Packaging. I drive my family nuts by keeping every cardboard box and piece of bubble wrap or packaging we get from any home deliveries. I have a stack of boxes of all different sizes and shapes, waiting for the moment when I need to post something or there is a school project requirement. It might be months (perhaps years by now…) until that moment comes – but don’t worry, I am prepared!!
For me, this isn’t only cost effective, but it is the right thing to do. Before we recycle, its important to consider reusing and reducing.
One of the things I love about clay is the ability to reuse and reclaim the waste. Being able transform the off cuts and the trimmings back in to a block of clay and then into a pot or mug. Its incredible when you think about it. But it is time consuming and I know some potters loathe the process – but for me, it is absolutely worth it and part of the medium.
Now obviously firing in a kiln uses a good amount of electricity and the carbon footprint in that is quite high. It can take a while for a full kiln load but it makes more sense to wait rather than fire just a handful of things.
And then of course the production and delivery of the materials – the clay itself, the ingredients for the glazes, the packaging… it really is quite a minefield when you start thinking about it.
If I had the means, I would love to get solar panels to power the whole house not just the kiln – which is an enormous investment upfront – one I would love to be in the position to make, but sadly unable to at the moment. But there are certainly things we can all do.
The way I approach it broadly speaking is rather than buying a bit of something here and there – I try to buy materials in bulk when possible to limit the wasted packaging/delivery method and then to use up every ounce of the item and reuse the packaging/containers wherever possible.
I also buy clay with others to enable bulk orders and a single delivery. The clay bags are kept for reclaimed clay, I have yogurt tubs and laundry detergent pots and buckets stacked up high full of glaze ingredients. We can also make many of our own tools using old credit cards, wire, kitchen utensils etc.
When we are buying something new – we can look for sustainable materials and businesses where possible. And increasingly – they are available! Virtually all household items can be purchased zero waste and fashion doesn’t have to be disposable – clothes that are season-less and sustainably produced are readily available and of course there is buying second hand.
There are lots of other things we can do, small changes that can have a big impact long term. For example, the search engine Ecosia uses its profits to plant trees. There are zero waste shops popping up all over the country. Most household products can be found in eco friendly / sustainable / zero waste options.
Walking, cycling and taking public transport rather than our cars where possible (and where it can be done so safely – it’s 2020 – can’t do a post without a covid-19 reference creeping in somewhere!). My significant other and I have talked about changing our little car for an electric one when the time is right.
I’ve also looked into off setting our household’s carbon footprint. The World Land Trust has a carbon footprint calculator, but there are many others online and there are initiatives all over the UK.
We can also take a look at our own homes and gardens and see what we can do there – whether its plant more trees or bee friendly plants, grow our own fruit and veg…
There are so many small changes we can all make without sacrificing a lot and yet contributing to saving so much – swapping ingredients for more sustainable ones when we cook, cutting down on our meat consumption or doing ‘Vegan-uary’. You don’t necessarily have to go full vegan to make a difference. Even just turning off lights and electronics at home, swapping baths for showers.. or resuing packaging and recyling your clay! Every little step really will work towards a tidal wave of change.
PS xx
Stratford Ceramics 