Where Does It Come From? How our 'stuff' impacts people and planet: Recent Episodes
Jo Salter
Most of use have a lot of 'stuff' in our lives - from furniture to fashion. We're all becoming much more aware of how the creation, use and disposal of these items can impact the people who make them, our planet and even ourselves.
This podcast will share Interviews with amazing people who have made it their life goals to make a difference - creating businesses, campaigns and writing books to help us understand these impacts and make better choices going forward. Host Jo Salter, social entrepreneur and founder of ethical clothing business Where Does It Come From?, encourages them to tell their story so they can inspire us with the challenges they've faced, the impact they've had and their big why.
Intro music - rushing deadlines by dylan-darby (from Pixabay) #greenliving #ethicalliving #green #ecofriendly #climatecrisis #ethicalbusiness #sustainability #ethicalfashion www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Wool, Craft and the Pastoral Life — with Rahul Noble Singh
Rahul Noble Singh is a man who wears many hats, and several of them involve wool.
Growing up between the UK and India, where his parents ran a travel company, Rahul developed a deep connection to both worlds. That rootedness in two cultures has shaped a career dedicated to building routes to market for pastoral and rural craft communities - the people who raise the animals, shear the fleece, spin the yarn and weave the cloth that the rest of the world barely notices.
He currently works with India's Centre for Pastoralism, supporting the rights and livelihoods of nomadic herding communities, and with Rangsutra Crafts, a producer-owned craft enterprise connecting rural artisans to markets. He also runs Miyar Mufflers, a rural wool brand rooted in the Himalayan valleys, bringing the story of pastoral wool directly to the people who wear it.
In this conversation, Jo and Rahul explore what it really means to build fair and sustainable markets for communities whose knowledge, skill and way of life are often invisible to the mainstream, and why pastoral wool deserves to be seen, valued and worn.
A conversation about craft, community, slow fibre and the long thread between producer and wearer.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Centre For Pastoralism - https://centreforpastoralism.org/
Miyar Mufflers - https://miyarmufflers.com/mufflers/
Rangsutra Crafts - https://rangsutra.com/
Instagram:
@wheredoesitcome
@centreforpastoralism
@desi_oon_hub
@rangsutracrafts
@miyar.mufflers
pastoralwool #India #craftcommunities #slowfashion #transparency #rurallivelihoods #desioon
Welcome back to Where Does It Come From? — the podcast hosted by Jo Salter, founder of the award-winning social enterprise Where Does It Come From? This series uncovers the powerful stories behind the things we wear and use, shining a light on the people, processes, and possibilities that can create a fairer, more sustainable world. Each episode features inspiring conversations with changemakers, innovators, and thought leaders who are reimagining a better future through business, activism, and creativity.
This time, we dive into the vibrant world of Pakistani craftsmanship, gender justice, and global turmoil with Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui — founder of Polly and Other Stories and Chair of the Women of the World annual conference in Pakistan.
Amneh shares her inspiring journey bridging the gap between talented artisanal producers—many from remote villages and refugee communities—and global markets, empowering women and small enterprises excluded from mainstream opportunities. With a powerful focus on social justice, sustainability, and decolonizing fashion, she reveals how authentic handmade crafts can transform local economies and challenge industry norms.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Polly and Other Stories - https://www.pollyandotherstories.com
Women of the World Pakistan - https://wowpakistan.pk/
pakistan #crafts #gender #stories #sustainability #socialjustice
Welcome back to the Where Does It Come From? podcast.
Hosted by Jo Salter, founder of the award-winning social enterprise Where Does It Come From? - creating Kind Clothes that Tell Tales, this podcast explores the stories behind what we wear and use — shining a light on people, processes, and possibilities for creating a fairer, more sustainable world. Each episode features conversations with changemakers, innovators, and thought leaders who are reimagining a more positive future, through business, campaigning and more.
In this episode, Jo is joined by Carry Somers, a visionary leader whose work has transformed the global fashion industry. As co-founder of Fashion Revolution, the world’s largest fashion activism movement, Carry has spearheaded a shift towards transparency, fairness, and sustainability in supply chains. She also founded Pachacuti, the first Fair Trade certified fashion company, and continues to champion artisans and Indigenous communities through her work with the League of Artisans.
Carry’s influence stretches far and wide — from sailing 2,000 miles to research ocean plastic pollution, to presenting at global conferences, to her latest role as author of The Nature of Fashion. In her book, she weaves history, culture, and ecology together to show how fashion is inseparable from the natural world — and how reconnecting with heritage craft, natural fibres, and plant-based dyes can inspire a regenerative future.
