Materials Analysis
We conducted an analysis of the key materials we commonly use to assess their environmental impact and to explore whether we should and could find sustainable alternatives that match their performance and are reasonably sourced and affordable.
PVA Glue
Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue is often regarded as an environmentally friendly adhesive, particularly due to its non-toxic nature and biodegradability. As a synthetic polymer, PVA is water-based and does not contain harmful solvents, making it safer for both users and the environment. Unlike many traditional adhesives that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PVA glue minimises air pollution and reduces the potential for respiratory issues (Lee, 2015).
One of the key environmental benefits of PVA glue is its biodegradability. PVA can be broken down by microorganisms in natural environments, which helps reduce its ecological footprint. This attribute is crucial for reducing plastic waste and its long-term impact on ecosystems (Smith and Taylor, 2018). Additionally, PVA glue’s water solubility allows for easier cleanup and reduces the need for harsh chemicals during application and removal processes (Green, 2017).
PVA glue is also versatile and widely used in various applications, including woodworking, paper bonding, and crafting. Its efficiency and strong adhesive properties make it a preferred choice for many industries looking to implement greener practices. As sustainability becomes increasingly important, PVA glue’s environmentally friendly profile positions it as a valuable alternative to more harmful adhesives, supporting the shift towards more sustainable industrial and consumer habits (Johnson, 2019).
We primarily use PVA for creating willow lanterns, making a primer by mixing it with emulsion paint, engaging in paper and card activities with children and young people, and as a cost-effective varnish for pieces exposed to light rain or to achieve a glossy finish.
We examined if there was a difference between brands and found there was little difference in formula also that we kept the CO2e to a minimum as we bought our PVA from local trade stores that are in walking distance or a short drive depending on who had the best deal on price at the time of purchase. We concluded that we didn't have to adjust our sourcing and use of PVA.
Contact glue
Contact glue is crucial for our costume and float construction due to its high performance and quick setting properties, which work with most of the materials we use. It is essential for the durability and longevity of our costumes. On average, we use 50 litres of contact glue annually.
Contact glue poses environmental issues due to its volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to air pollution and respiratory problems. Production and disposal generate hazardous waste, and its ingredients can be toxic to aquatic life if not managed properly (Smith, 2022).
While environmentally friendly alternatives to contact glue offer significant ecological benefits, they also present emerging challenges. One primary issue is performance inconsistency; many eco-friendly adhesives struggle to match the strong bonding capabilities and durability of traditional contact glues.
Another challenge is cost. Environmentally friendly adhesives often involve more expensive raw materials and production processes, leading to higher prices. This cost disparity can deter widespread adoption, particularly in cost-sensitive markets (Brown, 2020).
We researched sustainable alternatives available in the UK but we decided not to purchase and test as the majority of reviews of the products flagged performance issues and with its performance being key to our practices we concluded that we would have to annually review products until a high-performance sustainable product came on the market in the UK.
Paper and Cardboard
We use thousands of sheets of A3 and A4 paper annually, as it is essential for our school and family outreach activities. We source our paper from suppliers via Amazon due to the variety of colours, finishes, and the ability to find the best financial options. Our large cardboard sheets come from our own recycling bins, thanks to regular deliveries of large products to businesses sharing office space with UKCCA. Smaller sheets are sourced from our own Amazon deliveries. We have long recognised the environmental benefits of using paper and reusing cardboard, and we teach waste reduction and recycling to children and young people as part of our activities. Using found cardboard boxes in the production of art significantly mitigates environmental impact by promoting recycling and waste reduction. This practice repurposes discarded materials, reducing the demand for new resources and decreasing landfill waste. Cardboard, primarily made from paper, is highly recyclable and biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly medium when reused creatively.
Artists who incorporate found cardboard boxes contribute to a circular economy, where materials are continuously reused and repurposed. This reduces the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with producing new art supplies. Additionally, using found materials often highlights environmental awareness and encourages viewers to reconsider their own consumption and waste habits (Jones, 2021).
Moreover, this approach minimises the need for new packaging materials, which often involve energy-intensive manufacturing processes and contribute to deforestation. By turning waste into art, artists not only create unique and meaningful pieces but also promote sustainability and environmental stewardship in the art community and beyond (Smith, 2020).
