Setting up an eco-friendly craft business is inspiring but, at times, challenging.
Probably you might be interested but not quite sure where to start if you’re a creative person with a craft mind, then lucky for you because our post outlines how to start an eco-friendly craft business.
Forget about your top-notch product design and presentation, and there are many things to work on.
I have a list of 10 valuable tips that you can implement in the quest to save the planet.
Number 3 will shock you the most.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Tips To Start an Eco-Friendly Craft Business
While there are excellent craft business opportunities and ideas, entrepreneurs need to send a message to their customers about sustainable living. This is important!
Introduce them to 3R – reduce, reuse and recycle. Remember that consumers prefer sustainable products.
- Use Recycle materials
The good news is that the circular economy is starting to pick up globally.
The whole idea is to eliminate thrash as much as possible while identifying innovative ways of recycling waste.
But, first off, conduct rigorous market research to identify recyclable items.
For a craft business, the options are infinite.
For instance, a cloth designer can opt to recycle old but fashioned linens to craft beautiful t-shirts.
Makers and designers use recyclable materials for packaging their products.
More and more persons throw away valuable materials in the open. Some can be given a new touch and lease of life.
- Use boxes to pack your products.
- Old newspapers can wrap your fragile items
- Opt for pallet wood to create attractive wall hangings
- Plastic and paper can be recycled into useful things
- You can use sea glass to craft excellent jewelry pieces.
- Use recycled furniture
- Biodegradable bubble wrap
- Packing peanuts
Recycling waste is part of the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan.
You can churn out construction waste in plenty of materials such as plaster, concrete, and more in your craft business.
Don’t just throw them into a dustbin or streams.
2. Reuse postage supplies
This is another undisputable idea that you can employ in order to attain a profitable eco-friendly craft business.
Reuse materials and boxes that come with packages of products.
Every time a package arrives, unbox the product keenly to make sure any large boxes are in shape.
Disassemble and use them as protective surfaces in your craft workshops. Step on them when painting.
- Use small boxes to store things that can harm the environment.
- Reuse the small boxes for orders as you dispatch them to your customers
- Use an eco-friendly business model.
Simply put – create and implement a sustainable business model.
Making a switch to this model is what every entrepreneur would like to achieve.
Of course, there must be reasons for this, and some include:
- It makes your craft business more unique and attractive to eco-conscious people
- Minimizes your carbon footprint on the environment
- It’s profitable (helps you save money)
- Reduces your energy needs from non-renewable sources
As a craftsperson, give old pieces of jewelry and beads a new breadth of life.
You can also splash in color to pallets and use them to craft a stylish wall.
4. Work with eco-friendly suppliers and companies.
There could be many eco-friendly companies seeking businesses that share the same goal.
Look for them as they can share earth-friendly practices that would help in achieving green business.
If you’re working towards a positive change, then such collaborations can double this.
Consider the suppliers who care about the planet just like you do.
Let them supply your construction materials, office furniture, and carvings.
It will make a big difference.
5. Shop Second-Hand items
Opt to buy second-hand materials for your craft business rather than new ones.
Only consider brand new items if there’s a need for that.
Quite often, you’ll come across second-hand items which are reusable.
Some areas are good as new items. Some may last for a longer time than new ones.
Why is this a good deal?
- These items are cheaper (saves you some bucks)
- Some are durable than new ones
- Doing so keeps the environment safe
The furniture upcycling business is a good example of this. The process is pretty simple.
The startup cost is low.
Buy, refurbish and sell high.
6. Source natural, sustainable, and quality materials
Crafting is exciting and fun. In this industry, you’ll need a lot of materials.
So if you’re not careful, some of them can pose threats to the environment.
Having said that, look for a reliable source where you can get sustainable materials.
To ‘go green’ it’s advisable to use:
- Natural materials
- Sustainable materials
- High-quality materials
- Ensure the materials are of fair trade
If you’re making candles, go for wood wicks or cotton made from planted-based ingredients like beeswax, coconut wax, or soy wax.
All these are natural and environmentally safe.
Some brands like Warehouse Craft Supplies do offer natural materials for crafting businesses in retail.
You can enjoy huge discounts.
Know the materials you need first before you visit the retail store. That will be justifiable.
7. Know your customers
Start by knowing your ideal customers.
Some consumers would prefer to buy eco-friendly products as they share environmental goals.
But they may not be in a position to identify these items.
If you’re dealing with kid’s clothing, then you should target eco-conscious parents.
For hand-turn open pens, the ideal customers are image-conscious professionals.
Defining your potential consumers in your craft business guides you in:
- Creating enticing product descriptions
- Displaying your products
- Deciding which eco-craft forums shows to attend
- Have unique product designs
- Support an eco-friendly brand or cause
Many craft businesses do host in-store events.
Participate in these events and forums organized by the local eco-friendly organization in your area.
If not that, you can host such events.
This signals how you support the brand.
Appreciate the proponents or those doing good things to better the environment.
At the same time, you’ll have a chance to encourage those who want to go green.
It’s not a fad. Most of these consumers are asking for it.
9. Sustainably wrap items for shipping.
It’s a no-brainer! Apart from using eco-friendly materials and packing products, wrapping is another priority.
What you choose to wrap those precious handmade items for shipping matters a lot.
What are the eco-friendly ways to wrap them?
- Use tissue paper: should be 100 percent recyclable
- Fabric scraps: the coolest method to use waste or leftovers from furniture or sewing projects
- Handmade canvas bags: upcycled and natural fabric material
- Natural Craft Paper: this is a material that’s frequently and quickly recycled
- Natural twines and ropes: Use cotton, jute, linen, raw wool, paper, nettle to tie packed goods, especially if you’re in the clothing industry
Look for cardboard boxes, but skip the ones that feature plastic coating.
10. Make sustainability a part of your business
If you want your craft business to be as eco-earthly as possible, it’s important to make conscientious decisions.
From reusing packaging, recycled bags, unloved buttons, beautiful pieces of art, and pebble and stones for jewelry.
Use empty bottles to display handmade things like flowers.
Besides, you can use empty glass jars to store some products.
That way, you’ll discourage the depletion of natural resources to some extent.
This is one of the few best ways to battle out carbon in your craft business.
Let these good practices be part of your plan.
Better yet, let this part of your brand story.
I feel like I can do more. You’ll be in a better place if your consult the environmentalists on the best ways to achieve this without hefty expenses.
11. Use digital Recordkeeping
Abandon paperwork for e-receipts. With advanced technology, you can send receipts via text or email.
You can implement this in your craft business. Only provide the paper receipts to customers they ask for.
According to Wildlife Conservation Society reports, more than 3.5 billion trees are cut down annually to facilitate paper production globally.
After all, most people are entirely on board with the digital world. They’re even happy when you don’t engage them in paperwork.
As a result, your business won’t dispose of papers as some of them may harm the environment when exposed in the open.
You could save the office supply and paper costs over the year.
Think of the amount of craft waste your company is tossing in the landfill.
It might be a small change – but excellent results. The zero-waste lifestyle will also be enhanced.
Other things to pay attention to include:
- Use renewable resources – consider wind as one way to generate electricity for your plant.
- Reduce fossil fuel use
Conclusion
There’s a demand for crafty things in the market.
But before everything else, think about ways to be more eco-friendly in your craft business.
Go for practices that won’t harm the environment.
If consumers are going green, then retailers should embrace these practices.
Reuse postage supplies, use recycled materials, employ an eco-friendly business model, among others.
Let your creativity flow by starting your craft business.
It could be the best time for your own business to take off.