Together, Jo and Carry delve into:
✨ The origins and impact of Fashion Revolution
✨ The role of artisans, heritage craft, and Indigenous knowledge
✨ Carry's new book The Nature of Fashion - a history and a vision for the future
✨ Future steps towards transforming fashion into a force for good
This inspiring conversation reminds us that fashion is not just about clothes — it’s about people, planet, and the stories we choose to weave into our lives.
Please like, comment and share this episode, and follow the podcast.
A video of this episode will also be shared on the Where Does It Come From? youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@wheredoesitcomefrom - please follow, like and comment. Thank you.
Links: Where Does It Come From? https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Fashion Revolution https://www.fashionrevolution.org
Carry Somers https://www.carrysomers.com
Pachacuti https://panamas.co.uk/
League of Artisans https://leagueofartisans.org/
Order The Nature of Fashion book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nature-Fashion-botanical-story-material/dp/1915294797
thenatureoffashion #fashionrevolution #podcast #josalter #carrysomers #artisans #nature #ethicalfashion #sustainablefashion #regenerativefashion
🎙 Where Does It Come From? Podcast Episode 42:
From Field to Fashion: Sustainable Leather in the UK 🐄🌱
In this episode, host Jo Salter, founder of ethical clothing brand Where Does It Come From? delves into the fascinating world of leather with special guests Sara Grady and Alice Robinson, co-founders of British Pasture Leather.
Leather is often a controversial material, but can it be produced in a way that supports a sustainable and regenerative future? Sara and Alice share their insights on how regenerative agriculture can build connections and traceability into the leather industry —creating a system that benefits people, animals, and the planet.
Tune in to explore:
✅ The environmental impact of leather production
✅ How regenerative farming can be part of the solution
✅ The connection between environment, farming, and fashion
✅ The journey of British Pasture Leather in reshaping the industry
🎧 Listen now and discover how leather can have a positive story to tell!
🚀 Exciting News! The Where Does It Come From? Podcast has been named one of Feedspot’s Top 50 UK Sustainability Podcasts! 🌍💚 Huge thanks to our listeners and supporters.
Sara and Alice co-founded British Pasture Leather in 2020, creating the first supply of leather made from animals raised on regenerative farms in the UK. Inspired by a belief that regenerative agricultural practices are a crucial solution in renewing soils, stewarding land and reforming food and fashion systems, British Pasture Leather is linking leather with exemplary agriculture and forging new connections between farming, food and material culture. In 2023, Grady + Robinson were named sustainability thought leaders by the Vogue Business 100 Innovators List and won the Ryan Young Climate+ Award from the Textile Exchange.
Biographies
Sara Grady is a co-founder of British Pasture Leather. Her work focuses on creating food and fibre systems that are beneficial to people, animals, land, and nature. As Vice President of Programs for agricultural non-profit Glynwood (www.glynwood.org) in New York’s Hudson Valley, she directed numerous initiatives supporting regional farming and food culture. She has also worked with various food and farming enterprises to provide strategic planning, research, grant writing, program design and creative direction. Previously, she was a multimedia producer. She is a Senior Fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program; a fellow in the Royal Society of Arts, Commerce, and Manufacture; and she was a founding Board member of the New York Cider Association.
Alice V Robinson is a cofounder of British Pasture Leather and the author of Field, Fork, Fashion, a book that chronicles the making of her 2019 design collection Bullock 374. Her work explores the relationship between food and fashion by connecting farming to product design while revealing the story behind leather material. Alice graduated from the RCA in 2018, her work has since been shown at the London Design Festival, Victoria and Albert Museum, and MAD Brussels; her collection ‘11458’ was acquired by the V&A in 2020.
Jo Salter is driven by a passion for social justice and environmental causes. In 2013, she founded Where Does It Come From?, an award-winning social enterprise renowned for its transparent approach to clothing production, allowing customers to trace their garments back to the farm. Jo is also a director of Khadi London CIC a regenerative textiles knowledge hub, a regular speaker/writer and host of the Where Does It Come From? podcast. She was selected as a DEFRA Year of Global Change ambassador, a Pioneers Post/NatWest WISE 100, and a top 50 Sustainable Fashion Influencer in 2022. In 2023 shortlisted in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and in 2024 selected by Feedspot as a top 20 sustainable business influencer.
