What makes my Art Ethical…

Materials

The art world is not a very environmentally friendly place. I choose to draw & paint with watercolors because they are beautiful mediums that have a low impact on our environment.

If you look into acrylics you’ll find plastic and oil paints are toxic not only for the environment but also for the painter!

I am an advocate for a healthy planet so I choose Environmentally Friendly Materials every time, even when they are more expensive because the planet is worth it. Yes, I’ve heard the argument that some small makers and businesses cannot afford to be eco friendly. I say if you market your product correctly and charge accordingly, you’ll make up the difference.

Local Print Shops

I seek out small print shops. This means I can print small batches and see the proofs in person. I love establishing relationships with the staff and supporting small businesses whenever possible.

The major concern I have with this option is the sustainability of the ink the small shops use. I am hoping that as my business grows, so will the selection of eco friendly inks.

Most shops still have a long way to go when offering sustainable paper options. For now, they allow my to bring in my own paper and that makes my heart sing. I wish, “environmentally friendly,” wasn’t a reason my cards stand out but for now it is.

Paper

Oh the paper! Did you know most companies making recycled paper, that we think is eco friendly, use toxic chemicals (chorine) to break down the paper and toxic glues to bind it into a new page? Those chemicals have to go somewhere and as much as I don’t want to think about it, I do.

Also, most “recycled paper” is recycled from post industrial waste. That means companies making paper from virgin trees sell their cutoffs to others who claim their paper is recycled while this may be slightly better than straight virgin paper, I look for PCW, post consumer waste. This closes the loop and brings what we put in our recycling bin back into circulation as truly recycled paper.

I was devastated when I learned this but did I have to give up my business idea? I did not back down, no, I searched internet land for days to find sustainable paper. (Update: I continue to learn more about the paper industry and spend countless hours digging deeper.)

The day I found Green Field Paper Co I was beside myself with joy. I currently use their Hemp Heritage paper which is actually cost effective, especially when purchased in bulk. They mix 25% Hemp with 75% PCW Recycled Paper *made using a non-toxic process CFP. Cue the band!

Tree Zero for the win on printer paper! 100% cane sugar waste, Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF), and really affordable.

Shipping

Turns out eco friendly shipping supplies are a little easier to get.

Eco Enclose carries almost everything I need for shipping materials at a reasonable price. Most of their items are 100% Post Consumer Waste (PCW) Recycled & Chlorine Free Processed (CFP).

-I use the recycled tab locking boxes for my kits

-Padded and ridged recyclable mailers

-Water activated recyclable paper tape

-Compostable clear tape

Clear Bags provides compostable sleeves to protect the artwork from water damage. The sleeves need to be commercially composted and because some people do not live in areas where that is available, they aren’t ideal. Still, they’re they’re better than plastic. If you have a better and more sustainable idea please let me know!

Elevate is another option. I have bought from them and found their selection limited though reasonably priced.