Smithers Oasis ® are working on biodegradable floral foam and have several options now available on the market. Please read below the official product information from Smithers Oasis ®.
"OASIS® Bio Floral Foam Maxlife’s new bio foam formulation is designed for modern landfills and attracts microbes that break the foam down into methane, CO2 and organic matter. Testing based on the American Society for Testing (ASTM) and Materials standards shows that OASIS® Floral Foam Maxlife will biodegrade 51.5 percent within 365 days in biologically active landfill conditions, while also keeping flowers fresh up to 50 percent longer than other floral foams. Testing is ongoing and as biodegradation rates continue, further information will be released."
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers from Smithers Oasis ® Australia:
"What happens after 365 days?
Our current ASTM test results show that OASIS® Bio Floral Foam biodegrades 51.5 percent within 365 days. Given its immediate environmental benefits. We have been keen to bring this product to market as soon as we could, rather than waiting for further test results. We are confident in this product’s continued performance, and will continue to publish updates on the biodegradation rate as product testing continues."
"Do other floral foams biodegrade?
A brick of standard floral foam can be reduced to sand-like granules and is environmentally neutral (it has no harmful effects.) This degradation (and potential biodegradation) occurs over an unknown period of time — more than 100 years."
"When does the biodegradation process begin?
When the floral foam is put into the ground and comes into contact with microbes the process begins. This process will accelerate in a modern landfill."
"Will OASIS® Bio Floral Foam Maxlife compost?
OASIS® Bio Floral Foam Maxlife has not been tested for compostability and therefore no claims regarding compostability can be made at this time. We are working towards further formulations that allow for industrial composting, and further information will be released when new developments are made."
"Does it still look, feel and perform like the OASIS® Floral Foam I’m used to?
Yes – apart from the colour! We have removed the green dye from the Bio Floral Foam, meaning it is brown – this way users can tell it apart from our standard foam. The performance of the foam is not affected by its biodegradable formulation."
"Will OASIS® Bio Floral Foam Maxlife cost more?
Because there is a higher cost involved in producing the Bio Foam with its new formulation. It will be slightly more expensive to buy the new foam, with the added benefit of biodegradability."
This product can be recycled and will eventually degrade under the right circumstances. For more information, contact your local council or waste management centre about how to dispose of the product properly.
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Updated: July 2020
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For more information and resources about Floral Foam, read our other articles:
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