Our Sustainability Journey
Building a Strategy of Sustainability for Floral Foam & Floral Media
Launched OASIS® Floral Foam Maxlife, a product that significantly extends the freshness and vibrancy of cut flowers. Its super hydrating properties ensure that flowers live as long as, or even longer than, they would in a vase of water.
Launched the world’s first enhanced biodegradable floral foam, continuously improving its degradation rate as we refine our formulas. Ongoing and repeated tests, conducted by a third-party laboratory, ensure its efficacy. As regulations have evolved, our claim has shifted from “enhanced biodegradable” to simply “degradable.” This claim also varies by manufacturing location due to local manufacturing and sourcing.
Launched OASIS® NatureSource™ Biobased Floral Foam, made with 20% bio-based raw materials. (According to DIN EN 14021, this includes 20% bio-based ingredients, with 13% proven carbon content verified by DIN EN 16785-1 and tested by TÜV Rheinland). Despite its eco-friendly composition, it maintains the same properties as OASIS® Ideal Maxlife Floral Foam.
Launched OASIS® TerraBrick® Floral Media, made with plant-based, renewable natural coir and a compostable binder. This stable design base ensures very good flower life and superior water absorption. It can be re-watered to extend flower hydration and is reusable for plants. Patent pending.
Availability of Degradable OASIS® Floral Foam
The Americas
Produced in the U.S.A.
Products:
- OASIS® Floral Foam Maxlife
- OASIS® Midnight Floral Foam Maxlife
Claim: This product degrades by 75% within one year in an anaerobic environment (ASTM D5511)
Europe and Great Britain
Produced in England and Germany
Products:
- OASIS® Bio Floral Foam
- OASIS® Bio Floral Foam Maxlife
- OASIS® Bio Black Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife
Claim: This product degrades by 91% in 3 years in an anaerobic environment (ISO 15985)
Produced in France
Products:
- OASIS® EYCHENNE® Floral Foam
Claim: This product degrades by 89% in 3 years in an anaerobic environment (ISO 15985)
Asia-Pacific
Produced in Republic of Korea
Products:
- OASIS® Premium® ECO Floral Foam
- OASIS® Premium® Black ECO Floral Foam
- OASIS® Mini Deco Black ECO Floral Foam
Claim: This product degrades by 89% in 96 weeks in an anaerobic environment (ISO 15985)
OASIS® TerraBrick® Floral Media
- Certified OK compost HOME and OK compost INDUSTRIAL by TÜV Austria
- Tray is made from recycled materials and is recyclable
- Unique carton design
- Lock tab closure – no tape or glue
- Unbleached, kraft corrugate that can be recycled
- Usage instructions included to eliminate additional paper use
Cartons
In 2015 we began evaluating our ubiquitous foam cartons.
- Began conversion from bleached white to Kraft corrugate
- Evaluated weight of corrugate and needed usage
- Large portion of cartons are certified for sustainable sourcing
- Cartons are recyclable
Enhancing Flower Life
Following our global proprietary testing protocols, all OASIS® Floral Foams are tested for flower and foliage life, stem burn, and stem yellowing. OASIS® Floral Foams play a key role in extending the life of flowers, therefore reducing the waste and energy needed for growing and transport.
- Foams are tested throughout development
- Regional variations in water, pH, and raw materials are accommodated
- Regular global audits of OASIS® Floral Foams are conducted by our laboratories
Our Research and Technology efforts focus on developing more sustainable products and improving our manufacturing processes. Here is a snapshot of our emissions reductions at some of our largest manufacturing facilities, reflecting the decreases we achieved within each time period (not cumulative).
Scrap Reduction
Realizing that waste begins during manufacturing, we have refined our processes to maximize our yield from each batch of foam.
- Improved production methods.
- Over the past 10 years, we have had a global scrap reduction rate of 2.99% annually.
- Better utilization of raw materials.
- Have identified uses for scrap, taking some facilities to zero waste.
OASIS® Black Floral Foams
Though the original green OASIS® Floral Foam is a part of our heritage, we’ve converted many of our floral foams to a rich black color. Why has it become so popular? Unlike green floral foam which has to be fully covered to be invisible, black foam recedes from sight, allowing you to use fewer materials to achieve the same, lush appearance. Of course, when creating a contemporary design, OASIS® Black Floral Foam can become a unique visual element!
- 25% fewer flowers required
- Reduced labor, material, and transportation costs
Foam-related hard goods
We don’t just focus on our floral foam, we also strive to bring sustainable options for ancillary products. Here are just a few:
- OASIS® BIOLIT® Containers – made from recycled paper to create a compostable and biodegradable container
- OASIS® BIOLINE® Florettes and Bases – made of natural wood
- OASIS® NATUREBASE® Florettes and Bases – a paper-based polymer is used to create the look, feel, and performance of plastic bases that fully biodegrade within 6 months (EN13432)
Why Can You Trust a Claim Made by
Smithers-Oasis?
We have a formal Global Sustainability Claims Policy, where claim validation is managed by Corporate Technology for all manufactured products, including third party testing, validation, and certification to ensure accuracy and credibility. There are also strict guidelines for claims made on products sold but not manufactured by us.