Environmentally sustainable paper and cardboard sources are crucial for reducing the ecological impact of paper and cardboard production. These sources involve the use of responsibly managed forests, recycled materials, and processes that minimize waste and energy consumption. Sustainable forestry practices ensure that trees are harvested at a rate that does not exceed forest regeneration, maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health (Green Paper Solutions, 2019).
In the UK, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is a widely recognised quality mark for sustainable paper. The FSC ensures that paper products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. FSC-certified paper is traceable from forest to end product, guaranteeing its sustainable origin (Forest Stewardship Council, 2022).
Another important certification is the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), which promotes sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. PEFC-certified paper sources meet rigorous environmental, social, and ethical standards, ensuring sustainable production and supply chains (PEFC, 2021).
These certifications provide consumers and businesses with confidence that the paper and cardboard they use supports environmental sustainability and responsible forest management (Brown, 2020).
Amazon utilises recycled cardboard for packaging to minimise environmental impact. By increasing the use of recycled materials and implementing innovative packaging solutions, they have significantly reduced single-use plastics. These efforts contribute to more sustainable shipping practices and help lower their overall carbon footprint (Amazon, 2023).
We concluded that we would continue our paper and carboard sourcing and reusing practices and will only buy paper that is FSC-certified.
Foam
We use Plastazote foam which is a versatile man-made polyethylene foam which is produced as a byproduct of oil. Foam's lightweight, flexible, and versatile properties allow for intricate designs, bold shapes, and enhanced durability. This revolutionised costume-making, enabling more creative, elaborate, and comfortable costumes, elevating the visual and performance aspects of carnival celebrations worldwide. Foam is essential to the structural integrity of our costumes, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes through cut, hand-heat-formed and vacuum-formed shapes.
Plastazote foam, a widely used polyethylene foam, poses significant environmental issues. Its production relies on non-renewable fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The foam is non-biodegradable, leading to long-term environmental persistence and pollution. Improper disposal can result in it accumulating in landfills or natural habitats, harming wildlife and ecosystems. Additionally, the foam's durability and resistance to degradation make it challenging to recycle effectively. Finding sustainable alternatives or improving recycling methods for Plastazote foam is crucial to mitigate its environmental impact and reduce its ecological footprint (Johnson, 2021).
Foam has been integral to our costume design and construction for a significant time. Finding a sustainable alternative that maintains costume performance is key.
Plant-based foam alternatives are gaining attention as sustainable replacements for traditional petroleum-based foams. These eco-friendly foams, often derived from renewable resources like corn, soy, and other plant materials, offer promising benefits but also face several emerging issues (Smith, 2020).
One significant challenge is scalability. Producing plant-based foams in large quantities to meet industrial demands requires substantial agricultural resources and land. This can lead to potential conflicts over land use, impacting food production and biodiversity. The competition for cropland may drive deforestation and habitat loss if not managed sustainably (GreenTech Solutions, 2019).
Another issue is performance consistency. Plant-based foams sometimes struggle to match the durability, flexibility, and insulation properties of conventional foams (Brown, 2020). Cost is also a barrier. Plant-based foams can be more expensive to produce due to the costs of raw materials and the need for specialised processing techniques. This cost disparity can hinder widespread adoption, especially in price-sensitive markets (Adams, 2021).
Moreover, there are concerns about the environmental footprint of cultivating and processing the plants used for these foams. Intensive farming practices can lead to soil degradation, water scarcity, and increased use of fertilisers and pesticides, which may offset some of the environmental benefits (Jones, 2022).
We spoke with eight UK suppliers and manufacturers. Our current suppliers, Polyformes Ltd and Drayton Foam Ltd. Also Foam Engineers Ltd, RPL, GB Foam Direct, The Vita Group, Kewell Convertors and Efoam. We discovered only one soy-based foam emerging in the UK market that shows potential for basic structural applications currently covered by other materials. However, its newness commands a high cost—nearly £60 + VAT and delivery for a 50 cm x 50 cm sample—compared to our current foam at £20 including VAT and delivery per 2 metre x 3 metre sheet. This cost disparity makes it prohibitively expensive even if it performs well. Additionally, we found no plant-based foam suitable for heat shaping, limiting our ability to create certain shapes and structures.
