THE PUNCH BRANDS
Closing the loop at Kevala: Designing, producing & distributing a ceramic line entirely made from waste.
Kevala has been making ceramics on the island of Bali for 25 years. Founder Wendy Thomas started with a small production facility. But Wendy has a vision to build a business centered around the unrivalled talent of local artisans. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly with the Kevala team to develop their knowledge and skill. And thanks to the support and loyalty of their discerning clientele, the brand is now the island’s leading ceramic producer.
Kevala champions over a hundred artisans who specialise in hand carving moulds, wheel throwing and surface decoration. Each unique item of tableware is worked on by at least 12 pairs of hands before it makes its way to clients who design their bespoke pieces and collections with the team.
COMMITMENT 1
Sustainability Management
By documenting and implementing a clear sustainability plan, Kevala and its team are demonstrating their commitment to the environment and their communities.
COMMITMENT 2
Sustainable & Local Sourcing
By giving priority to sustainable, local, Fairtrade, organic and/ or recycled produce, Kevala is emitting less carbon emissions while celebrating the local economy.
COMMITMENT 3
Equal & Local Employment
By giving equal opportunities to local residents including management positions, Kevala is promoting diversity and elevating employees engagement.
COMMITMENT 4
No Single Use Plastic
By not using single use plastics, Kevala is minimizing by millions the amount of plastic ending up in the streets, in the rivers and in the ocean.
COMMITMENT 5
Waste Management
By having a clear waste management plan in place with actions to reduce, separate and reuse / recycle waste, Kevala is not only minimizing the amount of waste in Bali; the brand is also leading the example to their employees and customers.
COMMITMENT 6
Sustainable Packaging
By using sustainable, natural, recycled and/or biodegradable packaging, Kevala is significantly reducing their environmental impact.
COMMITMENT 7
Biodiversity Conservation
By actively supporting, protecting, and promoting biodiversity, Kevala is contributing to ecosystem productivity and improving the life support system for our planet.
"Conscious of the issues surrounding the sustainability of our planet, Kevala is taking major steps to adapt production to ensure it is both socially and ecologically responsible."
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT
Sara Howard, a ceramicist and sustainable materials designer for the ceramics industry, is working with Kevala to achieve a fully sustainable production and distribution. Sara specialises in building symbiotic relationships with other industries and designing circular loops for the ceramics industry.
SUSTAINABLE & LOCAL SOURCING
“The research and development in this area is showcased in the Circular Ceramics tableware collection made from 75-100% waste, sourced from local industries, pollution from rivers and ceramic production. With the ceramics industry being dependant on depleting natural resources, Sara sought out alternatives that are not only sourced locally, but also divert waste away from landfill. The clay body is made entirely out of waste reclaimed from Kevala’s wastewater treatment system. The glaze is made from consumer waste glass retrieved from Bali’s rivers, slurry from marble and granite factories and glaze residues reclaimed from ceramic production. The natural clay finishing is made from 75% less natural resources and the coloured pieces are made from 100% waste. With each reclamation, a new limited-edition glaze is born, resulting in an ever-evolving collection.”
Meet Wendy Thomas,
Founder of Kevala Ceramics
WHAT IS YOUR STORY?
“My name is Wendy and I am from the North of the UK. I first came to Indonesia around 30 years ago in 1994. I worked in the electronic industry for many years in the south of England before accepting a new job in Australia. On my way to Australia, I stopped in Bali for three months and the three months have now turned into 30 years.
In those days, as I used to do a lot of triathlons and running, I met a group of link-minded people who led me to get involved in a business here in Bali. This business was also doing ceramics, and this was the start of my ceramic knowledge 30 years ago.”
HOW WAS KEVALA BORN?
“In my previous company, we were producing a local drink that was housed into a ceramic bottle and with the hospitality industry growing, my partner and I decided to move forward in the ceramic and table wear world.
After a few years working together on that project, we had different ideas in how to move forward. I was much more passionate about the ceramics and especially custom-made ceramics for hotels and restaurants which was not part of his vision. So in 2007, we decided to go in separate ways and that’s when Kevala was born.”
