Reduce Plastic Waste and Paint a Mug at Crafty Monkey!
- Crafty Monkey
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock or blissfully off-grid, you’ll know that plastic waste is one of the big environment issues in the UK today. Globally and locally, we’re seeing the consequences of throw-away culture. From packaging to coffee cups, single-use plastics are everywhere — piling up in landfill or leaking into our seas and they’re causing serious harm.
For instance, globally only around 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled.
sas.org.uk Household plastic packaging in the UK is huge — one survey estimated UK homes discard about 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging each year. House of Commons Library+1
How does pottery painting help reduce plastic waste?
At Crafty Monkey, we believe small changes can make a big impact. That’s why we offer a simple way to reduce your reliance on disposable plastic: paint your own reusable pottery mug or cup. Imagine sipping from a mug you’ve designed yourself — one that’s long-lasting, and full of personality. We call it your “forever mug”, and it’s not just a keepsake — it’s a statement.
Why Paint a Mug?
Sure, you could just go buy a reusable mug online. But painting a mug is different. Not only is it a fun, therapeutic experience but it helps you ditch the plastic and embrace sustainability in style.
Creative and personal
At Crafty Monkey you’re not just using something reusable; you’re making it yourself. You’ve invested time and creativity. The sense of ownership tends to make you use it more often and treat it better and you’re more likely to use it. It becomes part of your identity — “my mug” rather than “someone else’s product”.
Supports independent local business
You’ve supported a local studio (yeah, that’s us!) rather than buying mass-produced goods.
Less plastic waste
Every time you use a reusable ceramic mug, you avoid another single-use item entering the waste stream. Given the UK’s struggle with plastic recycling and packaging waste, it’s a meaningful step. Waste Direct+1
Durability
Unlike plastics, a ceramic mug can last for years, meaning fewer throw-away items. It becomes a visible reminder to reduce waste: when someone asks about your mug, you can talk about plastic waste and why you chose differently.
Community impact
When local people choose reusable and participate in creative reuse, it builds awareness and encourages others to follow suit.
How do I Paint a Mug?
Book a session at our pottery painting studio in St Neots, or your local ceramic cafe
Choose from a range of pottery shapes (mugs, cups, bowls)
Paint your design — no artistic skill needed, and full instructions will be given!
We glaze and fire it, and you collect it at a later date
Boom, you have your very own custom hand-painted mug.
Each time you choose your mug over a plastic cup, you’re making a small but real difference.
Call to action
Whether you’re looking for a personal eco-upgrade or a group activity with purpose, our pottery painting sessions are a great way to combine creativity with environmental action. Painting pottery is fun, creative and eco-friendly. Together we can help reduce the load of single-use plastic in our homes and our community.
If you’re ready to make the switch, book a pottery painting session at Crafty Monkey and take a small but meaningful step toward reducing plastic waste — one mug at a time.
Hi, thanks for posting this.