Sustainability as an attitude

Tell us something about your brand

Natural resources

We use only mineral raw materials. Our clays are free of chemical additives, lead-free, microplastic-free, and vegan. Unlike many conventional clay products, our clay does not contain bone ash.

Recyclable packaging

Our products are packaged exclusively in cardboard. Without any plastic, foam, or synthetic filling materials. What arrives at your door is consciously reduced and fully recyclable.

100% green electricity

Since 2019, the electricity for our production has come entirely from renewable energy, supplied by the French green energy provider Enercoop. Hot water and operating equipment are supplied by the monastery's own solar panels.

European production

All materials and tools come from Europe. The entire production process, from raw materials to the finished ceramics, takes place in Taizé. We produce locally, not globally.

Electric kilns

Our kilns currently operate on gas. However, we are already planning to switch to modern electric kilns to make this last major energy use more sustainable.

Less footprint, more meaning

In Taizé, ceramics are created that are not only beautiful and durable, but also conscious. For us, sustainability means more than just a label. It begins with everyday decisions, with consistent simplicity, and with respect for nature, people, and materials. Our pottery is part of a monastic community whose daily life is characterized by mindfulness. We also bring this mindfulness to our natural world.

Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

  • Our long-term sustainability goals

    Climate neutral by 2030: We are working to make our entire production climate neutral through emission-free energy, regional resources, and the switch to electric furnaces.

    Living fairness & diversity: Our community promotes social justice, fair pay and diversity.

    Material innovation: We are further developing our vegan product range and optimizing our processes to reduce waste and emissions.

  • Sustainable consumption and production

    Our ceramics are made from pure, natural materials, free of lead, cadmium, microplastics, and animal components. The regional clay, mineral glazes, and plastic-free packaging represent a clear "less is more" philosophy. Creating long-lasting objects and deliberately avoiding waste are a matter of course for us.

  • Less inequality

    A portion of our income and resources goes into social
    Projects of the Taizé Community, such as supporting orphans in Ukraine, distributing food to the needy, and educational projects in Africa and Korea.

    Solidarische Projekte 

  • Clean water and sanitation

    In Taizé, rainwater is collected and used. The community's wastewater is treated by an ecological wastewater treatment plant based on plants and microorganisms. This creates a closed cycle that conserves resources and protects the environment.

  • Affordable and clean energy

    Since 2019, the electricity for our production has come entirely from renewable energy, supplied by the French green energy provider Enercoop. Hot water and operating equipment are also supplied by our own solar panels.

  • Climate protection measures

    We rely on solar power, efficient lighting, and sustainable production resources. We're already planning to convert our gas furnaces to electric furnaces. Our goal: less CO₂, more responsibility.

  • Decent work and economic growth

    The pottery creates regional jobs, preserves
    traditional knowledge and strengthens the local economy. Through continuing education and respectful working conditions, we help connect craftsmanship with the future.

  • High-quality education

    We see our platform as a place for education: about sustainable consumption, vegan materials, and conscious living. We share our knowledge through stories, product texts, and conversations – in an understandable, honest, and inspiring way.

  • Partnerships to achieve the goals

    La Poterie de Taizé maintains close partnerships with local artisans, sustainable suppliers, and social initiatives. This value-based exchange creates a network that promotes ethical action and shared responsibility.
Mehr über die 17 SDG's

With multiple columns

  • sustainability

    Environmentally conscious from raw materials to packaging.

  • Handcraft

    Each piece is unique and is handcrafted with love and spiritual devotion.

  • European manufacturing

    Fair

    Local

    Transparent

  • Natural materials

    No microplastics, no chemicals, just the essentials.

  • Traditional heritage

    A millennia-old craft lives on.

  • longevity

    Made for generations, not for the next season.

1 6

Learn more

The production process

In our workshop, every step is carefully executed by hand – from mixing the clay to the final glaze firing. The clay is produced, shaped, and dried in the monastery itself before being fired at over 1000°C. Each glaze is also mixed and applied on-site, and fired a second time at up to 1200°C. This creates stoneware ceramics that retain their beauty for a long time and possess a tangible depth.

Learn more about the production

Our glazes

Our glazes are made from natural minerals and are developed and produced directly at the monastery. They reflect the surroundings and tranquility of Taizé.

There are ten different glazes, each with its own color scheme, surface, and mood: Blue, Blue Mat, Silver Grey, Bresse Wood, Gousseau, Yellow, Noisette, Omnia, Red Kaki, and Temokku. No two pieces are exactly alike—and that's precisely what makes them so vibrant.

Learn more about our mineral glazes

sustainability

We work exclusively with natural raw materials. Our ceramics are durable, timeless, and crafted to last for years. We also strive for environmentally friendly solutions in packaging and shipping. We believe that sustainability begins with the material and ends with conscious use.

Learn more about our sustainability & values

History behind La Poterie de Taizé

La Poterie de Taizé is rooted in a special history: For decades, in the Taizé community, pottery was part of a simple, mindful life and a silent symbol of connection with nature. When the pandemic brought local life to a standstill, a new idea emerged: to bring Taizé ceramics to the world via Salzburg. Thus, in 2021, our brand was born, combining traditional craftsmanship with new approaches. Today, with every piece, we carry forward the values that have shaped us: sustainability, meaning, and authentic craftsmanship.

More about our history

Our team

Behind every La Poterie de Taizé product are people with a shared conviction: that valuable things require time, dedication, and attention. Whether in the workshop in Taizé, the warehouse in Salzburg, or our store in Vienna: we work on a small scale for something big. And we do this as a small but cohesive team.
Get to know the team

Taizé Community

The Taizé Community is an international ecumenical brotherhood in southern Burgundy, founded in 1940 by Brother Roger as a place of peace, silence, and reconciliation. Today, brothers of different denominations live there together, united by prayer, simplicity, and service to others. Their spirituality is expressed not in words, but in lived trust—including in the quiet, artisanal work with clay.
Learn more about the community