Sustainable Supplier Guide for Angus Baskerville Magic
1. Defined Sustainability Criteria
We have established the clear priorities for what sustainability means for our magic practice. Consider:
Environmental Impact: We prioritize suppliers who use renewable resources, minimize waste, and reduce carbon emissions.
Ethical Sourcing: We choose suppliers with fair labour practices and transparent supply chains.
Durability and Reusability: We try and opt for high-quality, long-lasting props to reduce replacements.
Local Sourcing: Where we can, we support local or regional suppliers to cut transportation emissions.
We value organic materials for silks or recycled metals for coin tricks, and ensure suppliers align with these values.
2. Research and Vet Suppliers
We try and identify suppliers who prioritize sustainability and assess their practices.
Key steps:
Check Certifications: We look for certifications like Fair Trade, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for fabrics, or ISO 14001 for environmental management.
Review Policies: Where we can, we try and ask for evidence of sustainability commitments, such as carbon reduction targets or ethical labour policies.
Examine Materials: We try and ensure suppliers use eco-friendly materials, like biodegradable packaging or recycled plastics.
Magician-Specific Suppliers:
We try and source magic tricks from suppliers such as the below:
Tannen’s Magic (www.tannens.com): A long-standing magic shop; inquire about their prop materials and packaging practices.
Vanishing Inc. Magic (www.vanishingincmagic.com): Stocks props like silks and cards; ask about sustainable sourcing or deadstock options.
General Craft Suppliers: For custom props, explore eco-friendly fabric wholesalers like Bo Weevil or Ecological Textiles for organic cotton or linen.
3. Source Eco-Friendly Props and Materials
We try and select props and materials that minimize environmental impact:
Playing Cards: We choose cards made from FSC-certified paper or recycled materials. We avoid plastic-coated decks unless they’re recyclable.
Silks and Fabrics: We try and use organic cotton, hemp, or linen for silks, sourced from suppliers like Wild Linens, which supports ethical causes.
Metal Props (Coins, Rings): We opt for recycled metals from suppliers like The Curious Gem, which offers ethically sourced jewelry materials.
Packaging: We request minimal or biodegradable packaging from suppliers to reduce waste.
Deadstock and Upcycled Materials: We source remnant fabrics or repurposed items from thrift stores or fabric shops to create unique props.
Example: Instead of new plastic sponge balls, use biodegradable foam or create Hannah from The Curious Gem for example, would supply eco-friendly jewelry-making materials.
4. Assess Suppliers’ Environmental and Social Impact
We evaluate suppliers based on their sustainability practices:
Carbon Footprint: We try and ask if suppliers measure their carbon emissions and have reduction targets aligned with goals like the Paris Agreement.
Labor Practices: We ensure suppliers adhere to fair labour standards, such as SA 8000 certification for ethical manufacturing.
Community Engagement: We favour suppliers who support local communities or donate to environmental causes, like Wild Linens, which donates to human trafficking survivors.
Action: We use tools like Givvable (www.givvable.com) to check suppliers’ sustainability credentials or consult trade associations for accredited eco-friendly suppliers.
5. Collaborate and Communicate
We attempt to build sustainable partnerships with suppliers:
Set Clear Expectations: We ask them to share their sustainability goals and ask suppliers to provide eco-friendly options or data on their practices.
Offer Support: We see if they will provide resources or training to help us and other small suppliers adopt greener practices, fostering mutual growth.
Monitor Progress: We seek to regularly assess suppliers’ performance through audits or questionnaires to ensure they meet our standards.
Example: We could for example, work with a local craftsman to create custom wooden wands from sustainably sourced timber, ensuring transparency in their sourcing process.
6. Practical Tips for Magicians
Minimize Waste: We aim to design acts that reuse props or incorporate zero-waste principles, like using fabric scraps for costume accents.
Digital Alternatives: We are looking into offering digital magic tutorials or virtual shows to reduce travel emissions.
Sustainable Merchandise: If selling merchandise, we use eco-friendly suppliers like those listed in eco-alternative merch guides for custom prints or accessories.
Showcase Sustainability: We seek to highlight yur green practices in performances or marketing to inspire audiences and build our brand as an eco-conscious magician.
7. Recommended Resources
We would seek partnerships with firms such as the following:
Sustainable Magic (www.sustainablemagic.org): Offers insights into eco-friendly event decor and interactive art, applicable to stage setups.
Sourcing at MAGIC (www.sourcingatmagic.com): A trade show with a sustainability focus, useful for finding ethical apparel and accessory suppliers.
EcoEnclose Guide (www.ecoenclose.com): A resource for eco-friendly suppliers, adaptable for prop and packaging needs.
Climate Action for Associations (CAFA): Provides tools for small businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.
Why It Matters
Sourcing sustainably reduces our environmental footprint, particularly Scope 3 emissions, which can account for 80-90% of a business’s total emissions. It also enhances our reputation, attracts eco-conscious audiences and mitigates risks like regulatory penalties or supply chain disruptions. For magicians such as ourselves, sustainable practices align with the art of transformation—turning ordinary acts into extraordinary, planet-friendly performances.
The Next Step
By choosing sustainable suppliers, we not only enhance our magic experience but we also contribute to a healthier planet, making our performances truly magical for future generations.