Sustainability Matters Today

There is so much plastic waste from food packaging – whether it’s the plastic bag inside cereal boxes or plastic milk bottles, berry containers or yogurt cups – it begs the question, can we avoid all this plastic? While the big scale supermarket chains are slowly catching on, a brand-new breed of shops has come to life: zero-waste supermarkets. In this Episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Catherine Conway, founder and CEO of Unpackaged, and a Champion of promoting a zero-waste lifestyle. Unpackaged sets up refill stations in stores around the UK, including Planet Organic and Waitrose, and customers bring their own refillable containers to fill them with products from the dispensers. This allows people to only buy the amount they need, limiting food waste while avoiding single-use plastics. Catherine also offers consulting services to help spread the idea of zero-waste stores as far as possible. We discuss the challenges Catherine encountered when inventing the refill system, her history of adv

In this episode, I interview Toby McCartney, Co-Founder and CEO of MacRebur: The Plastic Road Company, and a Champion of recycling plastic to improve roads. MacRebur takes plastic waste, destined for either landfill or incineration, and turns it into a strong and environmentally-friendly asphalt glue. This additive binder greatly increases road durability, while at the same time recycling plastic waste. A real win-win. One kilometre of road built with MacRebur’s products, uses the equivalent weight of 684,000 bottles or 1.8 million single-use plastic bags! And amazingly, with their design, there is no chance of microplastics entering the water or air. Using plastic to build roads is literally paving the way for a better future. Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other champions of sustainability like Toby McCartney and MacRebur. I hope you enjoy the episode!

Globally we emit over 36 billion tonnes of CO2 per year – a number so high, we can barely imagine its effect on our climate. While climate change awareness is reaching more and more people around the world, and we’re learning step by step how to avoid unsustainable lifestyles, it can be very difficult to imagine our own carbon emissions on a personal level. Do you know how much carbon you emit on a daily basis? Or the average person‘s emissions? Today I interview Gilad Regev, CO-Founder and CEO of Kora App, and a #Champion of rewarding sustainable lifestyles. Kora is an ambitious start-up, aimed at creating an app that tracks your impact on the planet and rewards personal carbon reductions with Kora points. These Koras can then be spent in the built-in marketplace on offers from Kora partners and to support CO2 reduction projects. Unlike the current flawed carbon credit system (also known as carbon offsetting), Kora wants to reward individuals for reducing carbon emissions, instead of punishing companies for

In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Habib Khan, Director and Founding Partner at Meristem Design and a Champion of Urban Greening for Cleaner City Air. Meristem Design specializes in creating green solutions for grey urban spaces and is heavily involved with ‘greening’ London. Providing green screens and plants to the most polluted schools across London, building parklets in neighborhoods, planting living walls in the city, and maintaining green infrastructure in landmark office buildings like The Shard, Meristem uses plants to purify the air and provide many health benefits to people. Their parklets have won the Global Good Award for making sustainability and social impact. They have also picked up awards from the International Healthy Streets Summit in Glasgow in 2018. Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other champions of sustainability like Habib. I hope you enjoy the episode!

In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Steve Horton, founder of Baker’s Field Flour and Bread and #Champion of Local and Sustainable Wheat and Grains. Working with flour every day to create a variety of artisan quality breads, Steve has a refined appreciation for the fundamental role fresh flour plays in great bread. This led him to start Baker’s Field Flour and Bread where he and his team use freshly milled local flour to bake their naturally-leavened breads. A three-time James Beard Awardee, Steve connects farmers, millers, and bakers to create exceptional flour and bread made from unique grains that are cultivated using sustainable and organic methods. Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other champions of sustainability like Steve. I hope you enjoy the episode! Resources: Other resources: Watch the full episode: https://sustainabilitym.at/Steve-Horton-Youtube Read the transcript: https://www.sustainabilitymatters.today

In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Sara Bogdan, Manager of Sustainability and Environmental Social Governance at JetBlue and a Champion of Carbon-Neutral Airlines.  JetBlue is the sixth-largest Airline in the US in terms of passengers carried, operating over 1000 flights a day.  Being part of the aviation industry, that’s responsible for 2% of the world's carbon emissions, JetBlue has a unique philosophy for its sector: “Sustainable planning is essential to our success—if we aren't thinking about solutions and working to achieve them it's not good business.” While on the one hand climate change awareness has led to flight-shaming all around the world, Jetblue is taking huge steps towards carbon-neutral flying. Electric passenger planes might still be years in the making, but the company offers several solutions to make flying more environmentally friendly. Their strategy includes reducing emissions, by voluntarily retiring older airplane models, and replacing them with more

In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Dorry Price, Sustainability Consultant and #Champion of Contributing FutureReady Solutions to Corporate Sustainability. Working to create innovative solutions and a thriving environment for communities across the UK, Dorry is a sustainability consultant and a steering group member of The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Futures, which is a networking group for students, graduates, and young professionals who want to work in the sustainability field. With her specialization in corporate sustainability solutions and services, Dorry wrote an article called “For the Record”, where she discusses the role blockchain could have in helping the UK transition to a low-carbon economy. Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other champions of sustainability like Steve. I hope you enjoy the episode! Resources House of Fraser: https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk Nordstrom: https://a

