How would you explain your organization in 300 words or less?
Lava Glass is comprised of a glassblowing studio, gallery, glass sculpture garden and café. Founded in 2002, the complex offers unique New Zealand inspired glass art and a fascinating window into the world of glassmaking. Over the years owner, Lynden Over, has created an original range of collectable glassware and many award-winning works.
How is sustainability incorporated into your process?
Lava Glass owners, Lynden Over and Christine Robb have worked to reduce their carbon footprint and to sequester some of the carbon released in the making of their artworks. First, they converted their gas hungry furnace to an electric furnace and used the clean green electricity which is available in New Zealand to run it. They have also converted to electric cars. For the carbon sequestration programme, they have planted 100 ha of pine trees and 25ha of New Zealand native trees. The native tree planting is part of an environmental benefit programme which links pathways of native bush creating wildlife corridors. Waste reduction has also been a focus and in 2021 they diverted 67% of Lava Glass waste away from landfill.
Lynden’s and Christine’s efforts prove that it is absolutely possible to reduce the carbon footprint of an energy-intensive art form like glass blowing. Lava Glass has measured its carbon emissions via independent auditing by Toituū Envirocare. Together with Toituū Envirocare, Lava Glass developed a Greenhouse Gas emissions management plan and reduction targets for the coming years to reduce the small quantity of carbon left in their processes.
Lynden and Christine believe in going the extra mile for sustainability and see their Toituū Carbonzero Certification (an internationally recognized assessment) as an effective way to reduce their environmental impact.
What was the reason you decided to pursue sustainable practices?
Lynden and Christine weren’t prepared to continue as a glass artists if they couldn’t do it in a sustainable way. Environmental mindfulness in art is something which these two glass artists have been focusing on for the past two years. Because Lynden’s work is inspired by the rugged New Zealand landscapes, it seemed necessary to be mindful of that environment. Glass has not conventionally been associated with “Environmental art”. In fact, the act of turning sand into glass takes an incredible amount of heat. However, sustainability is incredibly important to Lynden and Christine and creating beautiful everlasting objects of art with zero carbon was their new challenge.
What would you like to see in the future for sustainability in art?
We look forward to the time in our future where our tree planting activity is off-setting more carbon than we have released in our entire glass blowing careers.This will happen in approximately six years when our baby trees have grown. It would be great to connect with other environmentally conscious artists.
What impact are you seeing & how do you measure success?
We have been encouraged by the positive feedback from all over the world in our journey to become carbon zero.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your studio or organization?
Pre Covid-19, 75% of visitors to Lava Glass over the summer months were from overseas. This market stopped overnight when our country went into lockdown. We now have pivoted our business to cater to the New Zealand domestic market and are continually improving our on online presence. We look forward to the time when we have our overseas guest back at Lava Glass.