Eco-friendly NFTs: Tips for Digital Creators

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 4 min read

If you're a digital creator who's been hearing a lot about NFTs and their environmental impact, you've come to the right place. This blog is your guide to understanding what NFTs are, how they work, and most importantly, how you can create and use them in an eco-friendly way. Stick around to learn more about making green choices, using eco-friendly NFT marketplaces, creating with sustainability in mind, and engaging with the eco-friendly community.

Get to Know NFTs

Before diving into the green side of NFTs, it's essential to have a solid understanding of what they are and how they work. Plus, it's important to be aware of their environmental impact. Let's break it down.

What are NFTs?

NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, are unique digital assets that use blockchain technology to prove their authenticity and ownership. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, each NFT is one-of-a-kind, meaning you can't exchange it on a like-for-like basis. This uniqueness makes NFTs perfect for digitizing art and other collectibles.

How do NFTs work?

When an NFT is created, or 'minted', it's added to the blockchain—a digital ledger that records all transactions. This process gives the NFT a unique code that proves its authenticity and ownership. When you buy an NFT, you're buying this code, not the digital artwork itself. You're essentially getting a digital certificate of ownership.

Impact of NFTs on the Environment

The elephant in the room is the environmental impact of NFTs. Most NFTs are minted on the Ethereum network, which uses a process called 'proof of work' to verify transactions. This process involves complex computations, which require a lot of energy—energy that often comes from non-renewable sources. The carbon footprint of NFTs is a growing concern, but the good news is, there are ways to create and use NFTs that are more eco-friendly. And that's what we're here to explore.

Make Eco-friendly Choices

Choosing to be eco-friendly doesn't mean giving up on NFTs. It means making smarter choices in how you create and sell your digital art. Here's how you can do just that.

Choose Green Platforms

Not all NFT platforms are created equal when it comes to their environmental impact. Some platforms are working towards becoming more eco-friendly by using energy-efficient blockchain protocols or offsetting their carbon emissions. Research platforms and choose one that aligns with your green values. Every green choice you make contributes to reducing the environmental impact of NFTs.

Optimize Your Artwork

Did you know that the size of your digital artwork can affect the energy used to mint your NFT? Large file sizes require more computational power, which in turn uses more energy. By optimizing your artwork and reducing the file size, you can create NFTs that have a smaller carbon footprint. Plus, smaller files are faster to load and easier to share, providing a better user experience for potential buyers.

Use Eco-friendly NFT Marketplaces

When it comes to selling your NFTs, the marketplace you choose can have a significant influence on your eco-footprint. Let's take a look at a few marketplaces that are making efforts to reduce the environmental impact of NFTs.

Mintable

Mintable is a platform that stands out for its eco-friendly approach. It uses a gas-less minting process — this means that the energy-intensive process of creating a new NFT is reduced. It's an excellent choice for artists concerned about NFTs and environmental impact.

Open Sea

Open Sea is another platform that's taking steps to address the environmental concerns around NFTs. It uses a type of blockchain technology called Proof of Stake (PoS), which is significantly more energy-efficient than the commonly used Proof of Work (PoW) systems. Choosing a PoS platform like Open Sea can help reduce your carbon footprint.

Rarible

Finally, let's talk about Rarible. This platform has committed to becoming carbon neutral and is actively exploring ways to offset its carbon emissions. By choosing a marketplace that's dedicated to reducing its environmental impact, you're not just selling your art; you're also contributing to a greener future.

Create with Sustainability in Mind

As a digital creator, you have an amazing opportunity to create art that's not only beautiful, but also eco-friendly. Here's how you can incorporate sustainability into your creative process.

Use Green Materials

When creating physical pieces to be digitized as NFTs, opt for materials that are sustainably sourced. This could be using recycled paper for sketches, eco-friendly paints, or digital tools that run on renewable energy. Every small step matters when you're thinking about NFTs and environmental impact.

Create Conscious Art

Next, think about the message your art is conveying. Are there ways you can raise awareness about environmental issues through your work? Eco-conscious art can spark conversations and inspire change. Plus, it could make your NFTs even more appealing to buyers who share your concern for the planet.

Engage with the Eco-friendly Community

Being part of a community that shares your values can be a powerful motivator. It can provide you with support, inspiration, and opportunities to collaborate. So, let's explore how you can connect with others who are passionate about reducing the environmental impact of NFTs.

Join Online Forums

Online forums are a great place to start. You can find plenty of discussions about NFTs and environmental impact on platforms like Reddit or Twitter. Engaging in these forums can provide you with new insights, helpful tips, and a sense of camaraderie. Remember, it's all about learning and growing together.

Attend Green Art Events

Green art events are another fantastic way to immerse yourself in the eco-friendly art community. These can range from exhibitions featuring sustainable art, to workshops on creating eco-friendly NFTs. Plus, you never know who you might meet — it could be your next collaborator or buyer!

Support Other Eco-artists

Finally, remember to support other artists who are also working to reduce the environmental impact of their work. You can do this by promoting their work, collaborating on projects, or simply offering words of encouragement. After all, we're all in this together!

If you're intrigued by the concept of eco-friendly NFTs and want to learn more about the world of NFTs in general, don't miss the workshop 'Intro to NFTs' by Andrea Orejarena. This informative workshop will guide you through the basics of NFTs and help you understand how to create, buy, and sell them in a more sustainable way.