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Cumbrian papermaker James Cropper has worked with the Royal British Legion to create its first plastic-free poppy.
Working with the Royal British Legion and design consultancy Matter, James Cropper, based at Burneside, near Kendal, has co-created the poppy which will reduce carbon emissions by 40 per cent. It is free from single-use plastic and can be recycled in ordinary paper recycling collections.
The design is part of the charity’s commitment to reducing single-use plastic in all its activities in a drive to be economical, sustainable, and less impactful to the environment. 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.
Marking 45 years of partnership with the legion, the paper provided for the new design is made from a blend of renewable fibres from responsible sources, 50 per cent of which has been recovered from paper coffee cup production via James Cropper’s CupCycling facility in Cumbria.
Steve Adams, chief executive officer 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 legion 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.
The Royal British Legion’s executive director of marketing, fundraising and remembrance, Gary Ryan said, “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.
“The Royal British Legion provides a lifeline for serving personnel, veterans and their families facing hardship, injury and bereavement. We hope our new plastic-free poppy, which will be available alongside existing poppy stocks, will encourage people to support the Poppy Appeal this year and help us continue our vital work.”
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.
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