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

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

Episode 18 Plastic Free Manningtree - Community Activism with Bekki Bibko

We hear a great deal about the actions we can take as individuals and the changes required from government and big business - both vital if we are going to combat the climate emergency.  We also have vital roles to play as local communities, both to make our communities better and to contribute to wider change.

Manningtree in Essex recently earned 'Plastic Free Town' accreditation from Surfers Against Sewage.  This was down to community effort and instigated by Bekki Bibko.  As a founder member of Manningtrees community activism group PACE, Bekki co-ordinated the effort required to gain the accreditation, earning herself the Community Engagement Award from Manningtree Town Council.

A teacher and special needs advisor, Bekki wants to see grassroots community groups being established everywhere to make change at a local level, which will drive change at the national and even international level.

Could your town be a 'Plastic Free Town'?  Listen to Bekki's story to find out how to make it happen!

PACE

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PACEManningtree/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pacemanningtree/

Website - https://www.pacemanningtree.co.uk/

 

Plastic Free Manningtree, Mistley & Lawford

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/plasticfreemml

Press coverage - https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/19790569.manningtree-recognised-plastic-free-community/

 

Surfers Against Sewage - https://www.sas.org.uk/

Plastic Free Communities - https://plasticfree.org.uk/

How to sign up your business - https://plasticfree.org.uk/get-involved/business/

 

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

 

 

#PlasticFreeCommunitues

#PlasticFreeManningtreeMistleyandLawford

#LoveWhereYouLive

Episode 17 - Journalism to Support Change with Georgina Wilson-Powell

Media reporting on greener living and the climate emergency can sometimes seem like it's painting a gloomy picture, trivialising or even ignoring the issues altogether.  With awareness growing many readers are looking for clear information and guidance.

In this podcast episode, Where Does It Come From? social enterprise founder Jo Salter chats with Georgina Wilson-Powell, author and founder of Pebble Magazine.  After 16 years as a journalist, Georgina Wilson-Powell set up Pebble Magazine in 2016 as a complete sustainable living publication. This is now the UK's leading sustainable living digital Magazine.  Alongside sits the free online Ripples Community for planet friendly people. 

Georgina is also the author of 'Is It Really Green: Everyday Eco Dilemmas Answered' and the 'Eco Conscious Travel Guide' (out in March 2022).

In this episode Jo and Georgina recap on 2021 and discuss the trends we can expect in 2022 and how we can all get involved in climate action in ways that are positive and right for us as individuals.

Pebble Magazine - https://pebblemag.com/

Ripples Community - https://pebble.mn.co/https:/

Books by Georgina Wilson-Powell:

1. Is It Really Green: Everyday Eco Dilemmas Answered

2. Eco Conscious Travel Guide (out in March 2022).

You can also subscribe to pebble's weekly positive news.

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

Episode 16 - Shopping for Preloved Fashion with Elene Marsden

Second hand doesn't mean second best.

Preloved fashion has had a makeover and there's a growing audience who are finding bargains, their own individual style AND saving the planet through wearing clothes that used to be owned by other people.

Elene Marsden, known as the Preloved Chica, is a preloved shopping enthusiast and influencer.  She'll take you out charity shopping and advise you on process and style.  She's active on social media, gives talks and runs a radio show on Ipswich Community Radio.

Listen in to get excited about preloved fashion and for some hints and tips!

Elene on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prelovedchica/

Elene on the radio: https://www.icrfm.com/show/preloved-chica-time-capsule/

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

#secondhand #preloved #ethicalfashion #charityshops 

Episode 15 - Green Politics and Activism with Rachel Smith-Lyte

COP26, the conference hoping to bring the world together to fight the climate emergency, is now over. 

Media attention has led to a growing awareness of the danger that faces us, although some are still blissfully ignorant. But there are many people who've been focused on 'green issues'  for decades - researching, campaigning and now actively protesting - calling for leadership and the changes that need to happen if we are going to protect life on our planet.

