Where Does It Come From? How our ’stuff’ impacts people and planet

Episode 28 - Talking Sustainable Periods with Christine McRitchie

Around half of the population will have monthly periods at some point in their life.  There's a growing recognition of the waste produced by period products - sanitary towels, tampons etc - which end up in landfill.  In recent years there has been a growing awareness of sustainability in period product choice with options such as moon cups, re-usable sanitary towels and period pants.

In this episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast host Jo Salter chats with Christine McRitchie, founder of period product brand Earthwise Girls.  Christine has always had an interest in sustainability, growing up with parents who were born in the post-war era and found a use for nearly everything.  Christine took that to the next level, making her parents recycle their newspapers and glass bottles at the public recycling banks as a teenager, and going on to use washable nappies on her four children.  Her first business venture was a washable nappy business, and in 2008, she opened Earthwise Girls to cater specifically for sustainable period products.  She also hosts a Facebook group called The Bloody Waste, providing a safe space for conversations around reusable period products and all kinds of related issues. 

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Links:

Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

Earthwise Girls - https://earthwisegirls.co.uk/

The Bloody Waste Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/36730820911/ 

#sustainableperiods #menstrualproducts #greenperiods #sustainablemenstrual #reusablesanitary #mooncup #periodpants #bloodywaste #womensproblems #timeofthemonth #taboo

Episode 27 Green funerals: embedding sustainability at end of life with Claire Lyons and Simon Holden

Living more sustainably is something many of us feel passionate about, but how do we embed our values at those most challenging times?

In this episode we are discussing a sensitive topic, exploring the area of bereavement and how we balance grief with our personal values. 

Where Does It Come From? founder Jo Salter discusses the topic with guests Claire Lyons and Simon Holden.

Claire has been writing and speaking on issues related to health, sustainability and family life for over 15 years. Since the death of her son in 2019, the focus has moved to the funeral sector specifically.  Using other skills acquired over an eclectic working life, she writes for and supports businesses she feels share her passions

Simon is the Founder of the Faunus Group Ltd. He is passionate about the environment and has extensive experience in planning, project management and the application of research and development. Simon is also the CEO of The Woodland Burial Company and Natural Transitions. Both are focused on improving the impact of the funeral sector for people and planet.

We plan to cover this topic in more podcast episodes so please do get in touch if there is a particular aspect of this subject that you would like to know more about.  You can also watch a video of this podcast episode on the Where Does It Come From? Youtube channel.

Please follow this podcast and our Youtube channel.  Any feedback is always welcome!

Links:

Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

The Woodland Burial Company - www.woodlandburialcompany.com

Living Memorial (Back to Nature Soil) - www.livingmemorial.co.uk

The Faunus Group - www.faunusgroup.co.uk

Claire Lyons on grief - www.clairelyons.co.uk

Rosedale Funeral Homes - www.rosedalefuneralhome.co.uk 

 

#sustainablefuneral #circleoflife #ethicalfuneral #greenfuneral #naturalfabric #biodegradable #grief #ecofuneral #backtonature 

Episode 26 - Going Away for Good - Sustainable Tourism with Vicky Smith

Here we are in January!  This month contains so-called 'Blue Monday' and is the time of year when many of us plan and book our holidays for the year.  We all need something to look forward to!

However there are hidden downsides to many of the trips we book, which can cause negative impacts to the communities and the environment in the places we are visiting.

Growing awareness of these problems has led to an increase in 'responsible' or 'sustainable' travel options, offering holidays that have direct benefits on local people and areas.

In this podcast episode our host Jo Salter, founder of social enterprise Where Does It Come From? is talking with Vicky Smith, responsible travel champion and founder of travel company Earth-changers.

