sustainability

I intentionally try to avoid the words "eco-friendly" and "sustainable" when describing the work that I make. It's nearly impossible to create art without leaving a footprint, and the terms "eco-friendly" and "sustainable" are heavily used in greenwashing campaigns. I prefer to consider myself a sustainability enthusiast, making careful decisions about the materials that I use and the footprint that I leave.

The plastics I use are mostly traditionally unrecyclable, meaning there is no local way to recycle them, and shipping them off to be recycled is prohibitively expensive.

The metals I use in my jewelry are sourced from three different companies, all of which were chosen carefully based on their alignment with our company values.

While I do occasionally use a bio-resin, I use very little, and it is plant-based rather than petroleum. In addition, the company we use for this product is fully transparent in its materials sourcing, and is one that we could also consider a sustainability enthusiast.

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We make our own packaging by repurposing old wrapping paper, magazines, unused but expired medical plastics, gently used bubble mailers, and gently used shipping boxes.

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Hey Lola Art Co. is part of Ocean Conservancy's Champions for Sea Change program, which means we donate a minimum of $1000 a year to them. In addition, we partake in regular clean-ups and education events, and have our studio open to the public 2 days a week for education and free creative reuse supplies.

I am certainly less than perfect in my efforts, but I'm so happy to have the opportunity to learn to be better every day. Check the blog to learn with me! ~ love, Jessica