SustainableFashion #RegenerativeFarming #Leather #EthicalFashion #WhereDoesItComeFrom #BritishPastureLeather
🎧 Where Does It Come From? Podcast: Exploring Natural Dyes with Amber Fry and Hamza Zaidi! 🎧
In this episode, Jo Salter—your host and founder of the sustainable fashion social enterprise Where Does It Come From?—is joined by two experts in the world of natural dyes, Amber Fry and Hamza Zaidi, for a fascinating discussion on the growing movement to return to nature for our colours and fabrics.
Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:
🌿 What are natural dyes? – We’ll break down the history and importance of using dyes derived from plants, minerals, and other natural sources. These dyes have been used for centuries to create stunning, vibrant colours—without the harmful chemicals that synthetic dyes introduce into our environment.
🎨 How are natural dyes made and used? – Amber Fry, a designer, natural dyer, and eco-innovator, shares insights from her work cultivating a natural dye, food, and fibre garden on her Kent allotment. She discusses how she draws inspiration from nature each year to create sustainable plant-based dyes and consults for industries looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
🌍 Natural dyes in industry – Hamza Zaidi represents AMA Herbal, the global leader in manufacturing eco-friendly, extract-based natural dyes for the textile industry. Since 1996, AMA Herbal has been pioneering environmentally sound dyeing solutions with their motto: "Colouring the world naturally". Hamza will take us through the research and development journey that has made AMA Herbal the go-to supplier for businesses looking to shift towards sustainable practices, and how their products promote a healthier planet.
🛠️ How can businesses and individuals start using natural dyes? – We’ll discuss practical steps that both companies and individuals can take to incorporate natural dyes into their operations and everyday lives. This is a crucial conversation for those who are passionate about ethical fashion and environmental responsibility. If you're interested in reducing your impact on the planet through more conscious consumer choices, this episode is packed with valuable tips and insights.
Join us for a deep dive into the vibrant world of natural dyes, and learn how we can all make a difference through thoughtful, planet-first design!
🎥 Watch the full video of this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!
👉 Follow our guests:
- Amber Fry on Instagram: @amberfrycreative
- AMA Herbal at www.amaherbal.com
👉 Stay updated with Where Does It Come From? at https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
- Visit us on YouTube
NaturalDyes #SustainableFashion #EthicalFashion #PlantBasedDyes #EcoFriendlyTextiles #AmberFry #AMAHerbal #WhereDoesItComeFrom #EcoInnovation #CircularEconomy #ConsciousConsumer #ZeroWasteFashion #SustainableLiving
Welcome to episode 40 of the Where Does It Come From? podcast.
In this episode your host, Jo Salter, founder of ethical clothing social enterprise Where Does It Come From? chats with Sue Campbell. Sue is the founder of Kind2, creating haircare that brings you great hair with zero plastic. Your dog can also benefit - there's a doggy shampoo bar available too!
Kind2 creates multi-award winning, high performing solid shampoo and conditioner bars. The bars are formulated with premium plant based ingredients for shiny, healthy hair. They're also vegan, palm free and pH balanced making use of natural fragrances and colours.
You can try Kind2 for yourself with the code WHERE15 https://kind2.me/discount/WHERE15 for a 15% discount on bars and sets (not applicable to subscriptions).
Links from this episode:
https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
https://kind2.me/blogs/kind2/shampoo-is-80-water
https://kind2.me/blogs/kind2/is-there-silicone-in-your-shampoo
https://kind2.me/blogs/kind2/palm-oil-in-shampoo
Please like and rate the Where Does It Come From? podcast on your favourite platform - this will help us reach more people and spread the word!
plasticfree #haircare #ethicalhair #dogshampoo #palmoilfree #vegan #planetfriendly #podcast #sustainable
'The Nettle Dress' is a film documenting 7 years of Allan Brown's journey foraging for nettles, designing, spinning, weaving and finally sewing a dress made entirely of nettles.
The film has been released widely in the UK and beyond during 2023 to awards and positive reviews, including:
'An exquisite, inspiring film' Sir Mark Rylance
'One of the best cinema surprises of 2023' Film Review Daily
'Lyrical and moving, like a fairytale' Wendy Ide, The Guardian
In this episode your podcast host Jo Salter, founder of ethical clothing enterprise Where Does It Come From?, chats with Allan about his journey creating the nettle dress, documenting his story through his friend and film maker Dylan Howitt, and his thoughts on the way the film has been received.
