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At a time when many people want to make sustainable choices and think more environmentally conscious, it is also becoming more important to think about the types of products we bring into our homes. Flowers are a perfect example. For a long time, artificial flowers have been the obvious alternative to fresh cut flowers - but today there is something that is both more beautiful and much more sustainable: tinned flowers.
Here, we dive into the differences between artificial flowers and tinned flowers - and tell you why we think the latter is a far better choice for both you and the environment.
What are artificial flowers?
Artificial flowers are just what they sound like - flowers made from synthetic materials such as plastic or polyester. They have been around for many years and are often seen in homes, offices, events and public spaces.
Advantages of artificial flowers
Artificial flowers have some obvious advantages that have made them popular:
- They never wither.
- They do not need water or any care.
- They come in a wide range of colours and shapes.
- They are cheaper to buy.
But despite these advantages, there are many drawbacks to artificial flowers that make them an inferior choice in today's modern and environmentally conscious society.
Disadvantages of artificial flowers
1. they are not kind to the environment
Artificial flowers are made from oil-based plastics and synthetic materials. The production of these materials requires a lot of energy and contributes to greenhouse gases. Once discarded, artificial flowers often become non-biodegradable waste that pollutes our landfills and oceans.
Artificial flowers cannot be composted and they take hundreds of years to decompose. This means that every artificial flower you buy and throw away will remain in the environment long after you have forgotten about it.
2. they often look... fake
Despite advances in manufacturing, artificial flowers often look artificial. They lack the natural texture and scent that real flowers have. For those who want to create a beautiful and authentic environment in their home or office, artificial flowers can often spoil the overall impression. Although some are beautifully made, they often lack that natural touch, softness and scent. They look like what they are: plastic or polyester.
3. they get dusty and boring over time
Artificial flowers fade over time, get dust that is difficult to remove, and can crack or become warped. They can quickly look dull and cheap, which often makes you want to replace them.
4. not as sustainable as you think
Although artificial flowers don't wilt, they don't last forever as you might think - they often lose colour, shape and feel over time and eventually need to be replaced. This means that in practice, people buy new artificial flowers more often than they intended, further increasing consumption and environmental impact.
What are tinned flowers?
Preserved flowers are real flowers that have undergone a preservation process where their natural moisture is replaced by a biodegradable liquid. As a result, the flowers retain their natural appearance, softness and colour - but without wilting.
Preserved flowers look and feel like living flowers, but last for months or years without watering or care. With Softdream, we guarantee a one-year shelf life on our tinned flowers. Find out more about how tinned flowers are produced.
Why we love tinned flowers
1. better for the environment
Preserved flowers are a significantly more environmentally friendly option than artificial flowers. Because they are based on real flowers and not plastic, their carbon footprint is much smaller. They are biodegradable and contain no toxic plastics.
Softdream takes the environment into account right from the cultivation stage - sustainability permeates the entire process, from soil to finished flower.
2. they are naturally beautiful
Preserved flowers look real - because they are. They retain their natural texture, colour and shape, and give an exclusive and elegant impression that plastic flowers cannot replicate.
They are perfect for home decoration, wedding bouquets, restaurants, hotels and offices. Where artificial flowers can look cheap, tinned flowers add class.
3. maintenance-free but alive
Preserved flowers need no water, no soil and no light - just like artificial flowers. But unlike artificial flowers, they look much more alive. They require virtually no maintenance, except that you can occasionally blow away some dust.
4. Sustainability
Preserved flowers can last up to several years with the right care and with Softdream we guarantee a one-year shelf life on all our preserved flowers.
This makes them a more sustainable option compared to cut flowers.
5. affordable with a sense of quality
At first glance, tinned flowers may seem more expensive than artificial flowers - but they last just as long and feel much more natural and alive.
While there are higher quality artificial flowers that look quite realistic - and they can even cost more than tinned flowers. But a closer look reveals that they're fake, and they still come with the environmental problems of plastic.
Final words
Artificial flowers have had their place - but today there are better alternatives. Preserved flowers are as beautiful as fresh ones, as easy to care for as artificial ones, yet more sustainable, environmentally friendly and affordable.
Do you want a greener home, an exclusive gift or a stylish flower decoration that lasts?
Say goodbye to plastic - and yes to tinned food.