Emily W. Kincke Photography

Here are some things I am and have been doing to work towards a “greener” life in art:

1. Recycle - I recycle all everything I can: product packaging, unusable paper, plastic, etc. In my studio, I have a separate receptacle for recycling that gets put into our large recycle can for pick-up each week. I print all my 8.5×11 or smaller images (including greeting cards) on 100% post-consumer recycled content photo matte paper.

2. Re-purpose - I buy or get most of my storage pieces second-hand. I love the character, charm, and chance to re-purpose something that was originally created to be used for something else.

3. LED light bulbs – I use them in my office and home. These bulbs not only last indefinitely and reduce energy bills because they put off less heat, they:

* reduce CO2 emissions, thereby positively affecting the greenhouse effect
* decrease by 50% the global amount of electricity used for lighting
* provide higher quality lighting
* decrease by 10% the total global consumption of electricity (projected to be about 1.8 TW·h/yr, or $120 billion per year, by the year 2025)
* reduce projected 2025 global carbon emissions by about 300 million metric tons per year
* create new industries and jobs

4. Recycled Wood or Bamboo Frames – I am now using Eco Care frames for some of my work. The frames are 100% bamboo grass which is a self-renewing sustainable resource, the finish is water-based stains with no oils or chemical solvents, the mat board is made from recycled paper and is biodegradable, the backing board is made from recycled wood pulp, and the packaging is made from recycled paper and can be then recycled with other cardboard materials. I’m also still researching framing that is either made from reclaimed lumber or 100% reused wood. I do hope to make my own sustainable frames.

Here are some things I plan to do in the near future to work towards a “greener” life in art:

1. Plant trees for my customers – I will either plant them myself or have an organization help me.

2. Cotton/Recycled Mat Board – I’m researching mat board to be used in framing that is not only archival, but either cotton, tree-free, or 100% recycled.

3. Green Building – I will gradually phase out my current furniture and I plan to build my own studio using re-purposed furniture from hand-me-downs or secondhand stores, bamboo, organic, and other sustainable pieces, reclaimed lumber for anything else, and zero v.o.c. and solvent free wall paint.