Giving New Life to Old Art
Sustainability is at the heart of what we do
At Sulis Fine Art, sustainability isn't an afterthought - it's built into the very nature of our business. Every piece we sell is second-hand, antique or vintage. Nothing we offer is newly manufactured. By rescuing forgotten works from house clearances, estate sales and auctions across the British Isles and Europe, we give old art a new home instead of allowing it to end up in landfill.
Each artwork we restore and rehome is one fewer item going to waste. From fine Georgian portraits and antique frames to bold mid-century oils, every piece in our 10,000-strong catalogue has already lived a life - and we believe it deserves another.
This circular model means our environmental footprint is inherently lower than businesses selling newly produced goods. There are no factories, no raw materials, no manufacturing emissions. Just careful curation, expert restoration, and a commitment to connecting people with art they'll treasure.
Our Impact in Numbers
Since 2012, we've shipped over 100,000 pieces worldwide - every single one a pre-existing work given a second life. That's 100,000 artworks diverted from potential waste, and 100,000 customers who chose sustainable art without compromising on quality or character.
Our Packaging Commitment
We know that sustainable art deserves sustainable packaging. We've worked hard to ensure that the vast majority of our packing materials are fully recyclable through standard kerbside collection. Where that isn't yet possible, we're transparent about what can be recycled and how.
Our approach to packaging follows three principles:
- Recyclable first: We prioritise paper-based and cardboard materials that go straight into your household recycling.
- Protect what matters: Artwork is fragile, so we balance sustainability with making sure your piece arrives safely.
- Continuous improvement: We regularly review our materials and suppliers to find greener alternatives.
Packing Materials & Recyclability
Below is a breakdown of the main materials we use to pack and ship your artwork, along with how to recycle each one.
| Material | Category | Material Type | Recyclable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telescopic cardboard cartons | Boxes | Cardboard | Yes – Kerbside |
| Brown paper tape | Tape | Paper | Yes – Kerbside |
| Corrugated card corner protectors | Protection | Cardboard | Yes – Kerbside |
| Tissue paper wrapping | Wrapping | Paper | Yes – Kerbside |
| Sulis Certificate of Authenticity | Documentation | Paper | Yes – Kerbside |
| Documents enclosed envelopes | Labels/Stickers | Paper | Yes – Kerbside |
| Sulis branded stickers | Labels/Stickers | Paper | Yes – Kerbside |
| Masking tape | Tape | Paper | Yes – Kerbside |
| Inflatable air corner protectors | Protection | Plastic (LDPE) | Partial – Supermarket plastic recycling point |
| Cellophane sleeves (A1/A4/A5) | Wrapping | Plastic | Check locally |
| Cellophane roll | Wrapping | Plastic | Check locally |
Our inflatable air corner protectors are made from LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) - the same material as carrier bags. While they can't go in kerbside recycling, they can be recycled at supermarket carrier bag collection points found at most major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons. Simply deflate and drop off with your carrier bags.
Looking Ahead
We're committed to reducing our plastic usage further. Our ongoing goals include:
- Replacing cellophane sleeves with fully recyclable paper-based alternatives
- Trialling plastic-free inflatable protectors
- Working with suppliers to eliminate non-recyclable tapes from our supply chain
- Partnering with recycling initiatives to help customers dispose of packaging responsibly
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. We're proud of where we are, honest about where we need to improve, and committed to making progress every year. If you have suggestions or questions about our approach, we'd love to hear from you - get in touch.