After doing research on the chemical make up of the standard green floral foam -commonly referred to as Oasis, the Abundant Backyard has stopped using it and is committed to using only non toxic bases for securing flowers and greens in our floral designs. The link from a fellow sustainably committted floral designer, Gorgeous and Green, lists the manufacturers specifications and indicates the product contains formaldehyde and/or carbon black. http://gorgeousandgreenevents.com/blog/2011/08/16/msds-floral-foam/. It is a challenge to switch as the floral foam is considerably easier to work with. To that end, I have experimented creating customized floral wire bases and will use traditional floral”frogs” starting in 2013. So far the results have been good. (Note, these arrangements will require keeping an adequate water level to cover stems.) This year I will explore other eco friendly absorbent, moisture retaining options to help arrangements last longer. 
February 10th, 2013 - 5:29 am
Well done for taking this huge step!
I’m a floral foam free florist in Melbourne Australia and I can assure you that where there’s a will there’s a way, and the less foam around the better we and the environment will be for it,
Keep up the good work,
Christie
February 10th, 2013 - 9:49 am
Thank you Christie! Australia is taking great strides in sustainability! Love your compendium of meaning of flowers too! Check out Christie’s site http://www.floriography.com.au
Mary