This episode is the second part of a two part discussion with Allan. You can listen to the first half of the discussion in episode 38 'Grow your own clothes with Allan Brown'.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
The Nettle Dress Film - https://linktr.ee/nettledressfilm
Allan Brown on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hedgerow.couture/
thenettledress #nettledress #forage #ethicalfashion #regenerativefashion #localfibre #nettle #moviestar #movie #sustainablefashion #community
Welcome to episode 38 of the Where Does It Come From? Podcast. I’m Jo Salter, your guide through the intricate tapestry of sustainable living and conscious consumption. In this episode I'm chatting with Allan Brown, a local and natural fibre enthusiast based in Brighton, and star of the film 'The Nettle Dress' which has been showing in cinemas around the UK and beyond.
Join me in this the first half of our two-part dialogue as we explore Allan's journey from artist to crafter as he discovered the power of growing and harvesting different fibres as well as dyes, and food from the earth itself.
Follow Allan's story in local fabric production, from the soil to the skills of artisanal craftsmanship, encompassing the entire lifecycle of fabric creation, from cultivation and harvest to weaving and dyeing.
In this episode, Allan shares his thoughts and experiences, shedding light on the interconnections between land, labour, and legacy. His journey serves as a testament to the boundless potential of regenerative practices in fostering resilience and abundance within our communities.
The second half of our conversation, in which we explore the creation of the Nettle Dress and the film of the same name, will be shared in the next episode.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
The Nettle Dress Film - https://linktr.ee/nettledressfilm
Allan Brown on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hedgerow.couture/
nettledress #localfibres #flax #hemp #wool #nettle #allotment #growyourown #thepowerofsoil #localproduction #nettlefabric
Welcome to the latest episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast! In this episode, your host Jo Salter, founder of the ethical textiles brand Where Does It Come From?, sits down with Emma Mathews, the pioneering mind behind Socko, the UK's first 100% recycled sock brand.
Join Jo and Emma as they embark on a fascinating journey into the world of sustainable entrepreneurship and textiles. Learn about Emma's innovative approach to creating socks from recycled materials, and the challenges and triumphs she encountered along the way.
Discover the inspiration behind Socko's mission to reduce waste and promote environmental sustainability in the fashion industry - not only through socks but also through running repair workshops and supplying darning materials with each pair of socks. Gain valuable insights into the process of building a brand that prioritizes ethics and sustainability without compromising on style or quality.
Don't miss this engaging conversation that explores the intersection of fashion, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Socko - https://www.socko.shop
Join host Jo Salter on this enlightening episode of "Where Does It Come From?" as she sits down with Vanessa Barker, founder of Papillon Bleu, to explore the fascinating world of regenerative textiles. Vanessa shares her journey into sustainable fashion and the mission behind Papillon Bleu—a platform dedicated to promoting regenerative textiles and ethical fashion practices.
Discover the meaning of regenerative textiles and why they're crucial for transforming the fashion industry's environmental impact. Listen in to ethical textiles pioneer Vanessa as she shares her journey from creating clothes at her kitchen table to running a business providing ethical textiles to business clients.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Papillon Bleu - https://www.papillonbleu.com
Raddis Cotton - https://www.raddiscotton.com
In this episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast, your host Jo Salter, founder of ethical textiles brand Where Does It Come From?, engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Sangeeta Waldron, an accomplished and multi-award-winning Public Relations professional. Jo, recently shortlisted as a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, brings well over a decade of experience running her own business dedicated to transparency, ethics, and sustainability.
Join Jo and Sangeeta as they dive into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Public Relations (PR), exploring the delicate balance between authenticity and perception. Sangeeta, named in Commetric’s Top 100 of the PR Influencer Index, shares insights from her extensive career, working with diverse organisations and sectors to strengthen their brands through strategic CSR and sustainability initiatives.
Learn about Sangeeta's impactful contributions, from being a contributing global editor for the India CSR Network to her role as a board member for Together UK Foundation. Delve into her latest book, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations, which challenges conventional notions and earned her a spot as a Business Book Awards finalist in 2022.
🔊 Tune in for an enlightening conversation that transcends the realms of CSR and PR, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone passionate about creating positive change in the world.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Serendipidy PR - https://www.serendipidypr.co.uk
greenwashing #publicrelations #csr #sustainability #responsiblebusiness #responsiblegovernment
Welcome back to the Where Does It Come From? podcast after our summer break. In this special episode, we're diving into an exciting project that brings together five passionate individuals to create something truly unique – Sanja Stories, a regenerative jeans brand.