In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I speak with Alex Watson, the co-founder of the Climate Cocktail Club, London Branch and a Champion of Shaping the Conversation on Climate Change. In 2017 Alex published an article called, "My case for doing business more sustainably", where he wrote about the possibility for companies to put purpose before profit in order to create social or environmental benefits while generating enough revenue to be financially sustainable. After completing Al Gore's Climate Reality Training, Alex brought the Climate Cocktail Club, a collaboration platform for professionals who want to solve the climate challenge, to London in 2019. Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other champions of sustainability like Alex. I hope you enjoy the episode! Resources: Climate Cocktail Club website: https://www.climatecocktailclub.org Natural Capital Partners website: https://www.naturalcapitalpartners.com Climate Reality Project

In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Paul Shapiro, the author of the national bestseller Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World, the CEO of The Better Meat Co., a four-time TEDx speaker, the host of the Business for Good Podcast, and #Champion on Revolutionizing Food through  Sustainable Plant-based Blended Meat. Providing a sustainable solution to the globally rising demand of meat, Paul founded The Better Meat Co., a B2B company helping food-sellers enhance their meat products through blending innovative plant protein formulas into ground meat products. The Better Meat Co gets its name because their blends enhance the taste, nutrition, and the sustainability of meat products, all in a cost-competitive way. The award-winning business has recently partnered with Perdue Food, the number one brand of fresh chicken in the US, in producing the first-of-its kind chicken nuggets blended with plants and vegetables. In 2018, Paul released the

In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Amanda Weeks, CEO and co-founder of  Ambrosia and #Champion on Combining Waste Management with Closed-Loop Manufacturing. Providing a solution to our massive food waste problem while simultaneously creating sustainable products and commodities, Ambrosia was founded by Amanda and became the first closed-loop manufacturing company launched to specifically address the circular economy. With the hopes of recovering some of the 40 percent of food that ends up in landfills, she developed an anaerobic fermentation to breakdown food waste and turn the resulting byproduct into organic fertilizers and natural surface cleaners. She recently launched their first product, Veles, the first closed-loop, all-purpose household cleaner derived from food waste. This award-winning manufacturing company, was recently recognized as one of the winders of Waste360 2020 40 under 40 Awards, which recognizes innovators in waste and recycling industry. Please make sure to

In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Katherine Maunder, Founder of Threadtales and #Champion of Ethical Fashion through Sustainable Practices. Threadtales is a luxury fashion brand that creates scarves, travel wraps and Kaftans using environmentally-sound fabrics. Katherine is passionate about handcrafted raw materials to create unique designs, so she chose to make many of Threadtales’ pieces out of their signature Lotus flower fabric. The Lotus flower grows naturally in lakes in Myanmar and benefits from harvesting, which helps the crop renew each season. The clothes are then produced in Nepal using zero electricity, zero waste, and zero chemicals. Thread Tales were recently awarded the Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury for their company-wide commitment to strong environmental principles. Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other sustainability champions like Katherine. I hope you enjoy the episode! Resources: Website: thread

This is a special, end-of-year episode for the Sustainability Champions who have subscribed and supported the Sustainability Matters Today Podcast!  Thank you for listening to the show and learning from the Champions we feature who are taking steps every day to heal our planet. We look forward to speaking with you again in 2020 and greatly appreciate your continued support!I If you haven’t yet, please follows us on IG @sustainabilitymatterstoday, and subscribe to our FB page, Sustainability Matters Today!

Did you know reforesting about 2.2 billion acres could store 205 gigatonnes of carbon? That’s the equivalent of two-thirds of all the carbon humans have already released into the atmosphere! In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Dr. Stephen Fitch, founder and CEO of Eden Reforestation Projects and #Champion of Reforestation and Ecological Restoration. Launched in Ethiopia in 2004, Eden Reforestation Projects restores healthy forests in Madagascar, Haiti, Nepal, Indonesia, Mozambique, and Kenya while reducing extreme poverty by employing thousands of local villagers to plant trees in deforested areas. Eden has been recognized as one of the most cost-effective reforestation projects in the world. Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other champions of sustainability like Steve. I hope you enjoy the episode! Resources: Eden Reforestation Projects Website: https://edenprojects.org Ecosia website: https://www.ecosia.org Aqui

Did you know, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a common cleansing agent found in shampoos and soaps, damages the natural protective barriers on your skin and lets in hormone-disrupting chemicals, which can be carcinogenic? In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Dennes James-Kraan, the co-founder of Tabitha James Kraan (TJK) Organic Hairdressing and #Champion of Sustainable and Organic Hair Care. Founded in 1999, TJK is a pioneering, organic salon based in the Cotswolds, UK that runs 100% on energy from renewable sources. In 2015, they launched their own line of luxury organic hair products that deliver professional performance without compromising on the quality of ingredients. This organic hair care line recently won the Marie Claire Hair Awards in 2019 for being a game-changer in the cosmetic industry. Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other champions of sustainability like Dennes. I hope you enjoy the episode! Resources: Sassoon Acade

