PAPERMAKER James Cropper has helped create the Royal British Legion’s new plastic-free poppy.
Made entirely from paper, the poppy is said to reduce carbon emissions by 40% and can be recycled in ordinary paper recycling collections.
James Cropper worked with the Royal British Legion (RBL) and design consultancy Matter on the project. The new poppy maintains the iconic poppy design and leaf shape and can be fastened with a pin, inserted into a buttonhole, or stick-on versions are available.
The paper provided for the design is made from a blend of renewable fibres, half of which has been recovered from paper coffee cup production via James Cropper’s CupCycling facility in Cumbria.
Steve Adams, CEO at James Cropper, said, “Every year since 1978, red and green papers made at our paper mill are transformed into millions of poppies for the annual Poppy Appeal that continues to provide vital support to the armed forces community. Although we are involved each year, we never take for granted what this symbol means to so many families and the country as a whole.
“Everyone at James Cropper is very proud of our long-standing involvement in the production of the paper poppy, worn the world over as a symbol of respect and remembrance.”
The original paper poppy design was first produced in the 1970s. A request went out to paper mills for assistance in finding a bleed-free paper, and the partnership between James Cropper and the RBL began. James Cropper now delivers over three miles of narrow red and green paper rolls, which are made into millions of poppies, to the RBL and Poppyscotland’s poppy factories every year.
Gary Ryan, RBL’s executive director of marketing, fundraising and remembrance, added, “We’re proud to have designed a plastic-free poppy that will enable people to show their support for our armed forces community in a more sustainable way. We are thankful to our long-standing supplier James Cropper who developed the innovative paper used in the new poppy. The company’s industry-leading technology which reuses waste from the manufacture of coffee cups has ensured the iconic poppy is now made entirely from responsibly sourced materials.”
John MacDonald, design director at Matter, commented, “We didn’t want to simply reduce single-use plastic, but to eliminate it completely. Paper offered a single-material solution that could be easily recycled, as well as offering a bold, elegant approach for the next generation of poppies.”
The plastic-free poppy will be available for the 2023 Poppy Appeal alongside remaining stocks of the current poppy, which can be returned to Sainsbury’s stores for recycling.