Over the past year, as part of the Ecosystem Incubator, we've poured our time, energy, expertise, and creativity into crafting Sanja Stories' regenerative denim jeans. These aren't just any jeans; they're designed to transcend size, age, and gender, with adjustability at their core. No harmful chemicals, dyes, or prints here – just raw, organic cotton grown from indigenous seeds.
But here's where it gets really interesting. When you join our community and embrace the stories behind your jeans, you get to personalize them. We're talking natural dye workshops, print workshops, and patches – all to help you create a unique, personalized narrative with your jeans. These stories grow with each wearer, evolving and adapting as they're passed on, again and again, until one day, the jeans naturally return to the earth, leaving no harm to the soil or air.
In this podcast episode, you'll hear from the core Sanja Stories co-creation team, including:
- Jo Salter – Your podcast host, Founder/CEO of Where Does It Come From?, and Director of Khadi London.
- Rachel Sheila Kan – Founder of the Ecosystem Incubator, Circular Earth, and a Writer and Teacher.
- Kishore Shah – Founder of Khadi London, Social Change Activist, Writer, and Consultant.
- Abhishek Jain – Founder of Mishika Crafts, a textiles social enterprise in Jaipur, India, and a member of the Khadi London team.
- Claudia Coveyduck – A Garment technologist with two decades of experience in the industry and founder of the Sample Studio.
Special thanks go out to Jo Burston for her original 3D rendering of the Sanja Stories jeans and to Fonny Bunjamin for helping us envision the exciting 3D possibilities that will support Sanja Stories users in their customization journey.
For more details, visit our website at sanjastories.com and follow us on social media @sanjastoriesdenim.
Explore the links below to learn more about our collaborators:
- Where Does It Come From?
- Ecosystem Incubator
- Khadi London
- Sample Studio
- Circular Earth
Join us in this journey of sustainable fashion and regenerative denim with Sanja Stories. Together, we're weaving a tapestry of organic, circular, and timeless stories. #organicjeans #regenerativedenim #sanjastories #circular #sustainablefashion #podcast
Welcome to the Where Does It Come From? Podcast, hosted by Jo Salter, founder of Where Does It Come From? – a social enterprise dedicated to kind clothes that tell tales. Where Does It Come From? believes in the power of transparency and ethical sourcing, ensuring that every garment has a unique story behind it, connecting consumers with the people and processes involved in its creation.
In this episode, Jo sits down with Mike Keen, an adventurous chef, kayaker, and explorer, who is currently embarking on an extraordinary journey. Mike's mission? Kayaking an astounding 3000km from the southern to the northern tip of Greenland, all in the name of raising awareness about climate change.
But Mike's journey goes beyond the physical challenge. He is actively participating in scientific experiments that involve collecting marine animal feces to study microplastics. Additionally, he's exploring the impact of a traditional Greenlandic diet on his own gut health. Along the way, Mike is supporting two charities through generous donations.
This episode delves into the motivations behind Mike's daring expedition, the challenges he faces, and the important discoveries he has made so far. From the breathtaking landscapes of Greenland to the urgent need for action on climate change, Jo and Mike engage in a thought-provoking conversation that inspires listeners to reflect on the state of our planet.
Furthermore, Mike is generously sponsored by a range of organizations, and he expresses his gratitude for their support. He also extends an invitation to adventure companies to consider joining as a key sponsor, furthering the impact of his journey.
Join Jo Salter, founder of Where Does It Come From?, and Mike Keen on this remarkable episode of the Where Does It Come From? Podcast, as they shed light on climate change, microplastics, gut health, and the power of adventure in making a difference.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Mike Keen - https://mikekeen.co
Mike Keen on Instagram - https://www.instragram.com/mikekeencooks
Contribute to Mike's charity fundraiser - https://www.mightycause.com/story/Mikekayak
Mike's sponsors - https://www.mikekeen.co/#Greenland-Expedition
You can also watch the video of this podcast (with stunning Greenlandic views!) on our Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUXM5kflEMW4uvrw3YcXjTg
ClimateChangeAwareness
KayakingAdventure
GreenlandExpedition
MicroplasticsResearch
GutHealth
SustainabilityJourney
AdventureForACause
EthicalExploration
TransparencyMatters
KindClothes
EnvironmentalAction
RaiseAwareness
OutdoorExploration
AdventureSponsorship
MakingADifference
Welcome to the Where Does It Come From? podcast where podcast host and social enterprise founder Jo Salter chats with a wide range of guests who are focused on creating positive change. Jo founded ethical clothing business Where Does It Come From? in 2013 to create kind clothes that tell tales. She is also a director of Khadi London, a regenerative textiles knowledge hub.
