The characteristics of teapots made of plastic and clay: what are their designs, functions, and impacts on the environment?

Abstract

Currently, people are starting to reduce the use of traditional products and switch to ready-to-use products made from plastic, such as teapots. Nevertheless, clay crafts still maintain their existence in the widespread use of plastic products. Bayat is one of the subdistricts in Klaten Regency, Central Java, which is famous for its ceramics and pottery craft centres. Most artisans in the Bayat make crafts with clay as raw materials. This research focused on the advantages of Bayat pottery over other plastic products. This study aimed to increase public awareness to reduce plastic products’ use in daily life. This study used the descriptive qualitative method. The research was conducted in Bayat, Klaten, from March – June 2022. The results showed that clay crafts were considered more eco-friendly than plastic products. The development of Bayat pottery from clay has implications for design, function, usability, and environmental aspects. In the design aspect, the Bayat teapot can increase the aesthetic value of the craft. In terms of function and usability, the clay teapot functions as a water storage container as well as interior decoration. Meanwhile, in the environmental aspect, raw clay materials are easier to decompose, while plastic products are difficult to decompose.