At the Chalan Kanoa Cemetery, there is always one area where people can gather old artificial flowers they have to replace with new ones. These used artificial flowers usually end up in the landfill, according to flower shop owners and workers.
Artificial flowers, especially those placed on graves, are usually made of silk which has a smooth and soft texture but not as slippery as synthetic fibers. A natural protein fiber commonly obtained from cocoons, silk is one of the strongest natural fibers but loses up to 20 percent of its strength when wet.
Silk can also be weakened if exposed to too much sunlight and can serve as food for insects, if left dirty.
Aside from silk, a bouquet or a bunch of artificial flowers is made also of other non-biodegradable materials, according to Rommel Yanto floral designer of Kevin’s Corp. in Chalan Kanoa.
The pot, he added, is made of plastic and the content is a foam while the stems are made of wires or plastic.
There are also flowers that are made of foam.
Yanto said these flowers usually stay on graves for a year before they are replaced with new ones on the next All Souls Day. He said he has not heard of anybody who re-uses or recycles them.
“They don’t bring those flowers home if they have been in the cemetery,” he said, chuckling.
No one wants to offer torn flowers to their loved ones.
Philip Canuto, owner of Island Floral, said it’s the tradition to buy a new corona or bouquet of flower for deceased loved ones on All Souls Day.
But no matter how beautiful they are, the flowers made of silk deteriorate when exposed in the sun for quite a while. So there’s no way people would want to reuse them.
Disposal is a problem.
Mayor’s office clean up team supervisor Oscar Sablan said they collect close to 300 pounds of used artificial flowers from Chalan Kanoa and Tanapag cemeteries.
But artificial flowers made up of silk, especially the big ones, can be sewn together and turned into a shopping bag, rags or even cushion/pillow covers.
Ben Cabrera who travels to Saipan from Guam every year to visit a departed loved one here said flowers are just material things. What matters is your prayers and presence at your loved ones’ resting place on All Soul Days and other important occasions like their birthdays and other anniversaries.
The most important thing, he said, is that we remember them and that they remain in our hearts.
He himself prefers bringing fresh flowers to the cemetery on All Souls Day.
Canuto said fresh flowers that do not cost too much are always the best option. Aside from being environmentally friendly, “they bring the essence of remembering loved ones.”
