Why do you support SAS?
Recently our studio partnered with Surfers Against Sewage by joining their SAS 250 Club, a group of companies coming together with the aim to drive forward a movement for environmental change and protection of our coastlines.
Our ceramic studio based in St Ives sits a few hundred yards from Porthmeor beach, a place our whole team has loved and enjoyed over the years. The Cornish coastline is our muse and permeates every aspect of our work from form to glaze and texture. Growing up and working with nature by our side has made us all very passionate about protecting and cherishing our oceans.
Plastics are polluting our seas and beaches in unprecedented quantities, killing sea life and entering our food chain.
Whilst plastic bottles and bags are the most visible signs of plastic pollution there is also an invisible threat from micro fibres and micro beads which are entering and food and fresh water supplies. A recent report estimated that 70% of the worlds fresh water supplies contain micro plastic particles. These have unknown and currently unmeasurable impacts on human health. Plastics do not biodegrade so our pollution will remain in our food and water for generations to come.
SAS is a locally based charity which works tirelessly to combat environmental pollution of our oceans. They enter schools to educate younger generations on the effects of waste in marine eco systems, organise beach cleans with countless supporters and campaign for governments and industry to do more to tackle the problem of throwaway plastic.
How can I help?
SAS needs financial support! They continue their work through the backing of their supporters which is why as part of our 250 club membership we have committed to monthly donations. If you want to be a part of a great cause, you can become a member and show your support.
As a studio, we are mindful of our impact on the environment and prefer to make ceramics with minimal use of scarce resources and low levels of pollution. With this in mind we throw by hand using kick wheels (powered kinetically by the maker), fire using electricity from renewables, source the majority of our clays and materials locally, and make use of recyclable materials for storage and packaging. We also send all our glazes off to a public analyst to make sure they’re non-toxic.
Dor & Tan are coordinating this years beach clean for Porthmeor Beach, taking place on October 22nd at 12pm
All of us also want to help in a more direct way and have volunteered to coordinate the 2017 Autumn Beach Clean for Porthmeor Beach in St Ives. If you would like to join us the event is on the 22nd October at 12pm meeting near the Lifeguards hut.
How can I be more mindful of my waste?
Buying from companies that are mindful of their waste, buying quality not quantity and prevent throwing away toxic items such as plastics that perish quickly by avoiding them.
Our team designs ceramics to be minimal, classic and serve their function perfectly, items to be cherished and are timeless. Objects to be handed down through generations and used over and over, unlike plastic items which after a few years need to replaced. We can all make a change by reducing our waste by buying items with longevity in our lives rather than shortly filling a purpose.
Finally, we’d be grateful for you to attend the Autumn beach clean! We really want these events to become part of our annual calendar, so we can do our best support SAS and their campaigns as they emerge.
Hope to see you soon!
The Dor & Tan team
