A BURNESIDE company has helped to create the first environmentally friendly poppy.

James Cropper has worked with the Royal British Legion and Matter on the new plastic-free poppy.

The 100 per cent paper design will be available this year.

READ MORE: New plastic-free ‘planet-friendly’ poppy partly made from discarded coffee cups

"Every year since 1978, red and green papers made at our paper mill are transformed into millions of poppies for the annual Poppy Appeal that continues to provide vital support to the Armed Forces community, said Steve Adams, chief executive officer at James Cropper.

"Although we are involved each year, we never take for granted what this symbol means to so many families and the country as a whole.

"Everyone at James Cropper is very proud of our long-standing involvement in the production of the paper poppy, worn the world over as a symbol of respect and remembrance."

The paper is made from a blend of renewable fibres, 50 per cent of which have been recovered from paper coffee cup production in Cumbria.

The Royal British Legion's executive director of marketing, fundraising and remembrance, Gary Ryan, added: "We're proud to have designed a plastic-free poppy that will enable people to show their support for our Armed Forces community in a more sustainable way.

"We are thankful to our long-standing supplier James Cropper who developed the innovative paper used in the new poppy.

"The company’s industry-leading technology, which reuses waste from the manufacture of coffee cups, has ensured the iconic poppy is now made entirely from responsibly sourced materials.

"The Royal British Legion provides a lifeline for serving personnel, veterans and their families facing hardship, injury and bereavement.

"We hope our new plastic-free poppy, which will be available alongside existing poppy stocks, will encourage people to support the Poppy Appeal this year and help us continue our vital work."

The papermaking company has said the poppy will reduce carbon emissions by 40 per cent and can be recycled in ordinary paper recycling collections.

Design director at Matter, John MacDonald, added: "Paper offered a single-material solution that could be easily recycled, as well as offering a bold, elegant approach for the next generation of poppies."