Materials that matter - Canvas

Sustainable Canvas

What is RPET?

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a plastic used in packaging like bottles and food containers. It takes 450 years to break down — bacteria can't consume or break down PET's chemicals, which prevents it from biodegrading.

RPET is recycled PET — flakes or pellets transformed from existing plastic. The flakes can be used to make clothing and, now, Sustainable Canvas for artists.

Diagram of the Sustainable Canvas process — from recycled PET bottles to artist canvas

Benefits of RPET

Millions of tons of plastic waste are generated globally each year, with the majority ending up in the ocean. Using RPET has a positive impact on eliminating plastic waste — and it uses far less water and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than manufacturing virgin PET.

At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. Plastic debris is the most abundant litter in the ocean, making up 80% of all marine debris found from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Plastic is found on the shorelines of every continent, with more waste near popular tourist destinations and densely populated areas. If this bothers you, you can do something about it in your art practice — starting with Sustainable Canvas.

Plastic waste washed up on a beach — the pollution Sustainable Canvas helps reduce