In this episode we are discussing economic models and specifically Doughnut Economics. It's now recognised widely that economic models that focus on continual growth without considering needs of society or the environment are insufficient. The Doughnut Economics model, created by Professor Kate Raworth, is a visual framework for development within these planetary and social boundaries. It is now being adopted as a more '21st Century' approach to development.
In this episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast host Jo Salter talks with Erinch Sahan, the business and enterprise lead at Doughnut Economics Action Lab. Previously, he was the chief executive of the World Fair Trade Organization and has spent 7 years at Oxfam working in campaigns and programmes. Erinch has also worked at Procter & Gamble as a market strategy manager, established a furniture business and worked for Australia's aid programme. Erinch is a board member of the Social Enterprise World Forum, a fellow at the Post Growth Institute and teaches sustainable value chains at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. He holds degrees in finance and law, and an honorary doctorate from Oxford Brookes University.
Please do rate and follow this podcast on your preferred platform and share this episode with your friends, this all helps us reach more people! Thank you.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL) - https://doughnuteconomics.org/
doughnuteconomics #sustainabledevelopmentgoals #podcast #economics #21stcenturyeconomics #sustainabledevelopment #regenerativesystems #climateemergency #climatecrisis #ethicalbusiness #socialenterprise #fairtrade
A growing number of people want to know where the items they use in their life come from - who made them and the impacts on people and planet.
The ethical market is growing. In the UK ethical sales and investments grew by over 34% in 2021 and the trend looks set to continue.
Businesses know that that customers are increasingly driven by their values - that's why greenwashing has become so common! But if a business can share the stories behind their products it can help them attract those values driven customers. It can also help build emotional connections between people and things - a key way to lead to positive behaviour change. This is the key premise behind Where Does It Come From? the ethical clothing and textiles social enterprise founded by podcast host Jo Salter.
In this episode Jo talks with Ali Nourbakhsh, technologist and founder of Rootip.io. Ali is a serial digital product developer, producing software and apps in London over the last 20 years to solve problems from public transportation to financial services. He started Rootip to enable sustainable and ethical businesses to clearly communicate their impact at the point of sales in order to increase conversion and create transparency.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Rootip - https://www.rootip.io
Cotton is often criticized as being unsustainable, polluting and water thirsty. However the truth is far more complex and such messaging is usually confused by the mass production and genetic modification that is a part of the current 'fast fashion' system.
Cotton has been farmed for fabric for thousands of years and supported livelihoods for farmers in many regions of the world. Cotton is a natural fibre that, when farmed in harmony with nature and without exploiting farmers, can be part of a regenerative system.
In this episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast, host Jo Salter talks with Raddis founder Aneel Kumar Ambavaram. After studying agriculture and starting his career as a pesticide salesman, Aneel decided to change direction after seeing the effects of pesticides on farmers and soil. He now works with tribal cotton farmers on a radical new system - growing regenerative cotton and creating partnership models all the way from brands to farmers.
Raddis Cotton offers a way for brands to be part of the value chain instead of just purchasing what pops out of it at the end - creation connections, stories and transparency.
If you are brand who would like to be part of this, please do get in touch at hello@wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk to find out more
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Raddis - https://www.raddiscotton.com
regenerativecotton #sustainablefashion #ethicalfashion #transparency #valuechain #tribalfarmers #india #regenerativefashion #clothesthattellstories #sustainability #connectwithclothes #deeperconnection
Most of us still purchase gifts from time to time, even during a cost of living crisis and an environmental crisis.
So how can we turn this to good effect and ensure that the gifts we choose are helping to ensure positive outcomes for the people who made them and the planet?
Growing up in India Arshad Khalid was struck by the differences between artisan created item and their cheaper, plastic counterparts. Even as a child he could see that there needed to be a way of supporting artisans to bring their products to a wider market so they could preserve the heritage crafts they use, earn sufficient income for quality of life and also contribute to environmental concerns through use of sustainable materials and the creation of quality, long lasting products.
In this episode Where Does It Come From? host Jo Salter chats with Arshad Khalid. As founder of social enterprise clothing and textiles brand Where Does It Come From? Jo has a keen interest in the same drivers as Arshad - fair trade, sustainability and heritage craft.
