Eco Friendly Art & Craft Materials (part two)
Modelling Materials, Tape, Paper & Canvas, Tools & Accessories
In part two of our eco art and crafting survey, we look at sustainable modelling materials and general art and craft accessories.
Modelling materials include a variety of resources, ranging from potter’s clay to children’s playdough. And the sustainability of modelling materials is as wide ranging as the materials themselves.
As a rule, water-based, oil-based and dough-based modelling materials are broadly safe for the environment. However, it’s worth taking a close look at any modelling material to check for hidden ingredients. A good example is clay (a natural material) impregnated with nylon (very much not a natural material!) More on this below ….
Natural clay
Clay is a natural material that comes from the earth. So it should be eco-friendly, right? Well, right in parts - but not wholly. As ever when choosing sustainable products, we have to look beneath the surface to check whether a product is as eco friendly as it seems.
To start at the beginning, clay is a non-renewable mined resource. Any mining activity can have negative impacts on the environment - so the eco friendly approach is to check that your clay has been responsibly sourced.
Something else to look out for (and avoid) is nylon reinforced clay. Many air dry craft clays have been embedded with tiny nylon fibres. These make the clay less crumbly when it dries - but are terrible for the environment when wet clay is washed into the water system or dried pieces thrown out. For clay without nylon, try TTS Air Dry Modelling Clay.
Das air dry modelling material is another option. This Italian-made product contains water, minerals and vegetable binders. Das has been around for decades and is readily available in the UK. It’s available in white or terracotta and contains no PVC, phthalates, BPA or plastics of any kind. Make sure, however, to avoid Das Smart. This comes in bright colours and is a polymer clay - the evils of which are covered below.
Polymer clay and why it’s best avoided
Polymer clay is great to work with and comes in a wide range of vibrant colours. Sadly, it is also bad for the health of the environment, wildlife and human beings.
Polymer clay is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). PVC is environmentally toxic, with questions over human health impacts such as fertility, hormone disruption and cancer. Phthalates are added to polymer clay to make it pliable. These too are suspected of being carcinogenic.
PVC is problematic throughout its entire life. During manufacture, toxic substances such as dioxins are released. During use, chemicals can leach out of PVC (this is what causes that chemical smell when a new plastic product is unwrapped). And disposal is also highly problematic as PVC doesn’t biodegrade and produces more toxic chemicals when burnt.
If you need any further info on why polymer clay is best avoided, particularly by children, check out this article.
Paperclay
Paperclay is a relatively new modelling material made from a mix of clay and cellulose fibres. It’s eco friendly and the cellulose fibres make it stronger than regular clay - a biodegradable version of the fibres in nylon-reinforced clay. It’s also versatile and can even be kiln fired. Click here for more info.
Paperclay can be bought here.
You can also make your own super-sustainable paper clay by mixing together paper pulp, glutinous rice flour (usually used for making Japanese mochi balls and easily available online), regular flour, water and a little salt. The recipe is as follows -
1. Soak small pieces of paper in water overnight.
2. Place the soaked paper in a blender and pulp.
3. Mix the two flours and pulp in three equal parts.
4. Add a teaspoon or two of salt and mix with water.
Play around with the ratios of pulp, flour and water to get different textures.
Make the paper clay extra sustainable by using scrap paper, old newspaper and out-of-date flours.
Plasticine
Plasticine was originally developed in the late 19th Century by an art teacher in Bath. ‘Plasticine’ is a brand name that is also used generically in the UK for any non-hardening modelling materials. It’s made from a mix of ingredients, often including petroleum jelly. As a by product of the crude oil processing industry, no item containing petroleum jelly can be regarded as eco friendly.
For a more sustainable plasticine-type craft resource, try Jovi Plastilina. Unlike many non-hardening modelling materials, it’s 100% plant based. It also contains no known allergens, including gluten. Like regular plasticine it’s malleable, doesn’t dry out and comes in lots of bright colours.
