To promote sustainable products, you must use sustainable products first. To prove that authenticity, here are eco-friendly materials that will help lessen waste and harm towards the environment. By doing so, it will support the UN Sustainable Development Goals like SDG (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By consistently using these eco-friendly materials, you would not only minimize negative environmental impact but also help promote a more responsible art practice.
In the Philippines, zero-waste stores have been gaining popularity (Dito Sa Pilipinas, 2024). One of them is based in Pasig City—a zero-waste store called Humble Market. They offer wide ranges of sustainable and ethical products like reusable bags, bamboo toothbrushes, stainless steel straws, refillable cleaning supplies, and organic food. Additionally, they also host workshops and events to help people learn more about living sustainably. Although, they are not a full art store, their materials offer alternatives to pens made out of plastic and synthetic paints. For example, their recycled notebook may cost ₱100- ₱150, compared to the notebooks from mainstream stores that cost around ₱60- ₱80.
For more specific sustainable art stores, The Craft Central offers a range of sustainable art supplies. They sell art products like locally-made sketchpads, calligraphy inks, paper goods, and handmade rubber stamps, often in eco-friendly packaging. Their kraft sketchpad costs around ₱150, which is slightly cheaper than branded sketchpads like Canson which costs around ₱200- ₱250 and they come in plastic often. For their rubber stamps, they cost from a range of ₱120- ₱200, and they also support local artisans instead of relying on plastic-heavy supplies (The Craft Central, n.d.).
Another sustainable brand is Papemelroti as they are known for using 100% recycled materials for their products. They sell DIY art kits, kraft notebooks, sketchpads, and wooden stamps (Papemelroti, n.d.). Their recycled sketchpad may cost around ₱90-₱130, which is affordable and eco-friendly compared to the mainstream alternatives. They are printed in small batches to reduce waste while also supporting local artisans and businesses.
While sustainable art supplies are slightly more expensive than the mainstream ones, they create less waste and are much more organic. A few extra pesos can mean using biodegradable, upcycled materials instead of the disposable and plastic ones.
Choosing eco-friendly materials does not mean compromising art. If anything, it’s an opportunity to create more intentionally. As more Filipino artists become aware of their environmental impact, stores like Humble Market, The Craft Central, and Papemelroti offer more mindful ways to creativity, making you reflect not just on your art style, but for your values too.