Cave Paper, 2022 SESBA Winner!
I’m excited to announce that Cave Paper has been named a winner in the Sustainable Earth Small Business Awards! Cave Paper was recognized for the strides we’re making toward a more sustainable future.
Check out our Sustainability Story to learn more about the ways we are reimagining our water systems and use.
Cave Paper was one of just 15 small businesses throughout the US recognized for its innovative solutions and approaches to sustainability, which aimed to reduce waste and water use, conserve energy, and increase equity and accessibility, among other initiatives.
Cave Paper will be recognized on Sustainable Earth to provide other businesses ideas and best practices for implementing sustainability into their operations.
The times I feel the most hopeful about the future of our environment are when I see examples of businesses and individuals implementing sustainable practices and demonstrating how possible it really is. I hope that by working toward my own sustainability goals, I can create an example that will inspire others to look at their own use of resources and imagine new ways of doing so.
Thank you Sustainable Earth for supporting the next phase of water conservation at Cave Paper!
“We were blown away by the innovative solutions these small businesses and individuals have developed to positively impact the environment and the communities they each serve,” said Sustainable Earth Program Manager Katelyn Armbruster, M.Ed. “It was challenging to select just 15 winners, but these businesses really rose to the top for the difference they’re making and the commitment they’ve dedicated to sustainability.”
Water is integral to papermaking, and on a production scale, we use quite a bit of it. When I became the owner and operator of Cave Paper and relocated the studio to my hometown in Arizona, I knew that I would need to prioritize designing new systems around our water use.
At the end of 2021, I participated in SCALE UP, a state sponsored program that is designed to help businesses and institutions gain a holistic understanding of sustainability issues they face, as well as outline steps to improve problem areas.
With the help of this program, I was able to outline my goals regarding water use:
- Capture 100% of Grey Water
- Filter and Treat Grey Water to be Reused in Papermaking Process
In addition to conserving resources, taking these steps is also cost-saving and creates a resilient business model. As I open the studio for tours and workshops, there are also opportunities for community engagement and education around conservation and sustainability.
Now with the support of Sustainable Earth, I can take the next steps in implementing my water system plans.
For more, visit sustainable-earth.org.