Arshad is a social entrepreneur & a fairtrade proponent passionate about sustainable development. He spent more than 21 years in the field of IT before launching Ethiqana - a social enterprise focused on preserving earth friendly, nearly extinct crafts through sustainable livelihoods. Arshad was featured in the Social Entrepreneur Index 2022 and will also be speaking at the BAFTS Conference in Birmingham later this year.
Links:
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Ethiqana - https://www.ethiqana.com
Ebay for Change - https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/eBay-for-Change/bn_7117727277
For Ethiqana social media search on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Linkedin using @ethiqana
sustainability #ethiqana #meetyourmakers #fairtrade #fairtradegifts #heritagegifts #artisanalgifts #woodentoys #handmadetoys #handmadecards #tradejustice #socialenterprise #ethicalbusiness
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.
Please rate and follow this podcast on your preferred platform - this means that more people will get to hear about us!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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/
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://mkgandhi.org/
mahatmagandhi #gandhi #khadi #nationaltheatre #sustainablefashion #regenerative #fairtrade #naturalfabric #handwoven #organiccotton
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
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
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
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
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:
-
Is It Really Green: Everyday Eco Dilemmas Answered
-
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
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
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
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
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/
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
Usually when we consider being green, we think of reducing our consumption. However as we do more and more online - attending meetings, watching videos, digital marketing and more - we are actually growing our consumption of data!
Data is unseen but we are using it at quite a rate and this has a big impact on the environment.
In this episode our podcast host Jo Salter, founder of ethical textiles business Where Does It Come From?, talks with Vic Stevens. Vic and partner Jez founded Make Hay Ethical Web Design and Green Hosting 17 years ago to offer a greener alternative to website development and web hosting. Vic is passionate about raising awareness and helping people reduce the environmental impact of their online lives.
Make Hay Web Design - https://www.makehay.co.uk/
Green Hosting - https://www.green-hosting.co.uk/
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Most of us do want to live greener, healthier lives but sometimes it just takes a little nudge.
Civic Dollars works in partnership with local councils and businesses to incentivise citizens to get out into parks and local spaces - with rewards such as vouchers or discounts. Yes it really is as simple as a walk in the park!
In this episode Jo Salter, Where Does It Come From? podcast host and founder of the ethical clothing brand of the same name, talks with Stephen McPeake. Stephen is CEO & Founder of Civic Dollars, a health based community currency that is being used to improve public health and wellbeing by incentivising greater use of local open spaces.
Stephen has been working on Smart City technology for the last 9 years and on the theory behind Civic Dollars since 2018. Using research and expertise from universities and corporations on nudge theory and digitising community currencies he has developed a platform that can provide a multi faceted nudge solution to improve public health.
Civic Dollars launched in Belfast in June 2021 and will go live in Leeds, Dublin and other UK cities later in the year.
Find out more at:
Civic Dollars - https://civicdollars.com/
Local media coverage - https://www.ulstertatler.com/2021/07/earning-civic-dollars-is-a-walk-in-the-park/
Here's links to the research from the team at Queen’s University Belfast’s Centre of Excellence for Public Health that Stephen mentions in the discussion -
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-6305-9
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark-Tully/publication/267784802_The_Physical_Activity_Loyalty_Card_Scheme_Development_and_Application_of_a_Novel_System_for_Incentivizing_Behaviour_Change/links/54b7f49e0cf28faced60fbef/The-Physical-Activity-Loyalty-Card-Scheme-Development-and-Application-of-a-Novel-System-for-Incentivizing-Behaviour-Change.pdf
https://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/CentreofExcellenceforPublicHealthNorthernIreland/Research/PhysicalActivityResearch/ThePALStudy/
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk/
The recent IPCC report has made it clear that we need to move away from using fossil fuels and reduce our emissions of harmful greenhouse gases.
Changing the way we source and use our energy - used for our transport, running our homes and more - can make a huge impact.
In this episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast host Jo Salter talks to John Taylor, green energy specialist and currently energy projects manager at the Greater South East Energy Hub in the UK.
John says 'It is entirely possible for us to turn this around and actually end up with a way of life that's better - this isn't as good as it gets'.
Links mentioned during the discussion:
World Wildlife Fund carbon management tool https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/
The People vs Climate Change - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p097sbzc/the-people-vs-climate-change
The Climate Change Committee - https://www.theccc.org.uk/
Ripple Energy co-operative - https://rippleenergy.com/
Where Does It Come From? - www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
We all know that reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is key to tackling the climate emergency. Electric Vehicles are often put forward as a solution, with technology and infrastructure improving rapidly.
However making the switch to an electric vehicle can seem a large leap - requiring change in behaviour and a learning curve, as well as concerns about costs, battery life and charging stations.