Vicky has worked in tourism since the mid-90s, and sustainable tourism since the mid-00s.  She has worked in destinations, marketing and ecommerce, heading up operations abroad and online for major tour operators, online travel agents and media, in mainstream tourism, ski, safari, tours, charity challenges and voluntourism, NGOs and sustainable tourism accreditation organisations. She’s been a ski resort manager, a qualified ranger in Africa, charity challenge leader and is a charity trustee for SEED Madagascar. She's also on a global council for climate resilience in tourism, helps develop the Global and European Ecotourism Networks, and has been an Ambassador for the Year of Green Action for Defra – the UK’s Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs. 

Vicky is the founder of startup Earth-Changers.com, a curated collection of positive impact tourism, winner of Travelmole UK's Best Responsible Travel & Tourism Website 2019, and helps people find and book trips that change the world (personal holidays, groups and corporates). 

Links:

Where Does It Come From? - Kind Clothes that Tell Tales https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

Earth-changers - https://www.earth-changers.com 

Travel with Jules - https://www.travelwithjules.co.uk 

Green Tourism: https://www.green-tourism.com (Accreditation scheme - biggest for UK)

Global Sustainable Tourism Council:  https://www.gstcouncil.org/ (GSTC acts as the international accreditation body for sustainable tourism certification, managing global standards for sustainable travel and tourism)

If you enjoy this episode please consider following and rating us!  A video of this conversation can also be found on the Where Does It Come From? Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@wheredoesitcomefrom 

 

Episode 25 Talking Ethical Fashion the Birdsong way with Susanna Wen

Fast fashion is one of the most polluting industries on the planet, with high use of plastic, hazardous chemicals and waste as well as slave wages and hazardous working conditions for farmers and workers.

In this episode Where Does It Come From? founder and podcast host Jo Salter chats with fellow ethical fashion entrepreneur Susanna Wen of Birdsong.

Birdsong is a certified B-Corp and winner of Marie’s Claire’s Best Ethical Brand of 2021.  Based in London the brand works with a small local workforce to create high quality fashion using sustainable and ethical practices and materials.

Susanna Wen studied Fashion Design, focusing her dissertation research on waste in the fashion industry, and its ecological and human costs. She graduated from Kingston University in 2014 with an award winning "Most Ethical and Sustainable Collection", made with completely natural dyes and biodegradable fibres.
 
A WISE100 Environmental Champion Finalist for 2022, Susanna has always focused on sustainable and ethical design, in her previous roles working for People Tree and 69b Boutique. Upon being offered a freelance role at Birdsong in 2016, Susanna worked her way up, eventually becoming Creative Director and Co-Founder.
 
As a second generation, biracial British-Chinese woman, Susanna has always wanted to challenge colonial attitudes to fashion production. She hopes to do so with Birdsong’s mission to create fashion goods locally,
 
“Production for a lot of fashion brands is so far away it is often easy to consider who makes your clothes as 'other'. That's why we make locally and in a different way to fast fashion brands, making a point of knowing every single person we work with so everyone feels respected and like they belong.
 
Susanna is also passionate about Birdsong’s body positive messaging, and available for comment on their plus size offering, which currently goes up to a size UK 30.
 
“Growing up in the 90’s and early 00’s reading fashion magazines was really destructive to me. Going through disordered eating as a young adult and receiving professional treatment for it has instilled in me the value of body positivity and pride in your appearance, however different it might be from the status quo. We try to have a diverse range of models to celebrate and wear our clothes. I wanted to build a fashion brand that had positive body representation and I wished a brand existed like birdsong when I was younger.”
 
Links:

Birdsong - https://www.birdsong.london

Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

 

#ethicalfashion #sustainablefashion #ShopEthicalInstead #organicfabrics #fairtrade #bcorp #socialenterprise #bodypositivity #smallbusiness 
 

Episode 24 Shop Ethical Instead - with Sian Conway-Wood (#ShopEthicalInstead)

#ShopEthicalInstead is a positive alternative to Black Friday - encouraging people to support small, ethical and sustainable businesses throughout the holiday season.

 

In this episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast, host Jo Salter chats with Sian Conway-Wood, founder of #EthicalHour and organiser of the #ShopEthicalInstead marketing campaign.  #ShopEthicalInstead is now going into its 5th year and is set to be bigger and better than ever!

