environmental impact statement

supporting the marine environment

I have a particular interest in protecting the marine and coastal environments. So I make regular donations from the sales of my work to Project Seagrass. You can find out more about their important work here .

earth’s resources + ceramic practice

I always aim to minimise my impact on the environment both personally and within my business, but there is no getting away from the fact that, in ceramics, we use resources from the Earth very directly. All our materials are mined so we must take special care when choosing our sources.

raw materials

My clay and other raw materials come from a long established family company in the Midlands’ Potteries who have a public sustainability statement. They mine and process clay from their own mines, and have been doing so for generations. I order in bulk to reduce the energy used in shipping it to me.

All unfired clay can be recycled and reused so nothing is wasted.

energy use

Use of fossil fuels and CO2 generation is a major issue because stoneware and porcelain are fired at temperatures exceeding 1230°C. I have an electric kiln and solar panels so I fire my kiln on sunny days whenever possible. At maximum efficiency the sun supplies around 75% of the power needed for a bisque firing and I use a renewable energy supplier for the remainder.

packaging

As much as possible of the packaging materials I use are recycled or repurposed, so you may receive a box, bubble wrap or packing peanuts which have been used before.

All my packaging is made from recyclable materials or I repurpose non-recyclable materials so they are not just single use.

Cardboard boxes are either recycled or from FSC responsible sources. I am researching cost-effective alternatives to bubble wrap and use as little as possible whilst still keeping the work safe.

All packing peanuts are eco- packaging peanuts made from starch. These are completely biodegradable and can be put in your compost heap. I will also reuse peanuts collected from parcels I have received. If you receive a parcel with non- eco packaging peanuts these are reused. I’m continually looking for eco alternatives to plastic and welcome any recommendations you may have - please send them to me at ceramics@juliepeel.co.uk.

the future

Studio potters everywhere are very aware of their connection with the Earth. It is important that our materials be mined, processed and transported as sustainably and ethically as possible, and that we minimize waste.

This is a huge and often complex subject. My practise is not environmentally perfect and, by its nature can’t be, but I am educating myself all the time so it can improve.

All human activity has a negative impact on nature however environmentally aware we try to be. If we truly want to reduce climate change and environmental degradation, we all have to think widely and deeply about where everything we use comes from, how it got there, and how we in turn use it.

Those of us fortunate enough to have choices can exercise them – one way or the other.