Sustainable alternatives for your art supplies

Posted 2 months ago

Eco-conscious materials that don't sacrifice quality 🌱

The arts shop is making it even easier to be more environmentally-conscious through your creations. Following your feedback, we're stocking sustainable art materials. 

Although our introductory offer is over, by choosing sustainable alternatives you can help reduce environmental impact all while keeping quality high in your artwork. So make sure to consider the sustainable options you see in our shops, simply look out for the labelled materials.

Here are the four simple swaps you can make in our arts shop stores next time you stock up: 

Bio-based Acrylic Paint: Professional Quality with Lower Impact – £7.60

If acrylics are a staple in your work, you can choose to use our bio-based paint for a lower climate impact option without compromising on performance. 

How? This paint replaces around half of the fossil-based binder with plant-based sources, however maintains a professional-grade pigment load and lightfastness. They also come in 100% rPET pots which make them easier to recycle.

Why it matters: This paint proves that you can reduce your footprint while keeping your creative standards high. 

tubs of paint stacked on top of one another

Calico Organic Cotton: Great for Toiling, Sampling and Prototyping – £48.50 per 5 metres

This GOTS-certified organic cotton is grown without harmful chemicals and made from renewable fibre, making it a strong, breathable and easy-to-sew fabric great for toiling, prototyping and more. 

Why it matters: Choosing organic cotton over conventional cotton helps cut down on emissions and water use, a small but impactful shift. 

a square of fabric hanging on a pole

Bruce D Biotape: Made from Cellulose and Still Strong – £2.95

As an alternative to standard clear tape, this Biotape is made from clear cellulose film sourced from renewable plant materials, coated with a water-based adhesive. It has similar tack and strength to standard tape for art use, but is completely compostable! 

Why it matters: By choosing Biotape for your next project, you're helping cut down on plastic use while getting the same result when using it in your work. 

a box of biotape on a table

Paper Mailing Tape: For Sealing, Splicing and Packaging – £3.45

A plastic-free alternative coated with High Grab Hotmelt adhesive, this tape has good adhesion to different types of cardboard, making it great for light to medium carton sealing, packaging and tabbing. It's also really easy to tear by hand, making it a hassle-free and conscious material choice. 

Why it matters: Paper tape is a lot easier to recycle alongside cardboard and other common materials, making it a simple switch with a positive payoff. 

three rolls of paper mailing tape on a table

Sustainability in the arts doesn't mean sacrificing quality, it means being aware of the materials you're using and their impact on your practice and the planet. Learn more about our products and make a switch to test the quality for yourself. 

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