Carbon Neutral Design Studio - A Process for Sustainability in Graphic Design
Driving through the fires one day, flying above them a few days later. The past few weeks have been crazy on the East coast of Australia. The threat of climate change has felt very real and very close to home up here in Bangalow.
I actually had to drive from Sydney to Byron and then fly back down a week later and this put me right in the path of all the bushfires. Seeing first hand the land burning for thousands of kilometres was heart wrenching. We need to change our ways. We need a new business as usual. A more sustainable norm.
These bushfires have been the catalyst for this project, this new mission to become a carbon neutral or even carbon positive design studio.
I have recently moved to a new studio, moving from Byron Bay up to Bangalow. This move also means I now own the walls my studio sits within and with this ownership, comes more opportunity to change my set up.
First up will be to offset my electricity emissions as my business is predominantly digital based. This will involve installing solar on the property to cover the electricity usage during office hours. I’ll be looking into the possibility of a battery to help with shorter winter days and also to help the household electricity consumption.
Secondly I will be focussing on offsetting the equipment and resources I use to design my work. This will include offsetting my computer, screens, iPad and other physical Items I use to create my work.
Thirdly will be to offset my internet and phone network production costs. This will be more complex to calculate but will involve offsetting the energy and resources it takes for people to supply me with an internet connection and phone reception which I use for work.
Other things to consider will be a no waste policy for my studio regarding paper and pens. Working this out for any signwriting/painting jobs will definitely be tough. Is anyone has experience in this I’d love to chat! I will also be looking into more sustainable food options and water consumption for my food and drink and looking to offset that consumption required during the work day.
For now it seems that carbon offsets by supporting tree planting is a good way to go. We need more forests and less buildings so if I can help plant more tree’s which then help with carbon sequestration that’s awesome.
https://carbonneutral.com.au
https://15trees.com.au
I’ll be researching more options however would love to chat to anyone who has done a similar thing or has some good ideas!
I’ll share more on the process of becoming a carbon neutral and sustainable graphic design business as it progresses. I’ll also be looking to work with more sustainable and ethical business moving forwards, so if that’s you, get in touch!
