Church of England to vote on foam flower ban

The Church of England’s parliament is set to vote next month on a motion urging its places of worship to ban floral foam and other non-biodegradable products in a bid for greater environmental sustainability.

The proposed change specifically targets floral foam, a material widely used in arrangements but containing microplastics and being non-recyclable. This initiative forms part of a wider effort to make church practices more environmentally friendly.

Instead, churches would be encouraged to embrace eco-friendly practices, utilising their own gardens for displays, composting waste, and repurposing Sunday flowers for midweek services or donating them to care homes and hospitals. Parishioners could also be asked to contribute flowers from their gardens or pot plants from home, a suggestion believed to foster community spirit and reduce costs.

The Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend Martin Gorick, said General Synod members voting for his motion “will encourage all Church of England parishes, chaplaincies and cathedrals to join this growing ecumenical movement glorifying God through sustainable church flowers”.