The ceramic industry is well known for its toxic waste. That is why it is very important to undertake an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and have an effective policy in place for this business. ​​

There are specific issues arising with management of waste in the glazing process, stamp making process and seconds of fired stock in my business. This is dealt with in detail in our EMP. I am the owner operator of Kiri Booth Designs (KBD) and as such take complete responsibility for any environmental impact of my work. ​​This is a great positive, because I know exactly what, where and how each aspect of my business is run.

My objective in this EMP was to determine the critical aspects of the environmental impact of my work and to mitigate any lasting damage this might cause to our environment in New Zealand. KBD’s policy is to protect the environment, to mitigate or avoid damage, or use substances that can cause any long term effect to the environment.

Choosing not to use toxic chemicals such as lead, barium, vanadium is the best first choice.

• KBD chooses lead free glazes, and disposes of any toxic substances correctly (not down the drain) according to our local waste management facility guidelines.

• This includes but is not limited to drying out any potentially wet particles and wrapping any toxic chemicals securely and disposing of in the appropriate way.

• If using lustres any brushes are thoroughly wiped, dried and disposed of according to our local waste management facility.

• Stamp making uses a photo sensitive plastic substance, any particles that are washed off are then put into a bucket and dried then wrapped and disposed of according to our local waste management facility guidelines.

• Clay and glaze particles are dealt with similarly, including any wash or wiping from oxides.

• No elements that are toxic go near the drains or waterways.

• Dry spills are vacuumed into a bag and disposed of according to our local waste management facilty guidlines.

• Any products supplied to KBD are subject to vigorous assessment of their ethical sources and evaluated constantly for their environmental impact in the process of making and transport.

• All waste clay is recycled and reused and any seconds that have been fired can be ground down for grog and added to the clay body in use at the time.

• Cards and packaging can be re-used or go into landfill, and will break down naturally under these circumstances. All packaging is second hand cardboard and all packing fill is the same.

We have a dust minimisation strategy. The use of an air filtration mask when making glazes is paramount, particularly when working with lustres, because the resultant fumes are harmful to the lungs.

Here at Kiri Booth Design, we firmly believe in sustainability of our products.

1. No item should leave our store without having been subjected to rigorous testing not only in the making but in the long term use of our pieces. In otherwords they should be so well made that they last indefinitely.

2. All of our components are bio-degradable or recyclable in some way shape or form. Ceramic pendants will last forever. However, if required, a ceramic object can be ground down and used as a composite for a clay body called 'grog'. Any unwanted items can be returned to us at any time for this purpose.