Ukrainians have been urged to refuse to lay artificial flowers in cemeteries, as they cause pollution, fires, and emissions of toxic, including carcinogenic, substances.
Such flowers are imported from China and their composition is not known for certain, the State Ecological Inspectorate in Sumy Oblast reported on Facebook.
It is noted that bright flowers fade in a few months, but have a negative impact on the environment for much longer. They are made of synthetic plastics, threads and paper treated with paraffin and emit an unpleasant odor when exposed to the sun.
"It is strictly forbidden to burn and bury artificial flowers, because they can decompose for many, many years, and during combustion they emit harmful substances dangerous to human health – phenol, formaldehyde, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, and dioxins, which have a strong carcinogenic effect and are one of the causes of cancer," the press service said.
The report emphasized that it is currently impossible to dispose of such flowers in accordance with the requirements of current legislation. Currently, there is no ban on the importation of artificial flowers into Ukraine or their use, but a number of communities have already banned such flowers on their territories.
It is noted that the use of artificial flowers is also prohibited in European countries due to their harmfulness.
Eco-inspectors called for more ecological alternatives to be used in cemeteries. For example, wreaths and bouquets of fresh flowers and needles, dried flowers, lamps, candles, planting live plants.
"We call on citizens to be environmentally conscious and modern, and finally to abandon old harmful habits that harm the environment and people's health," the press service emphasized.
To recap, in the Volyn region, the Zaturtsiv community banned the sale of artificial plastic flowers and other plastic funeral goods.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, in 2023, Ukrainians demanded a ban on the sale and distribution of plastic flowers, including their placement in cemeteries.
