Washed-Up Cards: Turning the Tide on Plastic

“The cards aren’t going to dent the million of tons of plastic entering our rivers and oceans every year but if it helps spread a little love and gets a few people to be a bit more conscious about their plastic consumption then it is making progress” – Washed-Up Cards

Flora Blathwayt is an Edinburgh University geography graduate. After obtaining her degree in 2011, she studied Broadcast Journalism at London’s University of the Arts. From 2012 to 2018, she had various jobs in journalism and set up several Arts-based businesses before becoming a sales manager, first for Rubies in the Rubble¹ and then, from 2021–2023, for the Earthshot Prize-winning Notpla, based in London. In September 2019, she went on a beach cleaning event and “realised the importance of communities coming together to bring positive change”. This inspired her to establish “Washed-Up”  a venture that promotes wellness through group beach cleans and workshops. As she says “Not only is it great for the environment, it’s brilliant for mental health, it helps you connect with nature and ultimately it brings joy!”

After spending weeks mudlarking² in July 2020 she launched “Washed-Up Cards” making hand-made greetings cards using plastic washed up on beaches around the UK. She started by making a wedding card for her sister and then cards for friends and family before branching out. When she moved to Peckham in South East London she sent cards to her neighbours offering to help if they were shielding from Covid-19. The response was unexpected she says. People thought the cards were amazing and advised that she should start selling them, which she did. Demand grew quickly and whereas she originally drew her cards by hand she now prints them on recycled card and adds the plastic later. She began selling them through Etys³ and as demand has grown she has  started to employ people. On the back of each card is the “story” of the plastic used – where and when it was found, what it is a part of, etc.

Having some 8000 followers on Instagram she is able not just to promote her cards but the idea of community involvement in beach cleaning. She also runs workshops to promote creativity and sustainability and give the participants a focus. As a consequence, “Washed-up Cards” has “evolved into something I never anticipated” she says. People want to go on walks with her and do beach cleaning, while she talks to them about how good it is to have a purpose and how it has helped her. Flora believes that by “spreading awareness of plastic pollution in this feel good and engaging way, it will hopefully show people that little actions do make a difference”.

Flora is very much a Harmonious Entrepreneur. She has created a profit-making business that cares for both people and the planet. While she has had no formal training in Art she demonstrates how it is possible to turn waste into a profit-making business that benefits people and the planet through the power of creative thinking. As a consequence the business addresses SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 Sustainable  Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 14 (Life Below Water).

Notes

1. Rubies in the Rubble is a condiment producer that uses fruit and vegetables that would otherwise have gone to waste.

2. Mudlarking is scouring  the River Thames for “treasure”.

3. Etsy  is an online  community of 5.9 million sellers and makers who have unique and original products for sale.

References

Packham, A., (2020). These Ridiculously Cute Cards are Made with Washed-Up Beach Plastic. HUFFPOST 3^rd December.

Sieg, J., (2023). Meet the woman turning plastic in the Thames into a thriving small business. CITY A.M. 24^th October.

https://washedupcards.uk/

© Harmonious-Entrepreneurship.org / Harmonious Entrepreneurship Ltd. (2020-2023).