Sustainability

Managing a sustainable business is at the heart of what we do.

Powered by a deep respect for our natural environment, Casa Adams strives to make our business as sustainable as possible. Outlined below are our main policies:

Carbon sequestration through Carbon Positive Australia

For each piece that is sold, a native tree or shrub is planted through Carbon Positive Australia’s carbon sequestration projects throughout Australia. You can see their current projects here.

As of December 2024, we have planted 1817 trees.

In 2024, all Casa Adams studio operations added around 4 tonnes of C02, however due to the planting of 327 trees through Carbon Positive Australia, it offset 47 tonnes of C02, making it a regenerative studio.

Giving back for a more sustainable environmental and social future

In addition to donating to Carbon Positive Australia, the studio also makes monthly donations to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Wilderness Society, Greenpeace and the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation.

Supporting SIMS (Sydney Institute of Marine Science)

For the last few years, Casa Adams has donated work worth thousands of dollars to be auctioned off at the SIMS Annual Emerald Fundraising Gala. The funds support vital work undertaken by SIMS, such as Project Restore. In addition to donating work, the studio runs art & natural history classes where marine biologists/ecologists will share their knowledge about the species that is being painted and they are an expert on.

Working out of an environmentally regenerative ceramics studio

All Casa Adams ceramics are hand made and painted in an award-winning studio in Inner West Sydney. The studio, called Coconut Crab given the hand painted tiled mural on the facade, is constructed to passive house principles: it has recycled materials throughout and boasts a highly insulated envelope. It is 100 per cent electric and produces enough solar energy to power 85 per cent of its operations, including two energy intensive kilns.

The studio is designed by Alexander Symes Architects and won the award for Commercial Architecture (Small) at the 2024 Architecture & Design Sustainability.

Biodegradable and recyclable packaging

All ceramic pieces come in their own individual boxes, manufactured in Australia from recycled cardboard by the Brisbane-based, family run company Craftpak. Additionally, all orders are wrapped in recyclable packaging*. From the stickers to the tape, cardboard, hemp cord, wrapping and shredded paper and corn peanuts and marketing materials enclosed (i.e. business cards, postcards), all the material is either biodegradable, recycled or from sustainably managed paper sources. Occasionally bubble wrap may be used, but it is post-consumer waste (we probably received a parcel which had some in it) and has been rescued from going to landfill. In these cases, we would invite the recipient to reuse it where possible to prolong its life.

* The shipping labels are made from sustainably managed paper sources, however due to the nature of their glue, they cannot be recycled.

Marketing materials

All our printed marketing materials - postcards, business cards and stickers - are printed by PrintTogether in Melbourne. They only use recycled paper and all their inks and toner are environmentally friendly.

Shipping through Australia Post

We ship all our wares through Australia Post who are actively reducing their emissions through a range of initiatives, including operating the largest electric delivery vehicle fleet in Australia and generating more of their own solar energy.

Mindfulness

We strive be sustainably mindful in our day to day operations. These include recycling, composting, limiting water use in the studio, ensuring we create as little waste as possible, limiting our use of printing and banking ethically and sustainably to name a few. Additionally, our new studio overlooks our garden, which is covered in native plants, creating a habitat for the local species.