Remembrance, reimagined: New Zealand introduces paper poppies for honoring WW1 soldiers
In New Zealand, the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association (RSA) will be offering more sustainable faux red poppies this year for Poppy Day, its annual fundraising appeal for veterans. Biodegradable poppies made of paper and renewable fibers will replace plastic poppies. The United Kingdom made a similar swap in 2022.
RSA national president Tony Hill told Stuff.com that the new poppies reflect both the “enduring importance of remembrance” and the organization’s commitment to “responsible and ethical” practices. “The poppy is one of the most powerful symbols of remembrance we have. While its meaning will never change, the way we produce it needed to evolve,” he added.
The tradition of wearing red poppies comes from World War I. It is inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields, which describes red poppies growing on soldiers’ graves in Belgium and France.
Category: Chemicals & Materials
