A SUSTAINABLE DIRECTION FOR CRAFTERS

Large-scale manufacturing is a process that can mass-produce large quantities of goods at a low cost and in short periods of time. Thanks to this, we have the luxury to buy food, clothing and other necessities at affordable prices and almost whenever we want.

But large-scale manufacturing has a dark side. Factories, where most mass production processes take place, are huge contributors to pollution and waste. In fact, the fast fashion industry alone is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, 20% of global industrial water pollution and produces 92 million tons of textile waste per year.

If we don’t find more sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives, we’ll come to the point of doing irreversible damage to our planet. And luckily, handcrafted goods may be one such option.

Handcrafted goods have a much smaller carbon footprint compared to mass-produced products. There are three main reasons why this is so.

Firstly, most mass-production processes take place in energy-intensive factories, which are powered by fossil fuel and coal power plants, which cause massive air pollution. Handcrafters make their products by hand or with simple equipment, like a sewing machine, which need little to no power.

The second reason why handcrafting is more sustainable is because the materials used to make handcrafted goods tend to be more eco-friendly than the materials used in large-scale manufacturing.

Large-scale manufacturing aims to produce as many items as cheaply as possible, so they try to cut costs wherever they can. This includes using whatever materials are cheapest, even synthetic materials and chemical dyes, which are made using energy-intensive methods and can cause pollution.

Handcrafters, on the other hand, tend to favour materials such as bamboo or wool, which are much eco-friendlier and more sustainable. Some crafters even make their goods with recycled materials, such as using an old pair of jeans to make a bag.

Lastly, mass production generates a lot of waste. Leftover materials, products with defects or misprints and even unsold stock get thrown away and end up in a landfill. Most factories don’t recycle or reuse them because it’s cheaper and easier to throw them away.

For crafters, it’s a different story. Since they make products in much smaller quantities and each product requires more time and effort to make, they’re less inclined to be so quick to throw their products away. Goods with defects can be reused and leftover materials can be used to make other, smaller products, such as using cloth scraps in a quilt or pouch.

In a world increasingly aware of its environmental impact, choosing to buy handcrafted goods isn’t just a purchase—it’s a statement. By purchasing handcrafted goods, you can not only support artisans and small businesses, but you can also play a part in building a more sustainable future. Every small choice adds up, and together, we can make a real difference for our planet.

-Ashley, Blogger at www.eatdrinkplay.online