Playdough
With flour as its main ingredient, playdough is one of the most environmentally friendly modelling materials available. At least in principle. In practice, however, store-bought playdough is seldom quite so sustainable as it first appears. Apart from flour and salt, most brands also contain artificial preservatives, colours and fragrances. It may count as biodegradable, but additives mean that it won’t be compostable - the gold standard of sustainable waste management.
Fortunately for the eco conscious family, playdough is easy (and fun) to make yourself. And, apart from ethical questions over whether we should use foodstuffs for art and craft, homemade playdough is super-sustainable.
One way around the food issue is to use out-of-date flour. Also, take good care of your playdough to make it last as long as possible. Wrapped and kept in an air tight tin, it should keep going for a good six months.
The Imagination Tree has a straightforward, no cook playdough recipe using easy-to-source ingredients. They also have a selection of ideas for naturally scenting and texturing your playdough.
Slime
Slime has become a popular resource for giving children lots of different tactile play experiences. There are numerous types of ready-made slime on the market. The sustainability profile of each type will vary, depending on the substances used to create the texture. As with playdough, making your own slime is much more eco friendly (and fun) than buying ready made. Check out this article for loads of ideas. Although some of the recipes include substances that are not particularly eco friendly, you can always source green versions of ingredients such as hair conditioner and laundry liquid.
Sustainable pottery practices
If you are a serious potter looking to work more sustainably, check out the ideas in this Craft Council article on greening your pottery practice.
Sticky tape has many uses in art and craft. And, as with so many other art and craft resources, eco friendly options are becoming more available.
Sellotape
Ubiquitous in the UK, Sellotape is an iconic British brand. When first developed in the 1930s, Sellotape was made from plant-based cellulose. Nowadays, Sellotape contains plastic - unless you go for the newer plastic-free version. Manufactured from cellulose and natural glue, Sellotape Zero Plastic is 100% plant based. At the end of its life, the tape is compostable and the core and packaging are fully recyclable. The cellulose used to make the tape is also sourced from PEFC certified sustainable forests. Find plastic free Sellotape here.
Paper tape
As an alternative to plastic tapes, paper tape is becoming more readily available. Look out for tapes made from recycled paper. It’s also important to check that the adhesive is environmentally friendly; paper tape isn’t much good if it’s coated with toxic chemicals! This option from The Green Stationery Company uses a natural latex-based glue. If you want eco friendly paper tape with a pattern of hearts or stars, check out Natural Collection.
Washi tape
Washi tape is an eco friendly decorative Japanese paper tape. Apart from being plastic free, the paper for the tape is made from natural fibres such as hemp or mulberry. Traditionally, washi tape was produced by hand using natural glues and dyes. Modern factory production and chemical dyes make the product less sustainable - but it remains a greener alternative to plastic tape. Although its stickiness isn’t as strong as plastic tape, strips of washi tape can be reused.
Find a good selection of washi tape at Under the Rowan Trees - which also has an interesting blog post about washi tape.
There are three key things to look out for when choosing paper and card…
• Is the paper or card product made from recycled materials?
• If new, is the paper or card product FSC or PEFC certified?
• If a recycled/virgin pulp mix, is the latter responsibly sourced?
Recycled paper and card
Recycled paper and card have been around for longer than most sustainable alternatives. As a result, it’s relatively easy to find affordable recycled options. Unfortunately, the true eco profile of a recycled paper product is not always clear cut. Yes, recycled is generally preferable to brand new. But we do have to factor in the carbon footprint of the energy used in the recycling process.
Each recyclable material (glass, metal, plastic, paper) has its own unique sustainability benefits and pitfalls. One issue with paper and card is the weakening of the fibres each time they go through the recycling process. There comes a point where paper can no longer be recycled and just becomes waste. This is not the case with metal and glass, which can be recycled indefinitely. On the other hand, wood has already been pulped and turned into fibre during the original paper manufacture - which means that paper requires less processing during recycling than other, sturdier materials.
For a clear, thoughtful and balanced look at the overall sustainability of paper, check out this blog post. (Heads up - ecoandbeyond.co is a really useful resource for anyone wanting to wise up to greenwashing).
