For those of you who are artistically inclined, art supplies can be deceptively bad for the environment, with polluting materials and lots of extra plastic. In addition, the way people dispose of art supplies can be dangerous for human health and the environment. If making art is one of your hobbies, here are some ways to be more sustainable while being creative:
- Use a solvent when cleaning brushes, and only wash paint as a last resort. Many paints are dangerous to wash away, and using a solvent reduces the amount of paint that gets into your drain.
- Limit your use of paint. Lots of paint does not end up being used. Squeeze out less than you think you need to avoid waste.
- Make recycled art. Turn your old containers, paper, cardboard, etc., into an artistic creation. Also paint over old canvases to make something new.
- Buy recycled sketch paper, and other recycled materials when possible.
Go forth and be sustainably artistic!
Written by Isabel Lieberman, Class of 2021
Image Sourced by Pixabay