Embracing Circularity: A Model for a Sustainable Future in Ceramics

The circular economy is built on three core principles, as outlined by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Reduce, Preserve, and Regenerate. By rethinking how we design, use, and dispose of materials, we can shift from a wasteful linear system to one that sustains resources, minimizes pollution, and restores natural cycles.

1️ Reduce: Designing Out Waste & Pollution

Reduction starts at the design stage—creating products with minimal negative impact. This means rethinking materials, harnessing resources from existing products, and exploring innovative ways to repurpose waste. For example, how can ceramic waste be integrated into new designs rather than discarded? Questions like these push us toward creative, sustainable solutions.

2️ Preserve: Keeping Materials in Use

To maximise the lifespan of finite resources, we must keep products in circulation for as long as possible. One powerful example is the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken ceramics are repaired using gold lacquer, highlighting cracks rather than hiding them. This philosophy mirrors our relationship with materials—valuing their history and extending their life instead of discarding them.

Katherine and Jay Wolf, in their book Suffer Strong, beautifully describe Kintsugi as a reflection of resilience:

“The story of kintsugi—this style of pottery—may be the most perfect embodiment of all our trauma-shattered lives... Instead of throwing away the broken beloved pottery, we’ll fix it in a way that doesn’t pretend it hasn’t been broken but honours the breaking—and more so, the surviving—by highlighting those repaired seams with gold lacquer. Now the object is functional once again and dignified, not discarded. It’s stronger and even more valuable because of its reinforced, golden scars.”

Beyond craftsmanship, preservation applies to industries across the board. In ceramics, for instance, I once attended a glaze-making course where errors in ingredient calculations led to materials being discarded—wasted potential and harmful environmental consequences. If we shift toward circularity, such materials could be recaptured and reused, keeping them out of landfills and in productive cycles.

3️ Regenerate: Restoring Natural Systems

True sustainability isn’t just about reducing harm—it’s about actively restoring the environment. The natural world operates in closed-loop systems, where nothing goes to waste. Our challenge is to replicate this model.

“The reason there’s no waste in nature is that all natural cycles work in closed loops, meaning there are nearly zero resource losses throughout the process. The circular model aims to mimic this system by creating a model that supports, improves, and protects the global ecosystem.” RECAPP

By designing with circularity in mind, we can ensure that products are:
✅ Repairable rather than disposable
✅ Reusable in new contexts
✅ Made from materials that can be safely recycled

This shift isn't just a possibility—it's a necessity. By embracing circular principles, we reduce our dependence on finite resources, lessen our landfill burden, and create a world that not only sustains but regenerates itself for future generations.

♻️ What are some innovative ways you've seen materials repurposed in ceramic design? Let's keep the conversation going!

Circular Ceramics: Reducing Waste, Honoring Craft

In 2023, Australia generated approximately 75.8 million tonnes of waste. While a significant portion was recycled, far too much still ended up in landfill—including ceramics, which take an exceptionally long time to break down.

For ceramic students and makers, experimentation is essential. Mistakes, trials, and learning are all part of the creative journey. But what happens to the countless pots that don’t make the cut? Too often, they are discarded, adding to the growing waste problem.

A Sustainable Approach to Ceramics

As a creator, I am committed to reducing this impact—both in my own practice and within my studio. Sustainability is at the core of everything I make.

Instead of discarding broken or unusable ceramic pieces, I reclaim and mill them into a fine powder, incorporating them into my recycled clay. While a small amount of commercial clay is needed to maintain plasticity, the milled ceramic strengthens the clay, allowing me to lower firing temperatures while still producing durable, functional pieces.

Closing the Loop: A Research-Driven Process

This work is part of an ongoing research project exploring how waste and industrial byproducts can be transformed into new, meaningful ceramics. By repurposing discarded materials, we can:
✔ Reduce landfill waste
✔ Minimize reliance on raw material mining
✔ Extend the life of ceramic resources

Every piece I create carries this mission forward. If you’ve purchased my work or attended a class, you are directly supporting a labor of love and a commitment to a more sustainable craft—one with deep therapeutic benefits that should remain accessible to all.

Return & Reuse: Keep the Cycle Going

If your piece ever breaks, I encourage you to return it to me so it can be reused in future creations. As a thank you, I’ll offer a 20% discount on your next order when you bring back the broken pieces.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can honor the beauty of ceramics while protecting our planet.