The Sky is the Limit: Pottery for the Planet
The radiant light and energy from the sun has been harnessed into your daily cuppa thanks to a local business with creating pottery with the planet in mind, as Carlie Wacker discovers.
Pottery for the Planet is big business in low emissions, and they have just launched an Australian first in their range of handmade travel cups.
Introducing the solar-fired travel cup.
“We are transforming our business and using our resources to inspire change,” Pottery For The Planet director Renton Bishopric said. “Achieving a low-emissions travel cup involved big changes to the way we make our products, switching out part of our production from a gas-fired kiln to a solar-fired kiln, thanks to new and exciting solar technology.”
Ninety-eight solar panels were installed on Pottery for the Planet’s studio in Noosa, harnessing enough solar energy to power the kiln and run the operations side of the business.
The Sunshine Coast-based pottery business, renowned around the world for its beautiful hand-made travel cups has amassed a social media following that boasts over 104,000 passionate Instagram followers – many of which are ceramicists that are now inspired to find ways to use renewable energy to fire their kilns too.
Pottery For The Planet is certainly using its social influence to encourage other people and businesses to re-think their energy use.
“We are passionate about playing a role in reducing carbon emissions, and with solar you not only fulfil your duty of care for the planet, but you’re also reducing your energy bills and enabling your business to grow,” Renton added.
“We’ve already prevented 9.3 tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere so far; that’s the same as planting 278 trees – and that figure is only going to grow.
“So we’re encouraging other businesses to jump on board the renewable energy train, because it’s a sure-fire winner.”
Renton knows all about the wins having grown Pottery For The Planet to the point they are now rolling out more than 500 cups a week.
The limited-edition Solar travel cup is a collaboration with The Climate Council and 50% of profit from every sale of the Sunny Day travel cup goes directly to them. You can buy yours at www.potteryfortheplanet.com.
This is just another example of how Noosa is leading the way in sustainable living and with smart planning and community take-up we are well and truly on our way to becoming Australia’s first plastic free paradise.
Plastic Free Noosa helps protect our incredibly special place by educating and supporting our people and businesses to reduce and eventually eliminate single-use plastics in our town.
And it’s working – so far Plastic Free Noosa has eliminated 4.5 million pieces of plastic, have 153 business members and 69 plastic free champions.
IN Noosa Magazine is proud to be one of the Plastic Free Noosa Champions.
From solar powered pottery to Plastic Free Noosa. let’s lead the charge in people protecting the planet, together.
How to Live a Plastic Free Life
-Drink from reusable coffee cups and water bottles
-Eat fresh and unprocessed food to avoid food packaging
-Use real plates, cutlery and fabric napkins rather than disposable
-Buy in bulk and refill your existing jars and bottles
-Use refillable friends rather than disposable
-Support businesses that are going plastic-free
