I had such a great time chatting with Erin Husted of Hackwith Design House for the Why Do We Have Things? podcast a few weeks ago. Our conversation dug into the idea of sustainability in business, and all the different forms that can take. If you’re curious about my commitment to sustainable, natural materials, or how I approach sustainability in my business practices, have a listen!
Many of the decisions that I make while I’m designing for Cotton & Flax are fueled by my love for the environment and my interest in sustainable design. I work hard to create as little waste as possible in my projects, but inevitably there are small scraps of leftover fabric, which I store in the studio, hoping that I’ll find a use for them.
In an attempt to make use of these small scraps, I’m collaborating with a local LA maker to create a brand new product for the Cotton & Flax shop, which I’m excited to debut in just a matter of days! I also reached out to some of my favorite textile artists, to see if they might have a use for some felt scraps in their work. While a zero waste studio is a lofty goal, I’m excited to find new ways to creatively reuse fabric that would otherwise be discarded.
This is one of the great things about being a small business (tiny, really — the printing studio is just 72 sq feet!); I’m able to be more creative about how I run things behind the scenes, which means I have the ability to make more ecologically sound choices. By keeping the production for Cotton & Flax in-house, I can keep waste to a minimum, and use environmentally friendly materials, like sustainable linens and water-based, non-toxic inks. As the business grows, I’ll be making a conscious effort to partner with manufacturers who can help me produce my work with similar ethical guidelines in place.
I’d love to hear what you think about my effort to maintain a green studio – get in touch on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to let me know what you think!
