How to be a Sustainable Crafter

Save Things!

Buttons, ribbons, jars, that top you adore that has an irreparable hole but is made from the most gorgeous, one of a kind fabric... Don't let yourself stray too far into hoarding territory, but if you think you may find a future use for something, keep it! Being sustainable is a lot to do with reducing waste and getting the maximum use possible out of something before throwing it away.

Support Local Suppliers

Don't just buy all your craft supplies from big brands like Hobby Craft or Amazon. Check your local area to see if there are any independently owned craft shops near you. If there aren't, look at small sellers on sites like Etsy. Supporting local and small businesses is always a better way to shop!

Choose Sustainable Materials

Use biodegradable and eco-friendly materials that have been manufactured in a sustainable way. Use non-toxic glue and paints, avoid plastics, if you do a lot of yarn crafts, avoid acrylic yarns and stick to sustainable options like cotton or bamboo. Did you know you can now get biodegradable glitter?

Recycle Scraps

This doesn't apply to all crafts, but if you work with textiles, paper, or metals, collect up your scraps to recycle! Many jewellers will take gold and silver scraps and did you know that most charity shops accept bags of textile rags for recycling? Plus there's always your local recycling centre.

Make it Easy to Dispose of

An important thing to consider when being a sustainable crafter is what happens to your product at the end of its life. Will it biodegrade or can it be recycled or reused? If it is made from different materials can it be easily taken apart to dispose of sustainably? I think this is particularly important when making things to sell to an eco-conscious demographic as it will more than likely be important for your customers.