Royal British Legion launches plastic-free poppy for its 2023 appeal

The Royal British Legion has unveiled its first ever plastic-free poppy to mark the launch of its 2023 Poppy Appeal.

This year’s poppy is the first redesign of the iconic symbol of Remembrance in a generation and is the latest in a series of designs since the poppy was first used to raise funds in 1921.

The plastic-free poppy is made from 100% paper and can be easily recycled in household collections.

The new design features, which has been developed over the last three years, maintains the iconic poppy shape, with a black centre embossed with ‘Poppy Appeal’, and a leaf with a crease.

However it no longer has a plastic stem or centre, and it can be fastened with a pin in the stem, worn in a buttonhole, or a stick-on version is available.

It has been created from bespoke red and green paper produced from a blend of renewable fibres from responsible sources, 50 per cent of which come from the offcuts created during the production of paper coffee cups.

The launch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal marks the start of the national period of Remembrance, when the nation wears the poppy and reflects on the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces.

Members of the public will be able to get their poppy – the original version or the new plastic-free version – from thousands of volunteers across the UK, or from major supermarkets.

All funds raised from the Poppy Appeal will be used by Royal British Legion to support serving personnel, veterans, and their families in a range of ways, from help with the cost of living, mental wellbeing and housing, to support with recovery after trauma or illness.

One of Rhyl’s Poppy Appeal Organiser’s Helen Jones was thrilled to try out the new plastic free poppy.

She said: “Wearing a Poppy always makes me feel really proud because it is so important to remember all the sacrifices that have been made by the Armed Forces.

“It’s really exciting that this year’s poppy is plastic free, but the message remains the same: wearing your poppy shows you care.”

Director of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Andy Taylor-Whyte added: “We want to encourage as many people as possible to get a poppy this year and show their gratitude and support to those in the Armed Forces whose service and sacrifice should never be forgotten.

“We’re so proud that this year, we have our new plastic-free poppy too, so that the public can wear this poignant symbol of Remembrance, with less impact on the environment.

“Since the first Poppy Appeal in 1921 to today, public donations have provided a lifeline for service people and their families, and last year, we helped more than 27,000 people in the Armed Forces community.

“As a veteran myself, I am grateful to the public for giving what they can to support the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal this year.

“Donations enable us to support the Armed Forces community past and present, all year round, and shows them that wearing a poppy shows you care.”

To find out more or to donate to the Poppy Appeal please visit rbl.org.uk