Upcycling: DIY flower ball

In a world where sustainability is becoming more and more important, all our choices make a difference for the environment. Even the seemingly innocent choice of buying flowers can have far-reaching consequences. This is because the environmental consequences of store-bought flowers are significant.

For example:

- Pesticide use: The flower industry relies heavily on pesticides to protect flowers. These chemicals, however, contribute to soil and water pollution, harming ecosystems and aquatic life.

- Carbon footprint: Store-bought flowers often travel long distances. The transportation causes greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.

- Water shortage: Growing flowers on a large scale requires a lot of water. Especially in water-scarce regions, this adds up to existing challenges and contributes to environmental degradation.

- Single-use culture: Most store-bought flowers are discarded after a short time, contributing to the global issue of single-use waste. The packaging, often plastic, further adds to the environmental burden.



And yes, I hear you — flowers are wonderful and enjoyable to look at! So, can we solve this?

If you insist on buying real flowers, you can buy a plant that produces flowers over and over again.

Or you can craft your own flowers, preferably from materials that would otherwise end up in your bin! This is a great, sustainable alternative because:

- Reduced chemical impact: Creating flowers from waste materials eliminates the need for pesticides, promoting healthier ecosystems and cleaner water sources.

- Waste reduction: By repurposing materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, you contribute to waste reduction. This suits the principles of a circular economy, in which materials are reused and repurposed.

- Endless creativity: Crafting flowers from waste materials offers endless creative possibilities. Whether it’s old fabric, paper, or other discarded items, you can transform them into beautiful blooms, adding a personal touch to your space and showing you care about the environment.

For example, the DIY flower ball is an excellent example of a sustainable flower. It is only made from waste materials: an old book, two waste glass bottles, and a leftover sheet of paper. And in case the flower is discarded one day, the materials can easily be separated and recycled.

Do you need help? Here you can download instructions to create your own flower ball from waste materials for only a symbolic €1! Once you have finished, you can be proud of yourself for caring — for you, your loved ones, and our planet!

👉 https://www.erlijn.nl/link/upcycling.php?l=flowerball