ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Overview:
I’m an independent illustrator/designer, operating as a sole trader, actively working on positive projects which benefit people and planet.
I aim to operate in a way that is responsible and respectful, and with minimum environmental impact.
I work from a small studio in my home, mainly digitally. I don’t make physical products and not much of my work is printed.
Summary of Environmental Impacts:
Power, Electrical Usage - 100% Renewable
Consumables/Purchase of materials - Local and/or eco suppliers where possible
Waste & Recycling of Materials - I reuse/recycle as much as possible, to minimise waste
Online Subscription Services & Storage - Prioritisation of environmentally conscious options
Website and Email - Green email hosting. Website review in progress
Transportation - Zero commute, and meetings are mostly online
My commitments and considerations towards working in a more sustainable way:
• To have a preference for working with purposeful clients whose focus is on making a positive impact for the environment, communities or individual people, OR who have an environmental consciousness integral to what they do.
• To be mindful of the materials and processes I use, and to ensure my business operates in an environmentally-conscious way, ensuring waste is kept to a minimum. Any waste is recycled if possible
• To source and use environmentally-friendly and sustainable products and materials where possible
• To search out local and/or ethical suppliers for any necessary materials or office supplies
• Where the output of projects is to be printed or materialised in any other form, to consider and prioritise environmentally-friendly options and suppliers, advising clients accordingly.
• To investigate my digital footprint further and look at ways I can improve this. Periodical purges of unnecessary emails & photos etc. Also a review of my website is well overdue.
• To keep a periodic check on all practices and processes to maintain and improve my environmental impact where possible. This will include an annual business/impact review, the first of which can be seen here
• I pledge that 2% of my income, generated through the projects I work on will be donated to charities/organisations which benefit people or planet. These will be selected as feels appropriate, and ideally reflecting the sorts of projects I’m working on at the time.
• To be helpful generally, and willing to share advice and experience-based knowledge with students and early career illustrators. Currently this tends to be in the form of responding to emails I receive from individuals
• To carry out an annual review looking at the impact of my business along with the financial side and other statistics. The first of which can be seen here.