So what are the actual barriers and how can we find out which electric vehicle would work best for us?
In this episode Where Does It Come From?'s Jo Salter talks to Rebecca Hansen, director of TryWyre, a online tool designed to help people find and purchase the right electric vehicle for them. A life long environmentalist, Rebecca has over 20 years experience of delivering mission critical projects for large companies and government organizations.
TryWyre - www.trywyre.com
Where Does It Come From? - www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
The fashion industry is one of the most harmful, both to the people involved and to the planet.
So how do we harness fashion for good?
In this episode Jo Salter, founder of ethical clothing and textiles business Where Does It Come From? interviews Paola Masperi of Mayamiko.
Paola Masperi set up Mayamiko Trust in 2008 as a social enterprise to create livelihoods and skills for people in Malawi. She then launched the Mayamiko fashion brand in 2015. Mayamiko hit the headlines in 2019 when Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex wore one of their beautiful dresses on her African tour.
Jo and Paola worked together in 2018/19 on Where Does It Come From?'s African Tunics and Accessories collection.
Mayamiko Brand - https://mayamiko.com/
Mayamiko Trust - https://www.mayamiko.org/
Where Does It Come From? African project (with video) - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk/transparent-supply-chain-in-africa/
Where Does It Come From? African Tunic - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk/product/african-tunics/
One of the big challenges with 'stuff' is knowing whether the people involved in creating our products are being paid and treated fairly.
Improvements in supply chain transparency are bringing to light abuses such as unsafe working conditions, slave wages and other unacceptable practices. Many consumers are now seeking reassurance that what they buy isn't harming other people.
This podcast episode is a discussion between Jo Salter. founder of fair trade textile brand Where Does It Come From? and Laura Cave. Laura has a long term commitment to fair trade with over 20 years experience of working co-creatively with artisan craft makers in emerging economies.
She is the founder and director of Just Trade, a fair trade jewellery brand, and was Chair of BAFTS Fair Trade Network UK from May 2018 - May 2021. She remains as a committee member.
Just Trade supply over 300 retail outlets in the UK and internationally, including independent boutiques and leading Museums and Galleries.
BAFTS is a membership network of independent shops and suppliers dedicated to partnering with disadvantaged producer groups in order to provide long-term market access for their work.
Find out more at:
Where Does It Come From? - wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Just Trade - justtrade.co.uk
BAFTS - bafts.org.uk
This episode of the Where Does It Come From? podcast focuses on what happens to our 'stuff' when we've finished with it.
Jason Alexander, Wildlife Gadgetman and founder of Rubbish Walks CIC talks about his litter picking and campaigning role. He also tells us about some of the more unusual rubbish he has collected and his plans to encourage more and more people to think about what happens to their stuff and to protect our planet with their litter picking powers.
Rubbish Walks - https://rubbishwalks.co.uk/
Wildlife Gadget Man - https://wildlifegadgetman.com/
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Do you feel powerless to make a difference?
Does the idea of living more sustainably just fill you with overwhelm?
Does everyone else seem to be much better at it than you?
You are not alone!
Author and Campaigner Jen Gale joins host Jo Salter on the Where Does It Come From? podcast to discuss how we can all make small changes, lose the anxiety and feel proud of what we do.
Let's all be sustainable(ish)!
Sustainableish - https://www.asustainablelife.co.uk/
Where Does It Come From? - https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk
Did you know that chemicals are routinely added to our clothing and other textiles?
Most of these chemicals - synthetic or otherwise - are not harmful but just a few could be, so how are they monitored and who is checking?
In this episode we hear from textile researcher Peter Gorse about some of the chemicals and processes used in textile production and how we can find out more about them.
We know that marketing techniques are used to 'persuade' us to buy stuff we don't really need. More recently, as we've become more eco aware, brands are tripping over themselves to persuade us that they are green, a strategy known as 'green washing'.
In this episode our host Jo Salter interviews Sian Conway-Wood, a marketing strategist and author, who explains more and gives us some tips on how to uncover some of the key strategies that are persuading us to part with our money.
In this first episode of the Where Does It Come From? website, host Jo Salter interviews Indian social entrepreneur Shailini Sheth Amin. Shailini set up Moralfibre Fabrics in Gujarat India to support local artisans in creating ethical, sustainable fabrics and products - the far end of a transparent supply chain. Discussion covers the effects of the current pandemic in India, as well as positive hopes for the future as people become more connected with nature and community.