THE Royal British Legion launches its 2023 Poppy Appeal with a newly designed plastic-free poppy.

Poppy Appeal Organiser and volunteer Helen Jones from Rhyl was one of the first people to wear the new poppy, which is completely recyclable.

This year’s plastic-free 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 per cent paper and easily recycled in household collections. The innovative new poppy design features THE well-known poppy shape, with a black centre embossed with ‘Poppy Appeal’, and a leaf with a crease.

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.

Helen 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.”

The Royal British Legion has been developing the plastic-free poppy for the past three years, in collaboration with expert partners, as it works to reduce its use of single-use plastic and be economical, sustainable, and less impactful to the environment.

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 today [October 26] 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.

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Andy Taylor-Whyte, director of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, said: “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.”