Veolia-Backed Display Wins Gold At The Chelsea Flower Show.

22 May, 19

Birmingham City Council has claimed an EIGHTH successive Gold at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 – with its Veolia-supported display wowing visitors at the prestigious London event.

The council, in partnership with Baroness Floella Benjamin and backing from Veolia, produced a work of art to highlight the challenges facing our environment – while paying tribute to Birmingham’s famous canal network.

The Floella’s Future display – which will be exhibited at the Show from May 21-25, before being displayed in Birmingham next month – highlights the 500 parks throughout the city, with 3D printed models of volunteers, workers and community helpers.

Central to the exhibit is a three metre head, made-up of more than 3000 tubes symbolising single-use straws. This is to raise awareness of the use of plastic and how they are harming the environment. The head will be drinking water from a disposable cup, using a plastic straw to highlight the concern about micro-plastics in our food chain. A giant foot hovering over the display will remind visitors of the carbon footprint we are leaving on the planet.

The exhibit will also show the average contents of a household rubbish bin. There are 525,000 tonnes of pots, tubs and trays disposed of each year. Furthermore, it will underline the damage to the ocean created by plastics and explore the use of biodegradable plastics and Bioplastics, while raising awareness of the harm caused by environmentally-damaging packaging.

Birmingham is the hub of the nation’s canal network, with a staggering 35 miles of waterways throughout the second city. As a nod to this, the garden will look at the potential uses for the canal system and focus on our use of water, not least how we can conserve this precious, natural resource.

Donald Macphail, Veolia’s Midland Director, said: “Veolia are delighted and proud to be sponsoring and supporting the award-winning display.

“The exhibit goes hand in hand with Veolia’s values on recycling and resource efficiency. I congratulate everyone involved with this wonderful project.”

Darren Share, Acting Assistant Director Streetscene and Birmingham Assistant Director for Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham City Council are delighted to have the support of Veolia to help us produce this important display that underlines the societal and environmental challenges of 2019, while showcasing the unique appeal of our second city.”

Iconic TV presenter Baroness Benjamin has been instrumental in her working career in education and sustainability. As ambassador of the RHS, we are delighted she is the figurehead of this display.

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