UN AVENIR PLUS VERRE

Aware of the environmental issues associated with glass art practices, Espace VERRE is committed to reducing the ecological footprint of its activities by progressively integrating sustainable practices at the core of its operations, from education to creation. Through its Un avenir plus VERRE initiative, we promote the use of recycled and reclaimed glass, the energy optimization of our equipment, waste reduction, and the raising of awareness among our student, artistic, and professional communities around the principles of eco-responsibility. Espace VERRE intends to pursue its efforts in sustainable development as a lever for reflection, innovation, and collective responsibility within the contemporary fine crafts sector.

Since 2022, a committee was created that includes members of the board of directors, employees, teachers and students. They have regularly assembled to assure the progress of Un Avenir Plus Verre.

Latest initiatives

■ The introduction of a new class “Kiln Working with Recycled Glass” open to the general public, which offers participants the opportunity to explore the specific characteristics of thermoformed glass made from reclaimed bottles in order to create decorative objects.

■ Group exhibition Matières Secondes, Créations Premières, presented from September 18 through October 26, 2025, on the theme of recycled, recovered, and/or reused glass.

Our achievements

■ Implementing new practices for better management of recycled glass in the hot glass studio;

■ Sliding doors and a ventilation system were installed to optimize the lifespan of oxygen concentrators;

■ The integration of composting.

■ The planification of changing the oxygen supply system for all torches: this will replace weekly delivered oxygen tanks with oxygen concentrators, allowing the constant generation of oxygen and thus control the supply of oxygen for all the torches.
     Impacts: The reduction of our carbon footprint and the self-sufficiency of the  school.

■ The introduction of a new class “Glassblowing with Recycled Glass”, which allows advanced weekend students as well as students from the glass program, the possibility of blowing glass with recycled glass bottles to create utilitarian objects.

■ The replacing of all lightbulbs and neon lighting fixtures in the building with LED lighting, which consumes less energy, are recyclable, and are free of any harmful gases or substances.

■ The creation of a study grant to encourage the emergence of artistic projects integrating ecological concepts: The Verre & Société Bursary was created in 2023.

■ The organization of a fundraising event in 2023 to help finance the first projects of the year.

■ The installation of hand dryers to replace paper dispensers and the distributed rags in student tool kits.
     Impact: a reduction of the use of paper towels.

■ The application of a new combustion system for the glory holes.
     Impact: savings on the gas consumption.