Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Art Supplies in Australia — Art Shed’s Green Mission

Why We Care (and Why You Should Too)

At Art Shed, we reckon creativity should feel good all round, not just for you, but for the planet too.

The art world can be messy (literally and environmentally), so we’re making changes in-store, online, and behind the scenes to reduce waste and support sustainable brands.

This blog is part guide, part storytime, and part cheeky reminder that art supplies don’t have to come at Earth’s expense.

What Art Shed Is Doing Green

We’re not just talking the talk, here’s what happens behind the roller door at our Moorabbin HQ:

Green power in-store: Our lights are powered by green energy, so the only thing guzzling fossil fuels here is your mate who forgot their keep cup.
Recycling and reusing boxes: Instead of printing our own branded shipping boxes, we reuse the sturdy ones we get from suppliers. Every order is an adventure - will your paints arrive in a Mont Marte box or a Winsor & Newton one? It’s part of the fun.
Eco packaging: We shred old boxes for filler and use paper over plastic wherever possible.
Freight offsetting: All deliveries are offset, meaning your package travels carbon-neutral (even if AusPost sometimes takes the scenic route).
Office hacks: Scrap paper becomes notebooks, old printouts become sketchpads, and we’ve gone mostly digital to cut down on waste.
Content sustainability: When filming videos, we reuse products and artworks instead of cracking open new packs every time. Waste not, want not.
We know we’re not perfect, but these are small, steady steps towards less waste and more mindful making.

Eco-Friendly Supplies You’ll Find at Art Shed

Here’s the fun part - let’s dive into the art supplies on our shelves that are eco, recycled, vegan, or just plain safer for you and the planet. We’ve grouped them so you can easily find what matters most to you.

Eco & Sustainable Materials

Yamato Rice Paste Glue - A plant-based, acid-free glue made from rice starch. It’s archival quality, kid-safe, and way gentler than synthetic glues.

Permaset Aqua Screen Printing Inks - 100% water-based, solvent-free inks made in Australia. They’re Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) approved and clean up with water, no harsh chemicals.

Lousy Ink Recycled Artist Ink - Born from upcycled printer cartridges, this ink is 100% recycled and water-based. It turns literal office waste into art.

Art Spectrum 25% Recycled Cotton Watercolour Pads - Made in Australia with recycled cotton fibres. FSC-certified, acid-free, and vegan.

Strathmore Recycled Pads - A big player in the recycled paper game, Strathmore pads often contain up to 30% post-consumer fibre.
 

Recycled & Responsible Papers

Mont Marte Recycled Toned Drawing Paper - 170gsm recycled sheets, ideal for dry media and sketching.
 

Fabriano Artistico Watercolour Pads - Fabriano are FSC-certified and their Artistico line is 100% cotton, produced with hydroelectric power and no animal-derived sizing.
 

Art Spectrum Colourfix Pads - Sustainably produced textured paper, archival and acid-free.
 

Yupo “Eco-Friendly” Paper - A durable synthetic paper that’s waterproof and tree-free.
 

Vegan & Cruelty-Free Choices

Art Spectrum Vegan Synthetic Brushes - High-quality synthetic fibres that mimic sable, minus the animal hair.
 

Mont Marte Gallery Series Brushes - Durable, affordable vegan-friendly brushes.
 

Da Vinci Pretty in Pink Brush - Limited edition and vegan, with part of proceeds supporting breast cancer research.
 

TAG Body Art & Face Paints - Non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free face paints that wash off with soap and water.
 

Non-Toxic Paints & Tools

Matisse Structure Acrylics - Aussie-made, non-toxic, free from heavy metals, and packed in 70% recycled cardboard boxes. Their factory recycles pigment and water too.
 

Atelier Interactive Acrylics - Non-toxic, professional-grade paints with innovative slow-dry technology.
 

Jo Sonja Acrylics - Non-toxic, water-based, artist-grade paints with a cult following.
 

Posca Paint Pens - Water-based, odourless, non-toxic paint markers. Safer than solvent-based alternatives.

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolours - Packaged in recyclable cardboard, non-toxic, and made with traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
 

Eco-Pencils & Drawing Tools

Faber-Castell Natural Colour Pencils - Made from 100% recycled materials and FSC-certified wood.

Faber-Castell Triangular & Classic Colour Pencils - FSC-certified, non-toxic, durable pencils.
 

Pentel Handy-line S Highlighters - Refillable and made with recycled plastic.

Faber-Castell Pitt Graphite Matt Pencil Set (11-pc) - Ultra-matte meets eco-awesomeness. These pencils grades (10B through 14B) are crafted from wood sourced from sustainable forestry, coated in non-toxic water-based varnish, and feature long-lasting SV-bonded leads plus a PVC-free eraser. Stunning on paper, gentle on the planet.

Faber-Castell Polychromos Colour Pencil Tin (36 pc) - Luxury drawing with less environmental guilt! These oil-based pencils are crafted from sustainably sourced wood, coated in water-based eco varnish, and bonded with SV for extreme durability. Vibrant, durable, and vegan-friendly, they're everything you’d want from an eco-smart kit.

Brand Spotlights: What Our Mates Are Doing

Every brand we stock is on their own sustainability journey. Here are a few standouts:

Faber-Castell – Runs carbon-neutral production with 10,000 hectares of self-owned forests in Brazil. Pencils are FSC-certified, varnishes are water-based, and they’re moving towards 100% renewable energy.
Matisse (Derivan) – Aussie innovators leading in non-toxic acrylics and inks, using 70% recycled cardboard packaging, and recycling wash-up water and pigments.
Micador – Green Earth range focuses on recycled pencils, FSC paper pads, and eco brushes.

Mont Marte – Making eco-friendly creativity accessible with FSC-certified canvas frames crafted from responsibly sourced timber. They’re focused on reducing environmental impact while keeping quality high, giving artists sustainable options without breaking the bank.

Fabriano – Italian paper powerhouse running on hydroelectric energy, FSC certified, and committed to waste reduction.
Permaset – Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) approved water-based inks.
Lousy Ink – Champions of upcycling, literally turning printer cartridge waste into new artist-grade ink.
FAQs About Eco-Friendly Art Supplies

What makes art supplies eco-friendly?

Eco-friendly art supplies are made from sustainable or recycled materials, are non-toxic, use minimal or recyclable packaging, and are manufactured with lower environmental impact.

Are vegan brushes as good as animal-hair brushes?

Yes! Modern synthetic brushes mimic sable and hog bristles almost perfectly, plus they’re cruelty-free, durable, and often more affordable.

Do eco supplies cost more?

Sometimes. But many options like recycled pads or synthetic brushes are comparable in price, and the long-term impact makes them worth it.

Which eco supplies are best for kids?

Look for non-toxic, water-based ranges like Posca paint pens, TAG Body Art face paints, and Mont Marte recycled pads.

How can I dispose of art waste responsibly?

Rinse brushes in a jar (not down the sink), reuse scrap paper for testing colours, recycle packaging, and choose non-toxic products where possible.

Wrapping It Up

At Art Shed, we’re big believers that small steps add up, whether it’s reusing supplier boxes for your orders, shredding old cartons for filler, or stocking brands that are moving towards greener practices.

We’re not perfect, but we’re trying to be part of the solution while still keeping art fun, affordable, and accessible.

So next time you’re filling your cart, think about chucking in one of our eco, recycled, or vegan-friendly products.

It’s art that doesn’t cost the Earth literally.