Paper from managed sources
If buying new paper and card, look out for sustainability certification on your product. Both the FSC and PEFC marks demonstrate that wood has been sourced from sustainably managed forests. Many paper and card products are made from a mix of recycled and virgin pulp. These products can still undergo FSC certification and carry the mark in relation to the virgin wood pulp component.
For FSC certified and recycled art paper, try Conscious Craft’s selection.
Alternative fibres for paper
Wood pulp is by far the most common material used to make paper. This in itself is an environmental issue. Deforestation is a big problem for both local areas and the planet as a whole. For example, forests are essential carbon sinks, storing carbon in both trees and soil. Cutting down forests releases this carbon into the atmosphere and depletes the planet’s capacity to store carbon in the future.
Choosing recycled and responsibly sourced wood pulp paper certainly helps. But so does mixing up the fibres we use. Paper doesn’t have to be made from wood pulp. Faster growing plants such as bamboo, and recycled fabrics such as cotton can also be used to create more eco friendly papers.
Another option is paper made from waste products, such as banana or coconut paper. Banana paper is made from pruned banana tree wood and leaves, which would otherwise be discarded. Coconut paper is made from the outer husks or coir of the coconuts - a waste product from the food industry.
Another plus is that bamboo, banana, coconut and recycled cotton papers are often handmade. Although more expensive, handmade processes usually carry a lower carbon footprint than factory production. If these papers were to become more mainstream, the handmade option would not be so viable, of course. But for now, they are a sustainable choice for the eco conscious artist able to pay a bit more for their paper.
Hemp paper
Hemp has been used to make paper for thousands of years. The earliest surviving samples of Chinese paper are made from hemp. Hemp is a naturally eco friendly plant. It requires little water or chemicals compared with other crops. It is also very fast growing. While all plants count as renewable resources, the quicker a plant grows, the quicker it can be renewed. In spite of the additional expense, hemp paper is definitely one for the eco conscious artist to check out.
Linen paper
Not to be confused with regular paper embossed with a linen effect texture, linen paper is actually made from the flax plant. Flax has long fibres and produces a paper that is strong, supple and smooth. Like hemp, the flax plant is naturally sustainable compared to many crops - including cotton. It’s a resilient plant that is able to survive in poor quality soil. This means that it doesn’t take up agricultural ground needed for food production. It requires no irrigation, so does not deplete domestic water supplies. It also needs no fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides - which is good for the local environment and worker welfare.
Check out this tree free paper collection made from banana, coconut and flax.
Canvases
Painting canvases are usually constructed from cotton or linen stretched across a wooden frame. Made from flax fibres, linen is a naturally sustainable fabric (see above). Cotton, although a natural material, is not very eco friendly as the cotton crop requires high levels of water, fertiliser and pesticides. Organic cotton is a much better choice.
It’s not easy to find organic cotton painting canvases. Suitable organic cotton fabric is, however, readily available and you can stretch your own canvases on wooden frames. For tips on how to do this, check out Natural Earth Paints’ tutorial.
If you plan to prepare your own canvases, try Great Art for a selection of wooden frames in different sizes. They also sell accessories such as wooden support bars for larger canvases.
Recycled plastic canvases are another more eco friendly option - particularly for artworks that are going to stay out of the waste disposal system indefinitely. Art supplies company Liquitex offers a good choice of canvases made from recycled plastic bottles. These are triple primed, so you can work directly onto them without having to add gesso.
Reducing and reusing
Whether thinking about recycled paper and card, or recycled plastic canvases, recycling is never preferable to reducing or reusing.
Reducing can be difficult for the eager artist - although we can make a point of not using more paper than is strictly necessary. Larger pieces for sketching can be cut into smaller pieces, and we can also use the back of paper. Save discarded sketches and offcuts for collage and mixed media work.
Over the centuries, artists have always reused canvases. Every so often, X-ray examination discovers an exciting new masterpiece underneath another artwork, and decisions have to be made over which picture to prioritise.
