Sustainability within Helen Rose Glass

When it comes to glass there's no getting away from the fact that I have to create my designs using a kiln and that requires electricity. In March 2024 I took action to make my practice more eco friendly by installing solar panels. The small kiln fires completely off solar power and the big kiln will fire from solar combined with the battery (that's charged up by solar energy) and mains electric. Over the summer 2024 I have had the small kiln on daily firing small pieces for students and my own Christmas decorations. My aim is to make as many Christmas decorations as I can purely on solar energy. So far over 150 have been created on solar power.

All glass that's used in UK for fusing comes from USA. It is shipped from Portland, Oregon and ends up with around 5 different UK suppliers (could be a few more so don't quote me on that lol). I have a supplier 2 miles away from me in Essex and get the majority of my glass from them....as well as being close they're a friendly bunch who offer cups of tea while you shop it's a no brainer really. Collecting the glass in person means I don't need lots of packaging, can select exactly what I need and keep those road miles to a minimum.

I used corrugated card rolls and bubble wrap to package the glass at craft fairs and for students who've been on workshops. The cardboard can easily be recycled from doorstep collections but bubble wrap can be problematic. From time to time I have to buy bubble wrap but I also get huge amounts of it donated to me by family members or regular workshop students. Most of what I'm currently using previously packaged new school tables/chairs so is getting reused. If I send you glass in the post please don't be surprised if it's sent in a box that's had a previous use too. It helps keep costs down for you and is good for the planet.