 

Throughout November and December, we spend more money than any other time of year on gifts for our loved ones. By simply purchasing those gifts from the good businesses in our community, we can have a positive impact that ripples around our neighbourhoods and through supply chains across the world.

 

Research shows that approximately 73% of money spent locally stays within the local economy (as opposed to only 43% of money spent at chains). If we want our high streets to thrive and our local communities to be vibrant, diverse places to live, we need to support the SMEs on our doorstep.

 

Having weathered the pandemic and now entering a cost-of-living crisis, it’s a challenging time for ethical SMEs, but they are still fiercely committed to paying living wage, creating jobs, supporting communities and treading as lightly on the planet as possible.

 

This year, choose to shop small, vote with your wallet, and #ShopEthicalInstead - because every sale matters to a small business.

Links:

#EthicalHour - https://www.ethicalhour.com 

#ShopEthicalInstead - https://ethicalnews.org/home/shop-ethical-instead/

Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

 

Episode 23 - Growing UK Hemp for Fibre with Claire O’Sullivan and Kitty Wilson Brown

We're all becoming increasingly aware of the need to move away from fast fashion, plastic based fabrics and clothing waste.  A key way to make the move is by re-exploring heritage fabrics and production methods, aiming for a much more considered approach to the clothes we wear.

Hemp as a fibre has a long history in the UK going back thousands of years, but fell out of favour during the last hundred years or so.  However it offers not only the ability to create fabrics locally but also other benefits including soil health and employment opportunities.

In this episode podcast host Jo Salter chats with Claire O'Sullivan and Kitty Wilson Brown who founded Contemporary Hempery in 2021.  They have recently grown and harvested their first crop of industrial hemp in Suffolk, UK.  This crop will now be processed and turned into fabric.  Listen in to hear more about their journey and what's next for hemp in the UK.

Useful links:

Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

Contemporary Hempery (instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/contemporaryhempery

Wakelyns Suffolk organic agroforestry, food, horticulture hub - https://wakelyns.co.uk/

Festival of Natural Fibres 8/9 October 2022 (eventbrite) - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/festival-of-natural-fibres-tickets-389476052357

Festival of Natural Fibres information - https://khadi.london/festival-of-natural-fibres-2022/

Festival of Natural Fibres (instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/festival_of_natural_fibres/

 

Episode 22 The Actor and the Spinner - exploring Gandhi’s values in theatre and life, with Paul Bazely and Asha Buch

Think of Gandhi and he is likely to be wearing his simple white robe.  This was khadi - a traditional handspun fabric traditional to India and promoted by Gandhi as part of his movement.

Where Does It Come From? is proud to have supplied fabrics for the current production of 'The Father and The Assassin' by Anupama Chandrasekhar, a play about Gandhi's assassination, which is showing at London's National Theatre.  The production team were passionate about authenticity and so the cast wore khadi.

In this podcast episode Jo Salter talks with Paul Bazely and Asha Buch.  Paul plays Mahatma Gandhi in 'The Father and The Assasin' and, as part of the role, he spins cotton.  Asha Buch, an educationalist and spinner, taught Paul how to spin cotton into thread just as Gandhi would have done it.  

The conversation ranges from the theatre production and being Gandhi, the khadi fabric and how Gandhi's thinking applies just as much, if not more, today as when he was alive.

Links mentioned in the discussion:

The Father and The Assassin (National Theatre) - https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/the-father-and-the-assassin

Where Does It Come From? - https://wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk/

Khadi London - https://khadi.london 

Metta Centre - https://www.mettacenter.org/

Mahatma Gandhi information - https://www.mkgandhi.org/ 

 

#mahatmagandhi #gandhi #khadi #nationaltheatre #sustainablefashion #regenerative #fairtrade #naturalfabric #handwoven #organiccotton

 

Episode 21 - Becoming a B Corp with Sarah Jordan of Y.O.U Underwear

B Corp is a growing movement of businesses that are certified to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.  There are now over 4900 B Corps in 79 countries.

