Eco-Friendly Creativity: Environmental Sustainability of Art Supplies

Green Recycling Symbol - Image from WIX Media

Anyone who is creative and loves collecting art supplies knows this feeling: you see a fantastic tutorial on YouTube or read a book about new techniques and feel so fascinated by the creative process that you decide to give it a try and start buying new art supplies. The natural consequence is that you accumulate a huge amount of art supplies that you will not use completely and that will eventually go to waste.

In any case, in an age where protecting the environment is one of the main goals for our future, I started to wonder what impact our creativity has on the environment and what we could do to improve and make the artistic process more sustainable.

In this post, I will try to give you some information and tips for developing sustainable creativity.

Definition of eco-sustainability (or eco-friendly) in the field of art materials

Eco-sustainability in art materials means choosing eco-friendly products that reduce environmental impact: recycled paper and canvas, natural or solvent-free colours, reusable tools and creative practices based on recycling.

There are many advantages to choosing this type of material:

• Resource conservation: reduced consumption of wood, water and energy.

• Health: solvent-free paints are better for the respiratory system.

• Creativity: recycling and upcycling open up new forms of expression.

• Emphasis: art becomes a means for sustainability and environmental awareness.

How to recognise eco-friendly art materials

There are several ways to determine whether a product is eco-friendly:

Check for environmental certifications on the manufacturer's website or on the packaging.

• FSC® o PEFC®: These certifications guarantee that paper, wood and canvas come from responsibly managed forests.

• EU Ecolabel: it certifies products with reduced environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle.

  
  

Origin of materials

• Paper and canvas that are recycled or produced with alternative fibres (bamboo, recycled cotton).

• Natural pigments (earth, minerals, plants) instead of synthetic dyes.

  
  

Production processes

• Water-based paints and colours, free from toxic solvents.

• Local production or low energy impact.

  
  

Packaging

• Packaging made from recycled cardboard or compostable materials.

• Reduction in single-use plastic

Practical tips for eco-friendly creativity

• Always check the labels and certifications on the packaging.

• Choose products with natural ingredients and no solvents.

• Reuse waste materials (paper, fabrics, plastic) as part of the creative process (creative upcycling/circular art).

• Choose suppliers who declare responsible production practices, for example by favouring shops or manufacturers that use sustainable materials.

• Consider durability to limit waste: a quality material that lasts longer is more sustainable. Therefore, avoid single-use products such as paper palettes or paper towels. Instead, use reusable and washable cloths and washable or reusable palettes.

• Use water responsibly: when cleaning brushes, collect the water and dispose of it properly, especially in the case of paints containing chemical components.

In the next post, I will take a look at some environmentally friendly alternatives for painting materials.

Thank you for reading. If you like the post, leave a like, a comment, and don't forget to follow my blog and Instagram and share the content on your social media.

I wish you a colourful, creative and eco-friendly day.

Laura