Certification Regulations for Organic Products
Introduction
In the field of conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, ecological practices, such as the sustainable use and disposal of materials, seek to improve the sustainability of conservation through the selection of materials and methods with lower environmental impact and their responsible disposal. When performing conservation or preventative conservation treatments, conservators use resources such as consumables, energy and water.
These resources have an impact on the environment both through their extraction and their disposal. To reduce this impact, conservators can opt for sustainable alternatives to existing materials and practices, such as reusable or recycled materials, or materials with reduced toxicity. [1].
Reuse of materials
When museums cannot completely reduce material use or replace them with sustainable alternatives, material reuse is an option to extend the life of conservation materials.
Durable materials used in conservation, such as Tyvek or Mylar, can be washed and reused when appropriate. Polyethylene foam (or Ethafoam) can be cut, mixed, and used as a filler material to cushion objects. [23.
Materials can be exchanged with local community organizations, such as schools or art centers, to extend their useful life when they cannot be used adequately in a conservation setting. Professional networks such as the American Conservation Institute and organizations such as KiCulture and Sustainability in Conservation offer advice for reusing materials.
Green chemicals and solvents
Conservators routinely use chemicals for treatments such as cleaning. These chemicals may have adverse impacts on human health or the environment during their production, use or disposal. By applying two of the principles of green chemistry, namely the use of safer chemicals and the search for safer alternatives to chemicals, conservators can reduce the impact of conservation processes. [4].
Research continues on alternative chemicals to replace industrial solvents and biocides. Alternatives such as tea tree oil and zosteric acid have been tested to reduce mold growth on exterior stone buildings and interior storage areas. [5] [6].