Sustainability and Small Business

Earth Day falls on the 22nd of April every year, and I thought: What better than to dedicate a blog post toward this important event and how it impacts small businesses?

I feel like I don’t need to go into the importance of this event. It’s a well-known fact that climate change is an ever-growing possibility that threatens our future, and I don’t expect too many climate deniers to be reading this. However, if that is you – welcome to my blog, nonetheless!

I’m certainly not perfect when it comes to sustainability, and I believe it’s important to recognise that you don’t have to be perfect to make a positive impact on the environment. Perfection is not only the thief of joy, but the thief of all motivation and determination to carry on and do what’s right. It’s hard to feel like you’re making a difference when you’re punishing yourself, or being punished by others, for not being the ultimate Earth saver. That’s not a practical standard to hold to yourself, or anyone else.

I’m not perfect – neither is Accessories by Antoinette. But there are many things we actively do to reduce waste and help save the environment.

Some bubble wrap from a recent package that I will put towards our own orders!

When it comes to packaging – there are still aspects that I would like to change, but I am reasonably happy with where we are so far. All the bubble wrap that is used to help protect orders has been collected from packages we have received or donated by friends who have surplus bubble wrap quantities of their own.

In a similar vein, when shopping at markets, we endeavour to return any branded paper bags that we can to the small businesses and artists we have received them from. This not only helps to reduce waste but means our fellow small business friends can save money – and the planet – too!

When it comes to crafting, I don’t think there is much that we can do to improve our sustainable practices. When working with polymer clay, I reuse every single scrap in one way or another, and that is no exaggeration. I consider there to be layers in terms of what colours can be used for what.

Most of these pendants were made with clay scraps!

If there is excess of a single colour, it goes back to the block. If there is excess of a cluster of colours, it frequently gets turned into a one-of-a-kind, fully customisable pendant which you will see at the markets we attend! If neither of the above have worked out, I’ll then blend whatever remains into a whole new colour entirely to use for future projects! And sometimes, there’s a scrappy colour that I know I just won’t use – so I use it within the head of an octopus centrepiece or other figurine base. There is always a use for scrappy pieces of clay within my craft room!

In terms of our crochet shawls and amigurumi, we do everything we can to use whatever scraps that come our way. We also have another similar process of determining what scraps will go towards what projects, which greatly differs from the overall length, quality and texture of the yarn.

For larger quantities of leftover yarn, we may choose to make a one-of-a-kind shawl out of it, or even a blanket to donate. For smaller quantities, and especially soft yarns, we typically turn towards using those leftovers for amigurumi. And anything smaller than that is allocated to be used as part of stuffing amigurumi creations, ensuring no yarn scraps go to waste!

Another sustainable practice I love is OP shopping – or thrift shopping for any Americans reading! Much like attending markets, you never know what you’re going to find. I always take the time to explore the areas that have donated pots, bowls and the like to use in my creative processes.

Two new seasonal octopi on display at a market.

For example, and one of my latest second-hand finds, are these two octopi. The moment I saw them, I knew exactly what I wanted to make: Two seasonally themed octopi, one inspired by autumn and the other inspired by spring. I had never seen leaf-shaped pots like this before, and I was so keen to get creating with them! It just shows you never know what you’re going to find while browsing your local OP shop, and the best part is, you’re helping the planet in the process as well!

When designing my craft room, my grandpa had the amazing idea of using one of our old and broken gazebos to construct a sturdy shelf within our wardrobe. We pulled apart the gazebo frame and used some melamine boards to create a spacious shelving system – which not only saved us money and prevented us from throwing away the frame which was able to be reused in ways I never could have imagined!

These are just a handful of the ways we reduce waste within our small business. I can see ways that we can improve, and these are changes I am hoping to make throughout 2025. However, whenever I see any discussion regarding sustainability, I can’t help but feel a touch of disappointment – because it is always aimed toward the little people. People like you and me. The small businesses, creators and artisans. The everyday do-gooders and the taxpayers. The people struggling to make a living as is. Where is the accountability towards the giants? There is no denying that it is important for all of us to strive to make changes to be more environmentally conscious. There are billions of us on this earth, and each of us can and should endeavour to make a positive impact – and so many of us do! So, it feels like a real punch in the face when giant businesses, corporations and celebrities are killing our planet before our eyes – and getting paid for it! Why am I scrounging through bubble wrap when BP is dumping oil in the ocean? Why are we drinking through disintegrating paper straws when billionaires are taking jets around the globe? Why are we, the people of this earth, expected to clap our hands like seals toward corporate and false-feminist escapades which are killing the earth? (Looking at you Jeff Bezos, Katy Perry and company!)

There is some speculation to whether this 11-minute 'space voyage' was staged. However, if it wasn't, considerable damage has been done to the environment through not only the launch but the testing phases in lead up to the event, which amounted to nothing more than 10 minutes of passing around little trinkets and staring at cameras.

I have so many questions. And I have many criticisms I could scream from the rooftops in hopes they would be heard. That’s why I am writing this blog, after all. I want change. I want better for all of us. I want better for the billions of people suffering and struggling to make rent. I want a happier and healthier planet to live on; because there is no Planet B – and there shouldn’t have to be for us to survive. If we cannot learn from our mistakes now – what use is there for a second planet for us to ruin instead? As I wrote earlier: perfection is not the solution. But I believe accountability is, alongside the ongoing actions of the little people – the everyday legends like you, dear reader! You keep us going and your actions for better aren’t going unnoticed! Happy (belated) Earth Day! What are your thoughts on this week’s blog? What sustainable measures do you take in your everyday life and/or small business? Do you feel the same way about the greed and corporate greed hurting our efforts to save the world? I would love to know your thoughts!

Kimberley (they/them)

Accessories by Antoinette