Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on 22 April to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events in more than 103 countries.
Earth Day was the brainchild of Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a staunch environmentalist who hoped to provide unity to the grassroots environmental movement and increase ecological awareness. Nelson, whose efforts in Congress included legislation protecting the Appalachian Trail and banning DDT, hired Denis Hayes, a Harvard grad student, to help organize the first Earth Day.
Today, Earth Day is celebrated in more than 190 countries and has become a day to recognize and honour the achievements of those working toward a better, environmentally responsible future. It has also become a day to reflect on how you can be a better steward of the earth. In honour of Earth Day 2023, we have some suggestion on how to be an environmentally friendly jewellery designer.
Being Responsible in the workshop
We can all make sure we are recycling as much as we can. Plastic is a huge problem and we need to work together to reduce this waste. Why not have a bin especially for plastics in your workshop, making sure it’s easy for you to do your bit for the environment.
You can also keep a collection of your scrap Argentium and shavings - you can then create a piece of jewellery using scrap metal or sell this metal on to be recycled.
As a jeweller, you have many opportunities to use recycled / sustainable metal. Argentium is always made from ethically sourced silver and can be recycled. it's firestain resistance make the hazardous process associated with removing and hiding firestain a thing of the past. This means you can feel confident that your handmade jewellery designs are sustainable.
It can be hard to source ethical gemstones, especially when shopping online. Always do your research before making the commitment to purchase. Read online reviews of the company, read the product descriptions to find out the origin or talk to the team to find out more about where the gemstone is sourced.
Second Hand, First Choice
A great way to help the environment is to be a bit more frugal! Look online and on Facebook groups to see if anyone is selling their jewellery making tools. Not only will you be saving money you will also be using something which could have ended up in the bin.
Recycle your old plastic containers and transform them into pots for your supplies, you can keep your supplies organised and avoid loosing those fiddly findings or tiny gemstones!
Reuse packaging materials from incoming packages for out going items, storing supplies, or packing away unused material. Choose recyclable product packaging and natural inks for your logos and business cards.
Make it Green
Simple but plants not only look beautiful in your workspace, but they are also said to bring great benefits to your health and the environment too. Many plants in your workshop purify the air by removing toxins and make it easier to breathe.
There are so many different ways to be an environmentally friendly jewellery maker, share with us how you are caring for the planet.