April 21 in Belarus – Radunitsa

Traditionally, on this day, people decorate and tend to graves to honor the deceased. Cemeteries are literally covered with a carpet of artificial flowers, but within a few months, they turn into hazardous waste.

Artificial flowers today are a real environmental disaster! In the vast majority of cases, they are made from a variety of plastics, polyester, nylon, and PVC – materials that decompose over hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics. The dyes and polymers often used in the production of artificial flowers can contain heavy metals and phthalates. Rain washes these substances out, and they penetrate groundwater, poisoning soil and water bodies.

Recognizing the environmental consequences of using artificial flowers, it is important to consider more sustainable alternatives. Fortunately, there are more eco-friendly options than one might think:

• Bouquets of fresh flowers
• Real potted flowers
• Perennial plants and flowers

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