"At Kevala, we acknowledge the need to reduce our impact in order to meet Indonesia’s global climate goals. Everybody doing its part is what is going to make the change."
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO GROW A SUSTAINABLE BRAND?
“I believe that concentrating on sustainability makes the environment a better place and allows people to have a better life. Through my business, I want to be part of the solution, not the problem.
Producing ceramics relies on depleting natural resources as the clay is from the ground and that clay is not going to be available forever. In my 30 years in the field, I have seen many of our suppliers not being able to provide the materials anymore and for me, it is important to take responsibility for the issue we are creating in the industry.
At Kevala, we acknowledge the need to reduce our impact in order to meet Indonesia’s global climate goals. Everybody doing its part is what is going to make the change.”
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT SARA HOWARD?
“I met Sara Howard a couple of years ago. I have built a relationship with a University in England called Central St Marteens – an art school offering a degree in ceramics and Sara was a graduate from that school. Sara had already written her own book about the sustainability aspects of of producing ceramics and she approached me as a fresh graduate.
Her passion and knowledge about sustainable ceramic is phenomenal. She was looking for an opportunity to continue her work and make a true difference in a bigger ceramic factory. I offered her to come over for a year without much plan; I just knew that it was going to be a long-term journey that we would work on together.”
"From reusing glass waste, stone slurry, oyster shells waste to our own production’s spray booth residue and water treatment waste, we are proud to introduce our new 100% circular collection - Made from Waste."
IS KEVALA A ‘NO SINGLE USE PLASTIC’ FACTORY?
“Yes, we have completely eliminated single use plastic in our production. What we need to eliminate now is the single use plastic coming from our staff. We are looking to provide reusable options for their lunches and refreshments. Internally, we already have that in place and we are educating them about what they bring from home.”
HOW ARE YOU CLOSING THE LOOP AT KEVALA?
“At Kevala, we are working on designing, producing, and distributing a ceramic line entirely made from waste.
From reusing clear, green, and brown glass waste from Bali’s waterways, stone slurry from natural stone distributors, oyster shells waste from restaurants to our own production’s spray booth residue and water treatment waste, we are proud to introduce our new 100% circular collection “Made from Waste” designed by Sara.
The clay that is used for this production is from our own waste streams mixed with stone slurry waste and the glaze is made from glass waste. This collection is about to be launched, we actually just took our first order and I’m very excited.
Another thing that Sara has achieved over the past year is sustainable packaging. I have been working on sustainable packaging for quite some time and I am happy that we are now using 100% sustainable packaging made from recycled materials.”
CLOSING THE LOOP AT KEVALA
Step 1 - Collecting solid waste from the production
CLOSING THE LOOP AT KEVALA
Step 2 - Collecting liquid waste from the production
CLOSING THE LOOP AT KEVALA
Step 3 - Mixing the waste with a floculent agent to make the sediment
CLOSING THE LOOP AT KEVALA
Step 4 - Pumping & Separating the slury (clay with water)
CLOSING THE LOOP AT KEVALA
Step 5 - Filtering the slury to remove small rocks and have a liquid clay
CLOSING THE LOOP AT KEVALA
Step 6 - Drying the recycled clay in specific sacks for 2-3 days
CLOSING THE LOOP AT KEVALA
Step 7 - Drying the thicker recycled clay in the sun
CLOSING THE LOOP AT KEVALA
Step 8 - The new recycled clay is ready & conserved to keep it moisturized
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR CORAL INITIATIVE?
“In April 2022, I was invited to the Maldives to work with a sustainable resort and take look at how we could improve their coral propagation. Sara has done researches on this topic in the past.
Originally, for their coral propagation, they were using metal tripods with plastic clips. They would put these on the ocean bed and the coral would attached to it and grow. Sara created a guests experience where the guests were invited to make clay sculptures, display coral fragrances in these clay sculptures and place them on the sea bed.
Within three weeks, the results were amazing. The coral started growing without the need of metal and plastic. This project is still ongoing and we will have an update within 2 months.”