In this episode Where Does It Come From? founder Jo Salter chats with Rachel Smith-Lyte.  A long-time eco-activist with Greenpeace and later Extinction Rebellion, Rachel realised that with the looming climate and biodiversity crisis, she needed to get involved politically.  She joined the Green Party in 2011 and has stood three times in local elections, including in the 2015 General Election where she gained 6% of the vote share (thus retaining the deposit for the first time). In May 2019 Rachel secured her first seat on the new East Suffolk Council – the first Green to be elected in the old Suffolk Coastal district.  

As an activist Rachel attended COP26 and has taken part in Extinction Rebellion protests.

The Green Party - https://vote.greenparty.org.uk/

Extinction Rebellion - https://extinctionrebellion.uk/

The People versus Climate Change (on iplayer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p097sbzc

Extinction Rebellion East of England - https://xreoe.earth/events

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

 

Episode 14 - Live from COP26 with Will Saunders

Are you on top of what's happening at COP26?

It's a rollercoaster ride - highs, lows, achievements, concerns.

This episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast is coming live from Glasgow, with Where Does It Come From?'s Jo Salter chatting with Will Saunders who is at COP26 representing the organisation Scientists Warning Europe. 

Will is Founder & Creative Director at Good Will Studios  with 15 years of designing, building brands, and visual storytelling. He’s at COP26 representing Scientists Warning Europe a charity calling for science-endorsed action at COP26 and beyond.  

There were a few wifi issues at the very start of the recording.  To see an unedited video of the discussion please visit (and subscribe to) our youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUXM5kflEMW4uvrw3YcXjTg

Links:

Scientists Warning Europe:

https://www.scientistswarningeurope.org.uk/signature https://www.scientistswarningeurope.org.uk/voices

Good Will Studios:

Good Will Studio's https://www.goodwillstudios.com/

 

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

 

#cop26 #togetherforourplanet #onestepgreener #scientistswarningeurope

Episode 13 - How to be an anti-greenwashing activist with Sian Conway-Wood and Georgina Wilson-Powell

We hear a lot about 'greenwashing' but what can we do about it?

As citizens and consumers we can all play a role, big or small, in holding companies and leaders to account for the green claims that they are making.  

This episode is a conversation recorded for Ethical Consumer Week on 21st October 2021.  Hosted by Ethicalhour's Sian Conway-Wood and with guests Georgina Wilson-Powell of Pebble Magazine and Where Does It Come From?'s Jo Salter, the conversation covers a range of subjects along with actions we can all take.  

As we approach COP26 there's more need than ever to ensure that the information we're being given is accurate.  If it's not then we need to act - from simply keeping up to date with events and asking questions to calling out those who are being economical with the truth and misleading the public.

Here are links mentioned in the discussion:

Ethical Consumer Magazine - www.ethicalconsumer.org

Pebble Magazine - www.pebblemag.com

Ethicalhour - www.ethicalhour.co.uk

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

HM Government's new legislation on greenwashing - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/greenwashing-cma-puts-businesses-on-notice

Advertising Standards Authority - https://www.asa.org.uk/

 

 

Episode 12 Creating a sustainable coffee business that serves customers, farmers and the planet - with Azzouz El-Mahraoui

Do you love a cup of coffee?

If so, you're not alone - coffee is the most popular drink worldwide with around two billion cups consumed every day, according to the British Coffee Association.

In this episode host Jo Salter, founder of ethical textiles brand Where Does It Come From?, chats to Azzouz El-Mahraoui, co-founder of Coffeelink.  In 2005 Azzouz and wife Rebecca set up Coffeelink as a single espresso bar in Ipswich and have since grown it across the East of England as well as offering an online service.

For Azzouz and Rebecca sustainabililty and ethics are key to the brand, focusing on quality as well as fair treatment for farmers and environmental projects such as forest grown coffee.

But how have they achieved such success while remaining true to their values?  Listen to find out.

Coffeelink - www.coffeelink.com

The Earthshot prize on iPlayer (as discussed in the chat) -  https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p09w81sc/the-earthshot-prize-repairing-our-planet-series-1-1-protect-restore-nature

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