Sustainability should be our default setting yet so often, it is not. Art is not the worst of our environmental enemies but between the use of virgin materials and toxic inks, paints and solvents, it certainly contributes to this issue, particularly when talking commercial projects.  Like most choices we have, there are more responsible and less responsible options we can go with.  Traditional business practice has often gone for the best value options, sadly not prioritizing environmental and social impact as they go.  Thankfully, that is changing and it effects every industry, including ours.  There are things we can be doing now to make more responsible choices for a more sustainable future in art.  Price should not dictate choice and now it doesn’t have to. We have built Red T in honor of the incredible artists we work with and on the premise of making great art available, at volume if necessary, without causing unnecessary waste.

Here are some of the things to look out for when developing or procuring art for your home or project:

1. If the art is right, it will last

The worst thing you can do to a work of art is get rid of it. If you start off with the right art, it won’t need replacing for a very long time, unless it is not properly cared for. Good art consultants, a collaborative approach between art and design and good decisions will mean the right art goes to the right home. This keeps waste down.

2. Only sample what you want

In the commercial world, sampling is very common, quite rightly. However, sampling should only be done on works that are 99% confirmed in order to keep work and materials from being wasted.

3. Buy art work on biodegradable or up-cycled materials

This can be hard in some cases as original art is already made and often wonderful regardless of the materials it is comprised of. However, if you are buying printed works which are custom made – some can be made more responsibly than others. Work on paper is largely biodegradable if you think about its afterlife. Even better, the Red T 360 Canvas will make it possible for our art to be printed on up-cycled fabric which would otherwise go to waste.

4. Make to order models

It is always better to buy from a made to order model as not only do you know the work was made for you, but you know that there is no excess anywhere which has the potential to get damaged or discarded to make way for the new.

Red T is proud to have built our business based on all the above and we continue to develop processes of on boarding sustainable materials and practices into our strategy as we go.