Canvases lend themselves particularly well to being reused, as they are so much sturdier than paper or card. Check out this useful YouTube video for a tutorial on how to prepare a canvas for reuse.
Remember also that you can create artworks on just about any safe surface. Save the card from cereal boxes and packaging. Salvage offcuts of wood, flat stones such as paving slabs and ceramic tiles. Use offcuts and remnants of material, going for heavy, smooth fabrics such as linen or canvas. Try pressing large, tough leaves to use as an interesting canvas for acrylic paint, collage or embroidery.
If you have a young child who is an avid mark maker, save scrap paper such as envelopes for them to work on. If they are just using pencil or felt pens, the paper can still be recycled. Paint and wax crayon are more of an issue. For a deep dive into which drawing/writing media makes paper unrecyclable, check out this article.
We tend to think mainly of mark making media (paints, pencils etc) and canvases in relation to sustainable art. But tools are important too. And as with paint, pencils and paper, we can certainly seek out greener products.
In this section, we look at eco friendly paintbrushes, palettes, scissors, rulers and pencil sharpeners.
Paintbrushes
When it comes to sustainable paintbrushes, handles made from responsibly sourced wood and eco friendly bristles are the order of the day. As with pencils, coloured brush handles have probably been painted with some form of plastic paint. The eco friendly brush handle will be left as unpainted wood.
Paintbrush bristles can be synthetic or made from animal hair, but both types have pitfalls on the eco front. Synthetic bristles are an issue when it comes to disposal. Animal bristles raise questions over animal welfare, and are totally unsuitable for vegan artists.
If you are not vegan but nevertheless concerned about animal welfare, you may want to investigate the sourcing of natural bristles. This is not an easy task, as the following article from US-based stationery company Cowans explains.
Scissors
A lot of scissors come with plastic handles. For more eco friendly versions, look out for metal scissors. Ulula make children’s stainless steel scissors with rounded tips, and check out Mercurius for older children and adults. Both the children’s and adults’ scissors come in a choice of left or right handed.
If you prefer the comfort of plastic handles, try Fiskars Renew craft scissors. Fiskars is one of the best known scissor manufacturers. They manufacture their Renew craft scissors from 80% recycled materials. The blades are recycled stainless steel and the plastic handles are a mix of recycled plastic and cellulose. The scissors are sustainably manufactured and packaged in 100% recycled and recyclable paper.
Paint palettes
Paint palettes are often made of plastic - particularly those with little wells for mixing colours. Look out for aluminium or stainless steel alternatives, or try these porcelain versions from Great Art. An even better option for the eco conscious artist is a secondhand metal muffin tray bought from a charity shop.
If you use thick paint that doesn’t need mixing wells, such as oils, there is also the option of wood. Traditional kidney-shaped wooden palettes are attractive as well as functional. The cheaper ones are usually made of plywood, which is not a particularly sustainable material and also cannot be recycled. Solid wood palettes are more expensive, but make a more eco friendly choice as long as the wood has been sustainably sourced. You may also be able to find a preowned palette in a charity shop or on eBay.
Rulers
The ruler is yet another item that has been hijacked by the plastic explosion. Traditionally, rulers were made from wood. Now, they are mostly plastic - but with a wider range of wooden options creeping back in as we start to address our use of plastic.
For a fully eco friendly choice, try the Green Stationery Company’s ruler. As well as being made from bamboo, the markings on the ruler are printed in soy based ink and the packaging is 100% recycled Kraft paper.
If you need a metal ruler for use with a paper knife, try the selection at Great Art. Metal rulers tend to be made from aluminium or stainless steel, both of which are commonly recycled. Metal rulers are also sturdier than plastic so should last longer - always a good thing when aiming for sustainability!
Pencil sharpeners
Look out for metal or metal and wood pencil sharpeners, rather than plastic. Check out this bamboo and metal sharpener from the Green Stationery Company. Another useful option is this five hole bamboo sharpener from Great Art. Being able to sharpen any size drawing implement keeps them in use for the longest possible time - an eco friendly approach that is also good for your pocket!
Have fun with your sustainable art and crafting!