Eco ?...
You can't get away from the fact that to fire pottery to make it durable, you need a kiln, and to buy materials that have to travel. I therefore try to minimise or offset this in various ways:
Making:
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Most of the clay I use comes from a supplier in Exeter (some of their materials come from the claypit company locally in Bovey). I also dig & process some local red clay which I use as a slip decoration on many of my items.
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I use a lot of tools and studio equipment that I inherited a few years ago, as well as many oxides and other glazing materials. When I can, I source items and materials from other potters too when they are retiring or changing what/how they make etc. (The West Country Potters Association has an annual meeting opportunity for this)
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Ceramics is a water heavy process, so I use rainwater from my studio roof, collected in water butts . It's used in glaze making and cleaning. I also recycle it throughout my cleaning process so its get several uses before being used (clean) to water to our garden.
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I use a 'fully renewables' energy supplier.
Firing:
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in 2025 I received a grant to upgrade my older large kiln to the latest in economical and efficient design of electric kiln, made by Rohde.. It has auto controls to open and close the bungs, meaning I can make use of night rate electricity.
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For smaller loads, I use my older small kiln (still efficient & made by Rohde).
Retailing
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To minimise travel, I sell mainly via galleries and occasional exhibitions
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When I pack for exhibitions and gallery deliveries I re-ccyle packaging materials (my neighbours keep me topped up when needed!) .
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For direct customer purchases I use recycled tissue paper and paper carrier bags that can all be recycled.
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I run pottery experience sessions from a rented space in the village, mainly catering to local populations, reducing the 'road miles' used by customers to enjoy the experiences
