Switch

Today we talk about building sustainability into your business, with special guests Adam Doffman and Zac Huddart from Lola’s Cupcakes. Lola's is iconic in London and UK-wide for their fresh, handcrafted and delicious cakes. Lola's didn’t start out with sustainability at its core, but is now doing a lot of work in this area. It is a great example of a company pivoting its operations to be more sustainable, despite it being challenging to do so. Other companies could draw inspiration from this, which made us want to get them on the podcast even more!We discuss how an established business begins switching to a more sustainable model. Where do you start? And what brought about the shift? We also ask Adam and Zac for their view on working for a values-led company like Lola's, for those who might be looking to gain a similar experience.Check out Lola's sister company Next Day Solar, as mentioned in the episode. Next Day Solar is making solar power accessible to everyone who wants to play a part in creating a better future.Tell us what you think about the episode or the topics covered at podcastswitch.com or @podcastswitch.

Today we discuss physical activity and the links it has to social impact. We start by discussing the intersection of yoga, yoga philosophy and social impact, as there are links there which Lydia, as a yoga teacher, has come to realise through her training. We then move to other ways in which physical activity and sports can have socially positive effects.A couple of links to initiatives we mention in the episode:GoodGym - Helping the community while getting a workoutFight for Peace - Combines boxing and martial arts with personal development and education for kid. Teaching peaceful, fun conflict without the need for violence.Equality - LGBTQ+ sports leagues and clubs around the world are a demonstration of the socially-connecting and educational power of sports, for example Queer Surf Club.You can  try a gym powered by human energy - Terra Hale in London runs the lights and speakers on pedal power - one class generates enough energy to supply a computer for a day.Tell us what you think at podcastswitch.com or @podcastswitch.

Today we haven’t chosen an easy topic, but it's an extremely vital one: Mental Health. We are grateful that this topic is not new, as over the past few years mental health is slowly coming into the everyday conversation (from workplaces addressing it, to parents and children communicating about it more, to governments increasing funding in it). However, we want to use this platform to expand the dialogue and also dive into how mental health is fundamental to achieving the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs) and how it intersects with sustainability as a whole.On today’s episode we will discuss:A quick refresher on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)Connections between mental health and the SDGsHow mental health is essential in achieving the SDGs and vice versaCheck out the SDGs at https://sdgs.un.org/goals. Tell us what you think at podcastswitch.com or @podcastswitch.

We've talked on the show about spending power and the impact that buying more sustainable products can have on the planet and society. However, what about the impact of our 'wealth', i.e. the money we hold in bank accounts, investments, pensions, etc? Our wealth has a significant impact on carbon emissions, for example. You can create 27 times more impact on carbon emissions/climate change through your savings/investments than you can by cutting out meat from your diet and stopping flying COMBINED!!!?And since 68% of UK savers want their investments to consider people and planet alongside profit, in this episode we break down how wealth can have a negative impact, why it matters and how to switch it up and use your wealth for social good as much as possible.Check out https://makemymoneymatter.co.uk/ - a movement to ensure the money invested in UK pensions is used to build a better world.If you’re looking to change who you bank with, I recommend using the UK Government’s Current Account Switch Service. Bronwyn King TED talk - Oncologist talks about pension: https://www.ted.com/talks/bronwyn_king_you_may_be_accidentally_investing_in_cigarette_companies#t-35173 ShareAction: A charity working towards an investment system that truly serves savers and communities, and protects our environment for the long term.  https://shareaction.org/A great blog outlining comparisons between different banks, with our former podcast guest Besma Whayeb: https://www.curiouslyconscious.com/2020/02/best-ethical-banks-current-accounts-uk.html/PLEASE NOTE: Ashna and Lydia are not financial advisors. They do not have any professional or academic training in finance or investments. All of the content of the episode is based on their own amateur research, opinion and personal experience.--What is Switch?The reason we started Switch is because we want sustainable living to be mainstream. The podcast acts as a small piece in the puzzle towards this goal by opening up the conversation on sustainability, helping people to feel more positive, empowered and effective in how they can improve the planet and society.Say hello at www.podcastswitch.com or follow us on social media @podcastswitch.--

The reason we started Switch is that we want sustainable living to be mainstream. The podcast acts as a small piece in the puzzle towards this goal by opening up the conversation on sustainability, helping people to feel more positive, empowered and effective in how they can improve the planet and society.One key thing we haven’t actually touched on much though is how we can all open up a conversation at home, with our loved ones, friends, at school, work, and so on. It’s not just about being empowered with knowledge if you want to make change, it’s also about having the confidence and permission to speak honestly with those around you.So, in this episode, we unpack our own challenges on this issue and discuss things we think are helpful when you want to discuss your values on sustainability or anything else in a constructive way. Tell us what you think/let us know your tips at podcastswitch.com or @podcastswitch.

Welcome back to Switch Podcast. This new season we are exploring our core foundations and how sustainability intersects with them. In season 1 & 2 we put a spotlight on some of our biggest environmental challenges such as plastic waste, food systems, fast fashion; and brought in guests who were doing some pretty cool things to tackle these. This season we will be looking into more conceptual topics and diving a bit deeper as we talk about things like relationships, careers, communities, and how we can push for a more sustainable/ holistic way of living. This weeks topic is all about careers and how to get the job that is aligned to your values.Areas to explore:Our career paths and what drove us to make the decision we didThe passion vs. income dilemma Privileges associated with the above dilemma Why now could be a good timeTell us what you think/let us know your tips at podcastswitch.com or @podcastswitch.

This week we’re joined by Sarah from TALA, which makes sustainable active/casual-wear that is super stylish! We’re actually in love with this brand…They are inclusive. Their collections are for every body, designed to make everyone feel comfortable and empowered with high-performance designs and flattering fits. And we think their instagram reflects this - it feels like it’s celebrating everyone of all ethnicities, sizes and abilities.They are also sustainable, with all their products made with recycled or upcycled materials. Their packaging is also recycled and recyclable, and the tags are made from 100% plantable paper.They are also affordable, transparent about every aspect of their supply chain and the sustainability of each item, and they are constantly researching and trialling the best in sustainable materials.

Right now, it feels like marginalised groups across the globe are demanding respect, justice and equal rights and are finally being heard - from the Black Lives Matter movement to trans-gender rights activism. People will not stand oppression by patriarchal power structures any longer. But in among this fight, are some voices not being heard? Patriarchal dominance, which presupposes masculine attributes are more valuable than any others, has led to the marginalisation women, children, queer people, and people of colour. But interestingly, there is another 'group' adversely affected... Nature. The degradation of nature (land and animals) and most environmental issues are a result of generations of patriarchal aggression and domination toward the environment - treating it as a commodity to be controlled and consumed.Ecofeminism is an ideology and movement that sees climate change, gender equality, and social injustice more broadly as intrinsically related issues, all tied to masculine dominance in society.How interesting. We had never realised that the environmental fight is so closely linked to other social injustices, and by helping one we are helping the others. We dissect what ecofeminism is, our views towards it and what we can do to help.Enjoy x

Hello! Welcome to the first in a series of collaborative episodes with Switch and The Wise Consumer. Madeleine (AKA The Wise Consumer) uses her podcast to sit down and chat with entrepreneurs from all walks of life whose mission it is to use their businesses as forces for good. A woman after our own hearts!In our first collab episode, we discuss how we - meaning both ourselves and wider society - can come together to make the world a better place. In particular, we discuss the urgent need for compassion, understanding and trying to be better in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s important for us to come together more than ever. We talk about what we are learning and reflecting on, how we can move forward together and what actions we can take to help become better allies. We hope you enjoy this episode. We aren't perfect but we are learning, growing and coming together with our voices and actions.Check out The Wise Consumer at: https://thewiseconsumer.com/

How do you get a whole industry to change its practices?This week we’re so excited to be joined by Kerry Bannigan, Founder of the Conscious Fashion Campaign which engages global fashion industry events - e.g. trade shows, fashion weeks, conferences - to commit to the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.The Conscious Fashion Campaign increases awareness and inspires action in fashion companies en masse by targeting big industry events (with a captive audience!). By working with the event organisers and initiatives, sustainability principles are embedded throughout the events’ marketing, operations and logistics. This, in turn, puts out the message to the fashion industry involved that sustainability is important, educates them in why, and encourages them to form partnerships committed to taking action at scale. Fashion is an influential sector, the global industry being worth 3 trillion dollars, so if it gets behind the SDGs it has a big impact.Today we talk firstly about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and how they translate into the fashion industry. Second, we discuss what it takes to influence a whole industry. Website: www.consciousfashioncampaign.com Facebook: @consciousfashioncampaign Twitter: @consciousfashInstagram: @consciousfashioncampaign #SDGFashion

This episode we’re joined by Laura Winningham, CEO of City Harvest London. City Harvest puts surplus food to good use in a sustainable way. While thousands of Londoners go hungry each day, safe, healthy, usable food is being disposed of. City Harvest collects this from all segments of the food industry and delivers it to 300 organisations that provide meals to vulnerable people. These include homeless shelters, soup kitchens, childrens' programs, centres for the elderly, and refuges for women experiencing domestic violence.This is good for society and the planet in several ways! It saves the services’ money, freeing up funds for vital services. It saves restaurants money. And it diverts food from landfill where it would release greenhouse gases. With Laura, we learn more about the issues of food poverty and food surplus. We also find out how City Harvest is continuing to operate on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic. What is the impact of this crisis on the needs of people? What is the impact on food surplus? What is the impact on operations for City Harvest?Check out and support at: www.cityharvest.org.uk@cityharvestlondonRefillable deodorant mentioned: www.wearewild.com

Today we are with The Food Waste Project, which is a consultancy service dedicated to advising the hospitality sector with a particular focus on corporate offices, on food waste prevention and reduction strategies.We have spoken endlessly about food waste both from the consumer side and business side. Other episodes: Olio, Toast Ale, Oddbox, and Too Good To GoThe Food Waste project is a B2B company helping businesses find Food Waste solutions by consulting them on their journey. They focus on helping people reduce food waste in office spaces, which is an area that can easily be forgotten about. Today we really wanted to discuss a) the impact of COVID on a start-up and b) how food waste will be impacted when we reach a new normal

Another brilliant international friend of ours, based in Sweden, A Good Company creates elegant, thoughtful and sustainable everyday products - from stationery to personal care items. Simple and beautiful!They don’t take shortcuts, thinking about every step in the journey of their products, from how they’re made to how they are transported.We could go on about how much we love AGC’s products, but that’s not only what we’re here to talk about. We want to get Anders’ view on being good in a ‘bad’ world. AGC recently published a report which reviewed the Fortune 500 strategic goals. Looking for climate-related objectives, they found only 6% of these companies’ strategic goals sought to address climate change, distributed across 89 of the 500 companies.Why is this so, even after all the increased awareness about climate change in recent years? What are the implications of these companies undervaluing the planet? And how does Anders think this will all change as a result of COVID-19?Check out A Good Company at agood.com *EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT* A Good Company is offering Switch listeners an exclusive discount code for 20% off your first order! Use code SWITCH2020 - enjoy!

This week we’re joined by Sarah Divall from Hubbub, a foundation helping provide inspiration and practical actions that are good for you and the environment. They believe that to create positive environmental change at the scale and speed needed, we need to get everyone on board. So they design campaigns that inspire ways of living that are good for the environment. They disrupt the status quo to raise awareness, nudge behaviours and shape systems. We do this with knowledge and playfulness, and won’t make you feel bad. That really resonates with us here at Switch! Like us, they address things we’re all passionate about and are relevant day-to-day, like fashion, food, the homes we live in and the spaces around us. They offer practical and realistic solutions that help cut waste, make clothes last longer, save money and create cleaner spaces to live and work in, and more often than not bring people together. Today we want to talk about ‘change’. Change that we are forced to face during COVID-19- but understanding how we can sustain these changes There are some interesting comparisons to make between change in our current situation and change when things are ‘normal’. What motivates it? Can we change without being forced to by a lockdown? As experts in change, what can we learn from Hubbub about what generates positive and sustained change? And how do we deal with change when it’s thrust upon us?FUN FACTS:A new survey by YouGov found that 42% of Brits said they valued food more than they did before the crisis, with one in 10 sharing activities such as shopping with a neighbour for the first timeA third of people are now throwing away less food and 38% say they are cooking more from scratch. A smaller proportion (6%) said they had tried a vegetable box or ordered food from an online service for the very first timeAs the lockdown brings less air pollution, more wildlife, quieter streets and a slower pace of life, one of the poll’s most startling findings is that 85% of people want to see at least some of the personal or social changes continue. Just 9% want a complete return to normal after the crisis

In our 40th episode we are super egg-cited to bring you a light-hearted conversation focused on Easter. Sadly, we're still not with each other due to the Coronavirus lockdown here in the UK, but that’s the beauty of podcasts - we can do them online if we need to! During this time, we want to keep on with our mission to open up the conversation on sustainability, and provide useful content that will help keep you motivated and offer some light relief. As we all know, Easter is coming up, and as it may be slightly different for us all this year, in this episode we see how we can still enjoy it in a sustainable and safe way. We keep this episode kind of simple and fun, providing some ideas you can easily adopt with the things you have around your house. Hope you enjoy this episode. Let us know if you would like us to explore a particular topic - we're all ears.Lots of love. Stay safe x

This week, as we figure out our new 'normal', we ask ourselves whether and how sustainability can still feature in daily life. Can we ensure things continue to move in a positive direction rather than a destructive one? In what ways can we support sustainability, even at a time like this? We break it down.We look at a few levels at which we can make a positive difference - individually, across your community and system-wide.We also just want to check in with each other and with you guys, as most of us are in a lockdown situation right now. What are we finding difficult? What isn’t as bad as we thought?We hope you enjoy. Lots of reasons and ways to keep onward with your sustainability journey :) Lots of love and positive vibes your way! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️P.S. Let us know what else you'd like us to cover during this time to keep you entertained and feeling good

Amidst the current crisis of COVID-19, we are dealing with new challenges we haven't really faced before. Lock-downs, washing hands for 'happy birthday x 2', stockpiling toilet paper, business uncertainties, and so on. We don’t want this episode to be another conversation about how terrible this virus is for us, the economy, our health and wellbeing, etc. We do, however, want to have a conversation about what we can learn coming out on the other side as a society.⁠Sometimes it takes a crisis to precipitate change. However terrible this virus is, perhaps it will lead to some positive shifts in how society operates. For example, workers are now taking more meetings online rather than travelling. Could this lead to a longer-term shift in working culture where less travelling becomes the norm, and which is ultimately better for the environment? ⁠We are not trying to be insensitive to those affected by the virus but, again, we want to explore how we can shift positively as a society when we are on the other side.We hope you enjoy listening, and if you have any comments or experiences you'd like to share, please do message us at hello@podcastswitch.com or on Instagram @podcastswitch.Most importantly, please stay safe and healthy.Hope this episode helps boost the mood even a little.

We are joined by wonderful guests Tash and Laura today, founders of Gather. Gather is a zero waste store and ‘refillery’, here to make it easy for you to live a life of less waste. They work to help the world know that living sustainably can be easy (and even fun - we can attest to this!).Gather is one of an increasing number of ‘refilleries’ starting up in the UK (and the world) - a place to ‘gather’ your necessities, from food to cleaning products to toiletries. It’s genius! And a fun experience. Gather is also a sustainability hub - a place to gather together, learn and help each other to live more sustainably. Again, genius. But why? Why reduce and reuse? And why build a community? Well, making small, everyday changes really can make a difference. A family of four switching to reusable water bottles would save 27 gallons of oil per year. Refilling your own containers at a bulk food store means less single-use packaging in the supply chain. And it’ll save you money! Also, we love the concept of building a ‘hub’ because sometimes we need support, shared learning, tips and encouragement to keep trying, and to know other people are in it with us, too. Together we can send a message to governments and big businesses, who in turn can nudge entire communities into doing things differently.Learn about Gather at: https://www.wearegather.uk/our-storyOr go visit their shop in Peckham121 Bellenden RoadPeckhamSE15 4QY

Today we are recording from the Too Good To Go UK office with co-founder Jamie Crummie. Too Good To Go, for those of you who don’t know, is an app connecting users to surplus delicious food from bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels and more. Too Good To Go is rescuing 1 meal every second - so by the end of this podcast they would have saved roughly 2,700 meals from the bin. That is achieved by 14 countries across Europe, and over 19 million users! Rather than talking about all of the facts and figures of food waste, and getting to brag about TGTG (which we would love to do!) we want to talk to Jamie about how equally important education is on the matter of food waste. TGTG has a strong mission statement, but is backed by a whole team dedicated to tackling food waste through its four pillars: households, businesses, schools, and public affairs.We want to understand how important it is for businesses to build supporting their mission into their DNA - and also understand how education can lead to long-term success with respect to a cause.

Today we’re joined by Amirah Jiwa, a Social Impact Strategist. She helps brands create and communicate impact. She is excited by products and experiences that deliver and inspire positive change - for consumers, producers, employees, the environment, and society at large. Amirah has experience working with a number of different companies about what makes them have a positive impact, and how they communicate that. So we want to discuss with her the idea of ‘greenwashing’, and how you can identify this versus real social impact. Also, how can brands that don’t have a positive impact take a stab at pivoting to a model which does some good. This is something we have questioned in previous episodes and would love to get a sense of the reality of what this would involve. https://www.amirahjiwa.com/

Research shows that people increasingly feel the effects of planetary changes and associated ecological losses in their daily lives, and that these changes present significant direct and indirect threats to mental health and well-being. It’s termed ‘ecological grief’.Melting glaciers, coral reef death, wildlife disappearance, landscape alteration, climate change: our environment is transforming rapidly, and many of us are experiencing a sense of profound loss. On this episode we dive into ecological grief and all of the positives to be reminded off when feeling down or hopeless. Again it is all about the small switches that lead to big change!

Today we are back together and joined by Jamie from Social Supermarket. Social Supermarket was created to connect every-day consumers with social enterprises who sell high quality products that tackle important social and environmental challenges. From handbags made from decommissioned fire hoses, soap made by people with visual impairments to relishes made with wonky fruit and veg, there’s something for everyone.They are on a journey to become the most comprehensive marketplace for social enterprise products in the UK. To be the first place that people look for products that change the world for the better. We all want to be conscious about how our day to day purchases have an impact on these issues. Social Supermarket has created a growing marketplace of products that help tackle these issues without compromising on quality.

NEW YEAR, NEW EPISODE. Happy new year, Switch listeners! Looking to have a more sustainable 2020? (Us, too!) We have the episode just for you...This week we cover fashion. We, like many, are suckers for a bargain, and like to dress well (bar those baggy jeans circa 2001). But does it all have to come at a price? We are joined by Ruth MacGilp, ethical fashion enthusiast and expert in fashion and marketing, to understand more.We pick her brains about ethical fashion right now. We break down the main issues and get some practical tips for making your fashion more sustainable, whilst still being able to slay at the party!We hope you enjoy the episode - make sure to pass on to anyone who, well, wears clothes!Let us know what you think and if you have any questions just send them our way. Check out www.ruthmacgilp.com for her latest blogs and news :)

We are super excited to do a holiday special, because it is one of our favourite times of year, but similar to our summer and vacation episodes: Christmas and the holiday season is a time people’s habits change all of their great sustainable practices get left at the door.This episode we want to talk about our weakness’ over Christmas, those areas where we can not be our greenest selves- and talk about some easy wins to help be a little bit more friendly to the planet.Did you know that each year a shocking 74 million minced pies are thrown away and 4.2 million plates of turkey and the trimmings. That is just looking at food waste. We also reflect on some of our lessons learnt this year and highlights from our wonderful guests.Featured brands & companies we discussed on this episode:Atlas & OrtusDameOur Good BrandsToo Good To GoGung HoFair Trade

This week we’re joined by very special guest Mahdi Nazar, who is also Lydia’s boyfriend, to discuss coffee.From the bean, to the milk, to its packaging, the environmental impact of our daily caffeine hit is real. This episode we unpick some of the issues around coffee, telling you what’s what. But have no fear! There are lots of ways to make your fave brew more sustainable. We offer some advice on what to look out for.

Today we have special guest Chloë with us. Chloë is founder of nibs etc, probably the most sustainable granola company in the world. They are fighting food waste, have plastic-free packaging, it’s refined sugar-free, high in fibre… the list is a long one! They make their products from juice pulp, which is usually thrown away, but still very tasty and nutritious. The brand is not only tackling food and plastic waste, it is also redefining how we think about ingredients and well-known products. It fully embraces the fact that brands can be the tool consumers need to reduce their waste and carbon footprint.

This week we have special guest Ben Conard from noissue, the online platform for designing and ordering custom, sustainable packaging for your business or brand. Due to laminated inks and dyes, the majority of tissue paper will end up in landfill sites. For these guys, that’s noissue though, as they use soy-based inks.They believe that sustainable packaging doesn't have to be unattainable for brands. You can be environmentally conscious and responsible while creating a premium product for customers to enjoy.We love sending gifts and purchasing online. A lot of companies need that branded premium option so this is something we are curious to explore.www.noissue.co.uk

Today we have a special guest - Diane van Zwanenberg - who founded Coconut Matter, a beauty brand which aims to enable customers to enjoy healthy and sustainable living. CM creates handcrafted cosmetics and personal care products based on the health benefits of coconuts and CM’s passion for making a positive impact. During her decades of international corporate experiences, Diane consistently challenged the conventional to develop innovative solutions. She created this brand because she believed in sourcing sustainably and designing for minimal waste to build a lifestyle that truly matters. The cosmetics and beauty industry is a hot topic for us because it’s typically used by everyone. Also, we think that, in terms of behavioural change, beauty could actually be a really simple solution - way simpler than changing your commute or what you eat.We recently did an episode on cosmetics and beauty - there are a number of issues we identified with the industry, such as packaging (and the lack of it being recycled), palm oil (in 70% cosmetics), animal testing, water usage, carbon emissions, and more. So we really wanted to dive into this topic with a brand working better in this space.www.coconutmatter.comReach out to us at www.podcastswitch.com or on instagram @podcastswitch

This week is a big one. We’re talking to Cat Rayner from the Fairtrade Foundation.For those of you who don’t know, the Fairtrade Foundation is that certification you typically come across when you buy your bananas or coffee - that iconic sticker on many products (actually around 6,000 of them!). Fairtrade is an organisation dedicated to giving producers, farmers, workers a fair price and ethical conditions for the work they do. Empowerment is at the core of what Fairtade is all about, whether it’s giving those that produce the food we love a say in the matter, setting the standard in the industry or lobbying the government for change. We discuss what it means to be ‘Fairtrade’, and why the topic matters, along with how Fairtrade has really set the path for other important certifications. We also dive into Fairtrade's 25th anniversary celebrations and what the path ahead looks like for them.www.podcastswitch.com Instagram: @podcastswitchwww.fairtrade.org.uk

In our very first episode we talked all about Ethical Fashion, what it means, why care and how we are seeing it make a mark on the red carpet. Today we are with Sophie, founder of Gung Ho. Gung Ho is more than just an ethical fashion brand, its a brand that educates through design and tells a story through every piece. Not only does Gung Ho commit to selling garments that are ethically produced with sustainable materials, but it aims to shed light on a focus area each year impact our planet and people. As always you can reach out to us at www.podcastswitch.com or instagram @podcastswitchTo get in touch with and purchase these amazing pieces go to https://www.gungholondon.com and use discount code SWITCHITUP for 10% off at checkout.

