THE CLAYPEN
  • our studio
    • gallery
    • loyalty program
    • the firestone
    • resources
      • specialty glaze resources
      • videos
      • pto recipe cards
  • e-gift cards
  • shop
    • build your own pottery kit
    • diy to-go kits
    • create for a cause
    • custom art
    • merch
    • art supplies
  • about us
    • blog
    • contact us
    • careers
    • community
    • sustainability
  • our studio
    • gallery
    • loyalty program
    • the firestone
    • resources
      • specialty glaze resources
      • videos
      • pto recipe cards
  • e-gift cards
  • shop
    • build your own pottery kit
    • diy to-go kits
    • create for a cause
    • custom art
    • merch
    • art supplies
  • about us
    • blog
    • contact us
    • careers
    • community
    • sustainability
Search

sustainable art space

6/9/2019

1 Comment

 
The Claypen's mission is to remain focused on sustainability and make purposeful business decisions to be more green-friendly and leave less of an  impact on our Earth.
Picture
By: Danielle Kearns 
Sustainability matters. We are all a part of this great big world, that is crazy and irresponsible at times, but it is our responsibility to be a part of the movement for a better future. We hold this as one of our main intentions as a small business and try and promote that amongst our customers whenever possible. Here are some of the little ways we do our part: 

reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose 
It's the slogan we grew up with, just kicked up a notch. We get a ton of boxes delivered to our space on a pretty regular basis. We hit all the R's when it comes to our big shipments. We make sure to use these boxes for all sorts of things. We wrap our parties in them. We organize inventory in them. We use them as splatter guards with art projects. And we even give them away! That's right.

We started an initiative about 2 months ago where local community neighbors can call us up and pick up our large packing boxes for their own at-home needs. We have helped a few dozen residents in this mission, most of whom needed boxes and packing material for a future move. And we gave them out for free. Our little way of helping the community. Any of the boxes we can't get use out of get fully collapsed and recycled in our cardboard specific dumpster. Those are boxes that are less sturdy, possibly ripped, or have run their course. 

bottles 
We are a BYOB PYOP studio, which often means people bring DRINKS. We always encourage our customers to leave their cups, bottles, and cans right at the table for us to take care of clean up. We rinse and recycle ALL of these items. From Solo cups, to Starbucks cups, and even straws. (You might even find a staff member or two cutting these straws up to avoid their impact on our water system and aquatic friends.) We completely wash out and recycle all of our our paint bottles as well. 

packing materials 
We receive shipments from distributors around the country. We make use of everything they use in their deliveries to the best of our abilities. We donate a lot of our bubble wrap and packing peanuts to locals in the area who need it for personal needs. We reuse a good amount for our own shipments since we offer delivery of completed pottery for non-locals. When we have an overflow of these materials, we actually physically return them -- by the garbage bag full -- to FedEx, UPS, and USPS. 

water
People will often ask us if we have water bottles for purchase in our studio. Nearly 90% of our staff use reusable water bottles from their own home which can be cleaned and refilled as needed straight from the tap. 

In our efforts to keep people hydrated while still staying green, we have partnered with Hosmer Mountain Beverages, which will soon be carried in our studio. Their sustainability mission is something to be admired and replicated. They have stuck with glass bottle production for over 100 years. All of their bottles can be returned to one of their centers (or picked up if you sign up for their delivery service) for sanitation and then reused for future use. You can read more about Hosmer in our previous blog.

Water conservation also comes in the form of washing dishes. Art can be a messy medium. We go through many palettes and brushes a day that all need to be washed to maintain their longevity, integrity, and continual use. We have basins filled with water to allow brushes to soak before washing and lay our palettes across the sink floor so every hand wash prior will begin the cleaning process for us and reduce our use of water later. 

our pottery 
The pottery itself is a means for sustainability. If you're going through one paper cup a day for your coffee (or, ugh, maybe even styrofoam), you can make travel tumbler for your every day needs. Our mugs, cups, bowls, and plates are microwaveable, washable... and thus, SUSTAINABLE! 

We are no experts on this cause, but we are hoping to help encourage you to think twice about your recycling decisions. Leave a comment below about how we can best move forward in our recycling efforts or what's worked for you! 
1 Comment
PrintingShell
1/4/2021 09:19:25 am

I love the amount of information you have shared. Recently I have ordered about 100 pieces from <a href=”https://printingshell.com/”>printing shell</a> and have a good experience with custom-designed boxes and the best unboxing experience ever .

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    author

    Danielle is a CT native, She started at The Claypen in 2018 as a Studio Associate and quickly became a Team Lead and our resident blogger on staff. She now manages The Firestone, our sister studio in Manchester.

    ​Her previous experience includes teaching, writing, and photography. You can find her on Instagram and LinkedIn or reach out with questions via ​email.
    - 
    We hope to make memories with you to remember, always made with heART, and a little bit of creativity.
    -

    Picture

    past

    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019


    Picture

    topics

    All
    Beer
    Behind The Scenes
    Bisque
    Catered Claypen
    Ccsa
    Christmas
    Classes
    Construction
    Crafts
    Custom Art
    Date Night
    Donuts
    Drinks
    Education
    Events
    Fall
    Farmers Market
    Firestone
    Fundraiser
    Gare
    Gift Ideas
    Glass
    Glaze
    Holiday
    Kid Friendly
    Kiln
    Kiln Loading
    Local Art
    Local Business
    Office Party
    Promotions
    Summer
    Sustainability
    Team Building
    Techniques
    Thanksgiving
    Theme Night
    Top Five
    Top Ten


    Picture

    RSS Feed

Hours

Sunday - Wednesday: 12p-6p
Thursday - Saturday: 10a-9p

Reserve online or call ahead 
- 
masks required 
no food or drink permitted at this time
Reserve A Table

Telephone

860.233.3322

Email

info@theclaypen.com

Connect with us

  • our studio
    • gallery
    • loyalty program
    • the firestone
    • resources
      • specialty glaze resources
      • videos
      • pto recipe cards
  • e-gift cards
  • shop
    • build your own pottery kit
    • diy to-go kits
    • create for a cause
    • custom art
    • merch
    • art supplies
  • about us
    • blog
    • contact us
    • careers
    • community
    • sustainability