Did you know smallholder farms provide up to 80 percent of the food supply in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa? In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Jeff Abella, co-founder of Moka Origins, a bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer and specialty coffee roaster and #Champion of Economic Development through Sustainable Agriculture. Founded in 2015, Moka Origins has been empowering rural African farming communities by providing smallholder farmers with technical training and sustainable marketing links, while supporting the local economy through their chocolate and coffee products. In April 2019, Moka Origins won the Bronze Prize in the Annual Fedex Small Business Grant Contest. They also received the Innovator of the Year award from the Wayne Economic Development Corporation in 2017. Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other champions of sustainability like Jeff. I hope you enjoy the episode! Resources: Himalayan Institute: https://ww

Did you know palm oil is in around 50% of all products found on supermarket shelves? In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview Inke Van Der Sluijs, head of European operations at the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (aka the RSPO) and #Champion of Sustainable Palm Oil. Established in 2004, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil is the leading certifying body that demonstrates palm oil is produced with the environment and society in mind. The RSPO has more than 4,000 members worldwide who represent all links along the palm oil supply chain. They have committed to produce, source and/or use sustainable palm oil certified by the RSPO. Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn more about other champions of sustainability like Inke. I hope you enjoy this episode! Resources: Assurance Services International (ASI): www.asi-assurance.org/s Jurisdiction approach to certification: rspo.org/news-and-events/announcements/public-consultation-jurisdictional-app

Did you know, investing the money in your savings into sustainable funds can have a 27 times bigger positive impact on your carbon footprint than eating less meat, taking public transportation, reducing your water use, and flying less, combined? In this episode of Sustainability Matters Today, I interview JP Dallmann, Sustainable & Impact Investment Advisor and host of the “Impact Leaders” podcast. The Impact Leaders podcast features individuals who focus on Impact Investment and Performance with Purpose. JP is the CEO of ILA & Partners, helping Investment Managers and Companies that want to transition into Sustainable & Impact Investing. In 2017,  JP started Impact Founders - a community of impact-driven entrepreneurs who use profit and technology as a force for good. He is also the co-founder of Realchangers, a platform that matches mission-driven talent with impact-driven companies that are solving the most pressing global issues of today. And he is a contributor to Forbes.com, where

Did you know, used coffee grounds can reduce deforestation because they contain many of the same properties as palm oil? In this episode of the Sustainability Matters Today podcast, I interview Fergus Moore, Co-Founder of Revive Eco and #Champion of Diverting Coffee Grounds from Landfill. Revive Eco collects and recycles used coffee grounds to produce a range of eco-friendly products. Recently, they were chosen as a Solve - MIT Global Finalist for their proposal of converting coffee grounds into high value, natural oils. For their innovation, Revive-Eco received the LiveWIRE Smarter Future Award in 2016, a Green Champion Award from the Glasgow Business Awards in 2017, a grant from Zero Waste Scotland’s Circular Economy Investment Fund in 2018, and recently they were semi-finalists in the Chivas Venture Final in 2019, for which they received $20,000 in prize money. Please subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn about other champions of sustainability like Fergus. I hope you enjoy this ep

Did you know one-third of all food produced around the world doesn't make it to our plates? That’s about 1.4 billion tons or enough to feed 2 billion people each year. In this episode of the Sustainability Matters Today podcast, I interview Rosalind Rathouse, founder of The Cookery School at Little Portland Street and #Champion of Sustainable Cooking.  The Cookery School offers classes on simple, straightforward, and delicious cooking using sustainable methods and ingredients. They hold a Three Star Rating – the highest possible – from the Sustainable Restaurant Association for the last 8 years making them London’s only and most sustainable cooking school. I had the privilege of taking an Indian food cooking class at the Cookery School and it was fantastic! Everything Rosalind describes as far as their approach to sustainability, fresh ingredients, and teaching style is true - I was really impressed. If you have the chance to go to a class at the Cookery School, I highly recommend it! Please make sure to

Did you know, in 2018, almost 480 billion of plastic bottles were sold? That's almost 1 million every minute. In this episode of the Sustainability Matters Today podcast, I interviewed Scott Edwards, founder and CEO of Drop Water and #Champion of Compostable Water Bottles. Drop Water is making bottled water more sustainable with their unique packaging and manufacturing methods.  For their innovation, Scott and his team won the silver prize for the 2018 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest beating 7,800 other applicants.  You can get Drop Water beverages from Drop Kiosks currently found in both terminals at the San Jose Airport and a Kiosk was recently added into the San Francisco Airport.  Please make sure to subscribe to the Sustainability Matters Today podcast to learn about other champions of sustainability.  I hope you enjoy the episode!  Resources: Polyethylene Water Bottles: https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/materials-handling/plastic-bottle-manufacturing/ Polymers: https://