Environmental and Social Audit

A look at some of the materials we use and how they impact our physical and social environment.

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Agroforestry for biodiversity

Complex Agroforests, Some examples from Indonesia

Asphalt - or Bitumen

Gaviotis - A Columbian community sustained by turpentine harvesting.

After mirrors are silvered the silver must be protected from oxidation. This is done my coating the silver with a protective paint. The qualities needed are impermeability and resistance to scratches.

We make our own mirror backing paint ourselves from asphaltum and damar varnish, thinned with turpentine. The formula we use dates from the nineteenth century and we believe it is the best material for the job.

Damar Resin is a natural tree resin derived from the viscous sap of the Southeast Asian damar pine. The tree sap is collected and by distillation separated into the volatile turpentine and the solid damar resin. It is used to make various traditional painting preparations, such as varnish and medium.

Damar resin is harvested sustainably in complex agroforests on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Damar agroforests were conceived by and are managed by local communities. The system as such evolved from traditional management practices.

The main species is damar (Shorea javanica) mixed with many fruit trees. This ensures a relatively high biodiversity and a diversified and steady income for the farmer the year round.

Asphaltum or Gilsonite has been used for over 10000 years as a protective coating and sealer. It was used to preserve mummies in ancient Egypt and was believed to have medicinal properties in Medieval times.

It is a natural, resinous, hydrocarbon found in the Unitah Basin in eastern Utah and other places. This natural bitumen is similar to a hard petroleum bitumen and is often called a natural asphalt, asphaltite or asphaltum.

Turpentine is a natural solvent which is obtained by distilling the resins of various pine trees. Turpentine harvesting can be done in a sustainable way and is the foundation of the Gaviotis community in Columbia.

For further information and wholesale prices email: sales@4blackbird.com