But what is a B Corp and why go through the rigorous process to be accredited as one?

In this episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast host Jo Salter chats with Sarah Jordan.  Sarah is the founder and CEO of Y.O.U Underwear, a brand that aims to change the world one pair of pants at a time.  For every piece of underwear bought, Y.O.U underwear donates a pair of pants to someone who needs them, ensuring girls don't miss out on education and society.

Sarah talks us through the process of becoming a B Corp and explains what it means for Y.O.U Underwear.

More about B Corps: https://bcorporation.uk/

Y.O.U Underwear: https://www.youunderwear.com/

Where Does It Come From? : https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

#bcorp #businesstodogood #socialenterprise #fairtrade #transparency 

 

Episode 20 Offsetting - Does it help or hinder as we tackle a climate emergency? with Will Richardson and Jarvis Smith

We know that we are now in a 'code red' for humanity.  Reducing carbon outputs is a vital part of our strategy to tackle the climate emergency.

Carbon offsetting is way that businesses, governments and individuals can pay a contribution to an environmental project to make up for carbon that they are generating.  For example paying to plant a tree to offset the carbon generated by a flight.

But does offsetting really help us reduce carbon overall or it just a way to hide from the issue?

In this episode our podcast host Jo Salter, founder and CEO of clothing and textiles social enterprise Where Does It Come From? talks with Will Richardson and Jarvis Smith.

Will Richardson founded Green Element in 2004 and Compare Your Footprint in 2015, with a desire to help as many businesses as possible go ‘green’. A pioneer and early adopter of many now-mandatory environmental standards, his visionary approach and inspiring leadership is exemplary.  He is also a current board member and Chairman of the British Kitesports Association; the NGB for kitesports.  Will runs his own podcast which is constantly featured in the top of the eco podcast lists.

Jarvis Smith is a proud hippie, mystic, self-confessed tree-hugger and radical eco-warrior - he's also a thought leader, entrepreneur, speaker and renowned online retail businessman. His first magazine GREEN was published with National Geographic from 2008, which then moved to The Guardian in 2010, evolving into the My Green Pod magazine from 2013. Co-produced with wife Katie Hill, it is now the world’s biggest ethical lifestyle magazine. Jarvis launched the P.E.A. (People Environment Achievement) Awards which, in its 11th year, is the UK’s leading sustainability awards and honours individuals and teams for their contribution towards sustainability.  Jarvis and wife Katie also run the My Green Podcast with Jo Wood.

Links:

Compare Your Footprint - https://www.compareyourfootprint.com/

Green Element - https://www.greenelement.co.uk/

My Green Pod - https://www.mygreenpod.com/

The P.E.A Awards - https://www.peaawards.com/

Fit for the Future - https://fftf.org.uk/about

Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

 

 

Episode 19 Ask the Expert - Why are energy prices rising and how does green energy fit in? With John Taylor

Energy Prices in the UK are rising dramatically - the energy price cap in the UK will rise 54% from April - and many people are anxious.  At the same time we are aware of the impacts of fossil fuels on our planet and are working for less reliance on coal and natural gas.

In this episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast, Jo Salter asks energy expert John Taylor some key questions about why energy bills are rising, how renewable energy fits in to the picture and what steps we can be taking to cut our fuel bills.

Here are some links mentioned in the discussion - 

If you need help to pay for home improvements that will reduce your bills check out:

Green Homes Grant Scheme Application Form (est.org.uk)

Home owners can get up to £10k grant for insulation, solar panels or a heat pump.

Landlords can get up to £5k on behalf of their tenants.

 

If you need advice visit:

Energy advice for your home - Energy Saving Trust

 

If you can afford it and want to go further consider these:

Group buying schemes for solar panels Group-buying for solar | Solar Together

Buy part of a wind farm Ripple Energy | Join Ripple

 

Twitter: You can follow John Taylor at @CoppiceJT and Jo Salter at @salter_jo

Find out more about Where Does It Come From? at https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk