Fifty Shades of Green

This weeks episode is an interview with Emma from Handmade Hippo.  Emma started out by making her own dribble bibs and has now expanded into a range of handmade products. You'll hear us talk about where Emma sits on the sustainability spectrum, how changes can be made slowly swapping out just one thing a month, how crisp bags will forever be the thing we just can't let go of and what changes her and her young family have made over the years. We also chat about her unique way of up-cycling items of precious clothing  left by lost loved ones and grown babies by way of holding onto special memories and saving them from landfillFrom Liberty print crowns, to tea towels and funky wooden pins Emma's shop has a whole array of handmade loveliness that make sustainable gifts and household must haves

Well I may have some shockers for you this week. I decided to have a look at what everyday items contain plastic and I have to say, a couple of them really shocked me so I felt it only fair that I give you the lowdown on hidden plastics so that you can chose to continue to use, swap out for eco variants so eradicate them from your life altogether.I’d love to hear any recommendations if you’ve found some eco swaps to any of these products so please do give me the heads up, we’re all in it together after all.

Let’s talk about our energy, not ‘our’ energy but the energy we use around our home and how we can become more sustainable with minimal fuss.I talk about my transition over to a renewable energy supplier, how I use minimal energy on my daily coffees, why ditching the tumble dryer may free up another laborious (and high energy) chore, what we have instead of a kettle, and how I can stop my husband from using the microwave to reheat his drinks (that was an in the moment idea).

It’s pretty fair to say that I’m not a huge ‘public’ eco-activist and I’m here to remind you that you don’t have to be a public eco-activist to still be an eco-activist, and to tell you that however much eco-action you’re taking it’s ok.In this epidote I share about my fragile mental health right now and why I’m not emotionally available to take on all the eco fights.  I consider myself a silent activist, if you’re wondering how silent activism can still support sustainability this is the episode for you.I talk about how you can also be (and probably already are) a silent activist in a way that is comfortable to you are, and in a way that keeps your emotions steady. It’s ok to not watch all the climate change documentaries, it’s ok to not rally the troops and it’s ok to not be the one to take down the masses.Find your place in the eco-active world and make peace with the work that you do, because I am sure, what you’re doing is enough.

Today was a long day but I just had to come on and chat to you about big brands bringing out sustainable products alongside their non-eco products, and why it’s so important that we as consumers need to be really savvy with where we invest our hard earned cash when we’re shopping The power is in our purse and many of the big brands know that and are trying to pull the wool over our eyes, but we’re not buying it right? We need to consider their contradictions and choose to shop with brands that aren’t treating us as fools, brands that are fully transparent with their passion for sustainability We need to stay one step ahead of the game and spot the greenwashing, meaning we are fully aware of what ‘machine’ our money is being invested in so that our good eco product choice doesn’t get undone by half the cost financing non-eco productsListen to the episode to find out what brand and what products I’m talking about that have got me hitting my head against a wall 

In this episode I answer all those questions you may have around reusable period pads.  If reusable period products are a new concept to you, and the idea freaks you out a little bit, no shame, it’s a pretty weird idea if you’ve not tried it before BUT I am here for you, I’m answering all the questions that you may not have even been able to put into wordsQuestions from ‘Why would I swap to reusable pads’ to ‘will I leak out of them’. This is a great episode for anyone curious about period pads and looking to find out more but were too scared (or embarrassed) to ask.If you have any other questions after listening to this episode then please do drop me an email on hello@wearemout.co.uk or a DM over on Instagram, you’ll find me under @wearemoutpads.Reference website I mention on the episode; https://www.womensvoices.org/menstrual-care-products/ See all our reviews on Trustpilot here; https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/wearemout.co.uk

Bunmi is founder of  It's All About You an online and physical store selling all things sustainable. Their products range from cotton buds to Easter eggs (get yourself stocked up ahead of time), from yoga mats to sunglasses, the range really is everything you’d need for sustainable living In our chat we talk about how Bunmi found herself in a time-pressured position aged 25 where she felt she wanted to leave her corporate job, and venture into the eco world (she had quite the wake up call). We talk about how it’s ok to ‘dance’ your way into a greener way of life with one step forward and 2 steps back, and why nobody should have glass refills bottles in their bathroom (even though they look very Insta friendly), instead favouring Amber PET bottles (up to 100% of a PET package can be made from recycled PET, and the material can be recycled again and again)Bunmi confessed to being a 7 out of 10 on the eco spectrum but still only considers herself an 'eco-curious’, proving that there will always be new and exciting stuff to learn in the eco world. She’s a shining example of staying open, making changes where you can, and making peace with the changes you’re just not quite ready to make If you live in or around Dronfield, Sheffield you can just click and collect from It’s all about you’s refill shopWebsite: https://itsallaboutyou.co.uk Lauren Derrett is the founder of Wear 'em Out pads, a new way to period. You can discover the reusable period pad that’s good for you, good for the planet and good for your purse.Website: www.wearemout.co.ukInstagram: wearemoutpadsFacebook: Wear 'em Out

Todays episode is a solo one from me, I wanted to dip further into the problem with Fast Fashion look at why it’s such a huge contributor to the Climate Change crisis. Did you know that Fast Fashion contributes to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions? For perspective, flying and shipping equate to 2-4%.  I certainly didn’t know how bad fast fashion was to our planet, I mean, I had an idea that it was bad, but not that bad.So, by way of empowering myself I’ve dug a bit deeper into why it’s so damaging and what we can do about becoming the solution rather than the problem, and wanted to share my findings with you.I chat about what we should know, how we can address our personal contribution, and why even if each one person, buys one less thing it will send a strong message to the retailers.Lauren Derrett is the founder of Wear 'em Out pads, a new way to period. You can discover the reusable period pad that’s good for you, good for the planet and good for your purse.Website: www.wearemout.co.ukInstagram: wearemoutpadsFacebook: Wear 'em Out

In this episode I’m really excited to chat to Jen Gale. Jen is a font of all knowledge in the Sustainable(ish) world, having written two books on the topic The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide and her new book The Sustainablie(ish) Living Guide to Green Parenting Jen is clear on the idea that something is better than nothing and that we are all waling our own eco path in our own time.Jen’s website hosts the home of 'easy, everyday sustainability for the #imperfectlygreen' and her membership Knackered Mums Eco Club is gaining huge momentum with people who are in search of a non-judgemental and welcoming space to explore their eco options Jen comfortably educates and empowers people to become more conscious around their sustainability, while openly sharing on the podcast the areas in her life where she isn’t so eco driven and how she feels about thatWebsite:  https://www.asustainablelife.co.ukLauren Derrett is the founder of Wear 'em Out pads, a new way to period. You can discover the reusable period pad that’s good for you, good for the planet and good for your purse.Website: www.wearemout.co.ukInstagram: wearemoutpadsFacebook: Wear 'em Out

In todays episode I’m chatting with celebrity & TV makeup artist and founder of Beauty Reorganised, Anna Thompson.  Anna chats about how she has created a completely zero waste, ecological, circular, non-toxic and 100% renewable energy sustainable organiser caddy.  Down to the glue and the chemical-free ink on the packaging, Beauty Reorganised proudly boast that there is No ‘greenwashing’ with their products.  Alongside raising a family and running the business Anna is also consciously and curiously finding her own ways to live a more sustainable lifeWebsite: https://www.beautyreorganised.com

Jools Oliver is a mum of 5, the face behind the brand Little Bird and married to some guy who's good in the kitchen. In this episode I chat to Jools about where she sits on the eco spectrum, how she finds the time to make sustainable switches whilst running a business and a family, and the influence she hopes to have on her kids meaning they choose to live their lives in a sustainable way.Lauren Derrett is the founder of Wear 'em Out pads, a new way to period. You can discover the reusable period pad that’s good for you, good for the planet and good for your purse.Website: www.wearemout.co.ukInstagram: wearemoutpadsFacebook: Wear 'em Out

In this trailer episode Lauren introduces you to what she hopes to achieve with this podcast.  From green washing to premium products causing confusion to finding the right balance for you personally. This is an honest account from a no judgement zone bringing tips about how to offset and speaking to guests about how they are finding their way through the sustainability and eco journey.Lauren Derrett is the founder of Wear 'em Out pads, a new way to period. You can discover the reusable period pad that’s good for you, good for the planet and good for your purse.Website: www.wearemout.co.ukInstagram: wearemoutpadsFacebook: Wear 'em Out