As a result, we have decided to conduct annual reviews until a suitable sustainable foam becomes available at a realistic price. We will minimise foam use by employing new sheets only when necessary and promoting reuse and recycling practices.
Acrylic Paint
We utilise acrylic paint in our activities with children and young people, as well as in our costume and float construction. It offers versatility, excellent coverage, vibrant colours, and a wide variety of options, making it readily accessible for our needs.
Acrylic paint poses environmental concerns due to its chemical composition, which includes synthetic polymers and pigments that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air during production and use. Improper disposal can contaminate waterways, impacting aquatic life. Sustainable alternatives and proper disposal methods are essential to mitigate these issues (Brown, 2020).
Environmentally friendly acrylic paint is increasingly popular due to its lower environmental impact compared to traditional formulations. However, several emerging issues challenge its widespread adoption and effectiveness (Green, 2021).
One significant issue is the balance between environmental benefits and performance. Eco-friendly acrylic paints often replace harmful chemicals and VOCs with safer alternatives. While this reduces air pollution and health risks, it can also impact the paint's durability, coverage, and drying time. Achieving the same performance standards as conventional acrylic paints while maintaining environmental benefits remains a challenge (Smith, 2019).
Another concern is the sourcing and production of raw materials. While some eco-friendly paints use renewable or recycled materials, ensuring these materials are sustainably sourced is crucial. Unsustainable sourcing can lead to habitat destruction, resource depletion, and negative environmental impacts, potentially undermining the benefits of using eco-friendly paints (Jones, 2020).
Cost is also an issue. Environmentally friendly acrylic paints can be more expensive to produce due to higher raw material and production costs. This cost is often passed on to consumers, making these paints less accessible to a broader market (Adams, 2021).
Additionally, proper disposal and recycling of eco-friendly acrylic paints need to be addressed. Despite being less harmful, these paints still require appropriate disposal methods to prevent environmental contamination. Developing efficient recycling and disposal systems is essential to maximise their environmental benefits (GreenTech Solutions, 2019).
We found only one low-VOC acrylic paint option, which is currently only available in Australia. The manufacturer, Global Colours, who informed us that there has been no demand from the UK to stock this acrylic paint, although their eco-friendly face paints are popular here. They offered to ship the product to us, but we decided that the CO2 emissions from shipping would outweigh the environmental benefits of the paint. Moreover, the shipping timeframe wouldn't meet our fast delivery needs, making it an impractical choice for us.
Emulsion Paint
We use an average of 10 litres of emulsion paint annually. It serves dual purposes: mixed with PVA to create an economical primer, and as a budget-friendly alternative to white acrylic paint when blending with coloured acrylics.
Emulsion paint is often considered environmentally friendly due to its water-based formulation, which significantly reduces harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Low or zero-VOC emulsion paints improve indoor air quality, minimise health risks, and reduce environmental pollution. These attributes make them a preferred choice for eco-conscious consumers and industries. However, non-VOC emulsion paints face emerging issues. One primary challenge is performance consistency. Achieving the same durability, coverage, and finish quality as traditional VOC-containing paints can be difficult, potentially limiting their application in demanding environments. Additionally, the formulation of non-VOC paints may involve alternative chemicals whose long-term environmental impacts are not yet fully understood (Smith, 2020).
Another issue is cost. Non-VOC emulsion paints can be more expensive due to the higher price of safer raw materials and more complex manufacturing processes. This cost can deter widespread adoption, especially in cost-sensitive markets (Jones, 2019).
Furthermore, proper disposal and recycling of non-VOC paints remain critical to prevent environmental contamination. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing research, innovation, and public awareness to enhance the viability and benefits of non-VOC emulsion paints (GreenTech Solutions, 2021).
We reviewed the emulsion paint we currently use and confirmed it is low-VOC. While we found a non-VOC option in the UK via Lakeland Paints, it costs over £80 + VAT for 5 litres , significantly more than the £15 we pay for 10 litres from traide brands such a Wickies and B&Q. Therefore, we decided to stick with our current paint due to its cost-effectiveness, also we source it form local trade stores that are in walking distance or a short drive depending on who has the best deal on price at the time of purchase. Choosing the non-VOC option would require delivery from across the country, resulting in CO2 emissions that would outweigh its environmental benefits.