My pottery business is a tiny one-person business. Pottery is not always the most environmentally friendly medium. I try to reduce my carbon footprint where ever I can and in small ways. I don’t see the point in buying packaging for it to be thrown away when there is so much out there already.
Please give the the packaging materials another life by reusing them or passing them on to someone who will use them. When they have reached the end of their life, recycle or compost them.
Traceability is becoming ever more important, more so in other industries, but I want to share with you where my raw materials, equipment and packaging comes from. Here is a list of my suppliers and with links to their own environmental policies where possible.
In the studio
Kiln Rhode Kilns, Prutting, Germany. Made to order.
Firing I fire my pots to a mid range stoneware temperature (1240C). This has a shorter firing length, reducing my energy usage. I only fire the kiln when it is completely full and time the firings to heat the studio when needed and when there is less demand on the system.
Clay, slip and glaze materials Bath Potters’ Supplies and bought second hand from potteries which have closed down or been gifted to me.
Clay is fully recyclable as long as there is no contamination. All of the trimmings and off cuts from my own and my students making are recycled and eventually get turned into new pots.
Packaging and Postage
Packing Peanuts and Tape Mailingbags.ie, Ardagh, Co. Longford. The peanuts are made from corn starch and fully compostable. The tape is made from paper.
Postage An Post - They will take care of your parcel right to your door. Orders are posted one day a week, usually on Tuesdays.
Boxes Given to me by friends, reused from my own deliveries or wine boxes from my local supermarket. These don’t always look the prettiest but they do the job.
Bubble wrap I never buy bubble wrap. I only use what is given to me by friends or from parcels delivered to use. I avoid using it wherever possible.
Marketing Materials
Ink Stamp Get Stamped, London, England. Bought when I lived in England. The stamp is made from natural rubber and environmentally sourced oak and is zero-waste.
Ink pad Ranger Archival Ink - Acid free and can be re-inked.
Business cards and postcards Factory, Ballykealy, Co. Offaly. The cards are made from recycled paper.
Paper bags and tissue paper Carrier Bag Shop – The bags are made from recycled brown paper and the tissue is acid free and made with water-based dyes. Both are fully recyclable.