Biodiversity & Packaging

Flowe protective packaging for postage is made from unbleached cardboard made from INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES material such as Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) or Black locust (Robinia pseudacacia).

Many plants that are used for food and decorations are alien plants. They were brought to Slovenia from the area of their natural distribution, either intentionally or unintentionally. Most of them remain in the fields and gardens, but some of them found a way to spread quickly also to the natural environment. 

They replace native species, change ecosystems, cause economy harm or even endanger human health. Due to their successful spread, they are called invasive alien plant species. They are found mainly in abandoned construction sites, along the roads and railways, on abandoned agricultural lands, along the edges of forests and on river banks.

In Slovenia, most of the invasive alien plants are being composed or burnt but with the Flowe water bottles we are searching new opportunities of their usage .

Japanese Knotweed 
(Fallopia Japonica)

Japanese knotweed came to Slovenia from East Asia. It is a 2–5 m high herbaceous plant with extensive woody rhizomes, reach with a bright coloured center which can extend several meters deep. 

​The stems are thick and hollow, similar to bamboo and are covered with purple speckles. It has large leaves with a flat base and a pointed tip, up to 15 cm long. Its small creamy-white flowers are hanging in clusters from the leaves which develop in late summer. In autumn, the above ground parts decay, and in the spring time the leafy stems start to grow again from the roots.

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Black Locust
(Robinia Pseudacacia)

Black locust came to Slovenia from North America. It is known also as acacia. It is a tree that grows up to 30 m in height and reaches up to 60 cm in diam.

It has rare canopy which consist of leaves 20–30 cm long. Each leaf is compound of 7–21 leaflets. Flowers are white and scented and arranged in long clusters. The fruits are 5–10 cm long brown pods containing 10 dark brown seeds. It has an extensive network of lateral roots which form dense clones. The bark is smooth and grey when young, and then it cracks and turns brown.

Cardboard Paper

​Japanese knotweed pulp ready to press into a paper

FLOWE