Our new plastic-free poppy is created from bespoke red and green paper, which has been produced from a blend of renewable fibres from responsible sources, 50 percent of which has been recovered from the waste used in the production of coffee cups.  

And to assess the environmental impact of the new poppy, and ensure its sustainability, we worked with experts at University College London. 

Professor Paola Lettieri (FREng) from UCL’s Department of Chemical Engineering, said: “We looked at its carbon footprint and factors like how much water and resources go into making it, in what’s called a Life Cycle Assessment. By replacing the single-use plastic with a paper-based design, and increasing the amount of recycled paper used, UCL found that the new poppy design has a 40% smaller carbon footprint and a similar reduction in its overall impact on the environment.”

The plastic-free poppy will be available alongside remaining stocks of the current poppy to reduce any waste of poppies already produced, and can be fastened with a pin or inserted into a buttonhole.