The Flower Team and the PCC require that all flower arrangements in St Martin’s Church minimise damage to the environment.  In particular: 

• Floral foam (sometimes known as oasis) uses microplastics and is currently non-recyclable.  Therefore we follow the Royal Horticultural Society’s guidance (https://www.rhs.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/policies/shows-sustainability) and do not use floral foam in St Martin’s Church.

• Single-use plastic (e.g. plastic tape) is also not used.

Also we follow the Church of England’s policy (details here):

• promoting the use of local, seasonal and fully biodegradable/compostable flowers and foliage

• wherever possible, sourcing flowers and foliage locally and seasonally for use in worship and church life

• eliminating the use of floral foam and all similar non-biodegradable and non-reusable products and techniques, while rediscovering traditional and environmentally-friendly methods of presentation and display.

October 2023
C of E policy added in April 2026