry.
The BFA’s position is grounded in being pro-choice, pro-fact, pro-research, and pro-innovation. Floristry is a skilled, practical profession, and meaningful progress is best achieved by enabling informed decision-making rather than introducing blanket bans that risk unintended consequences.
The floristry industry is continually evolving. Across the supply chain – from flower growing and importing, to mechanics such as floral foam, to waste management – there has been significant investment and innovation in recent years. Growers, suppliers, and manufacturers are actively working to reduce environmental impact while ensuring products and systems remain fit for professional use.
This includes relatively recent routes, introduced over the past two years, for floral waste to be processed into nutrient-rich compost that can be returned to the horticulture sector, supporting more circular growing systems.
In relation to floral foam specifically, it is important to recognise that manufacturers supplying the UK market are themselves operating to high sustainability standards, including carbon neutral production and zero waste to landfill.
Alongside this, there has been substantial investment in research and development, resulting in new foam products designed to reduce environmental impact. Further innovation is ongoing, and any approach that does not allow for continued progress risks preventing future improvements from being adopted.
An outright ban on floral foam would have a profound impact on livelihoods across the sector. The UK florist industry alone is worth over £1 billion annually, supporting thousands of predominantly small, independent businesses.
Many florists rely on foam for certain types of work, particularly funeral and commemorative designs where structure, hydration, and reliability are critical. A blanket ban risks removing practical options before viable alternatives are universally available, placing further strain on businesses already operating in a challenging economic climate.
We are also concerned that blanket restrictions could inadvertently limit future innovation. Progress in floristry has always come through adaptation and improvement, not prohibition.
With regard to imported flowers, the BFA believes it is essential to avoid oversimplified assumptions. Imported does not automatically mean unsustainable. Many flowers grown overseas are cultivated without additional heat or artificial light, often resulting in a lower carbon footprint than flowers grown under glass in northern Europe.
Global flower production also supports employment, education, healthcare, and long-term community investment. At the same time, many European growers operate highly efficient systems, with some achieving carbon neutral or even carbon negative production.
The BFA strongly believes that sustainability in floristry must be evidence-led, nuanced, and developed in partnership with those who understand the realities of the profession. We encourage industry-wide collaboration – including growers, suppliers, florists, and organisations such as the Church of England – to support informed choices that balance environmental responsibility, innovation, and the livelihoods of those working across the floral sector.
Sustainability is not a single decision, but an ongoing process – and one the floristry industry is committed to progressing responsibly, together.
