Ban plastic plants and flowers, except for in exceptional circumstances

Background

Introduce legislation to prohibit the sale, import and public-sector procurement of artificial (plastic) plants and flowers. Exceptions could include situations where real plants cannot be used, for example in ICU/isolation rooms, transplant/haematology units and care homes.

Additional details

Set a phase-out date of 24 months and support the reuse or repair of existing displays. Plastic plants create unnecessary and avoidable waste, produce microplastics, increase fossil-fuel demand, and mislead about greening. Real plants clean air, support pollinators, can improve wellbeing and back British and European growers. A time-limited phase-out could cut emissions and litter, save disposal costs and make public spaces genuinely greener, without affecting legitimate medical or safety uses.

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