On this week’s episode we have special guest Tessa Clarke, co-founder of OLIO - the food sharing app which connects people to share surplus food. A third of the food we produce globally is thrown away, and households are responsible for over half of all food waste in the UK. The average family throws away £800 worth of food each year. That adds up to £15 billion. £15 billion that is going straight to landfill! Meanwhile 800 million people go to bed hungry every night. That is 1 in 9 people on the planet who are starving or malnourished. OLIO’s vision is for millions of hyper local food sharing networks all around the world. They believe the app can help create a world in which nothing of value goes to waste, and every single person has enough to eat – without destroying our planet in the process.The issue of food waste is one close to our hearts - and home. Even working in the industry that we do, we still find we have a problem with food waste at times. We’re intrigued by the way OLIO and others are using technology and other cool solutions to the problem.Listen to find out more about the food sharing revolution and how you can get involved!Download OLIO at https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/olio/id1008237086Follow OLIO at @olio_ex#sharemorewasteless

On this episode we address working out. Both of us love to sport and staying fit - it’s part of our weekly routine. So we wanted to explore whether there are ways we could apply our sustainability minds to it. We know that exercising (in moderation) is good for your longterm health and wellbeing, but we wanted to continue on the path of understanding and exploring what doing good for you and the planet looks like. How is the health of the planet and our own health intertwined?What are some simple tips and tricks on how we can be more sustainable in our existing workouts? And can you do good and exercise and at the same time?

This week we talk transport. Whether it’s our daily commute, a weekend trip, or travelling abroad, we all depend on transport to get us from A to B. According to WWF’s carbon footprint calculator, travel makes up a whopping 35% of the average person’s environmental footprint. So what can we do to minimise our impact?On today’s episode we want to dive into three things:The issue (with multiple different modes of transport) and relative impact on the environment What industries and governments are doing about itWhat we can do about itListen in for our top practical tips.

Today we have special guest Rich, co-founder of MOJU, with us. MOJU creates performance drinks designed by Mutha Nature. They are powerful, punchy, cold-pressed juices and shots made from natural ingredients. Their ethos revolves around harnessing the power of ‘Mutha Nature’, rather than artificial nasties.Performance drinks and supplements became popular in the 20th century, heavily processed and mostly packed with artificial flavours, preservatives and ‘E numbers’ rather than anything natural. The soft drinks industry as a whole has a pretty high impact - from water toxification, to packaging waste, to how ingredients are sourced.MOJU thinks it’s time for a change. By embracing newer technologies, they are working with natural ingredients and delivering them in the closest possible form to the living plant. We want to understand more about how MOJU is bringing a different perspective to the conversation around sustainability, with their ambition very much focused on giving new people a stake in nature - not just preaching to the converted. This chimes with us because it’s also a reason we started Switch!Head to www.mojudrinks.com to get your exclusive 15% discount now until end of September - just use Switch listeners’ exclusive code ‘switch15’.

This week we are with Emilie Vanpoperinghe, co-founder of Oddbox - a subscription-based wonky fruit and veg box delivery which brings you fresh fruit and veg from around the UK that would have otherwise been wasted. One of our favourite things about getting a box is getting the story that comes with it that tells you why these fruit and veg were rejected by supermarket standards and would’ve otherwise gone to waste (e.g. small clementines that were ‘too tiny’ for a supermarket). We dissect why ‘imperfect’ fruit and veg go to waste and are shocked by the size of the issue. Importantly, we give some solutions and practical tips for you as ever!Check out oddbox.co.uk and get 50% off your first box with discount code SWITCH50Enjoy the episode, and please don’t forget to share, subscribe and review to help us reach as many people as possible. Thank you for listening!

This week we’re talking about all things beauty. The cosmetic industry is worth around $600bn USD globally and has a huge impact on the planet - from the packaging to the use of palm oil, water and animal testing. Even for a small product like lipstick or facial scrub, the impact can be relatively big. We talk about the impacts of cosmetics on the planet and some of our personal challenges with cleaning up our beauty acts. We also explore what beauty brands are doing to tackle their impacts and some ‘quick-wins’ for you to try at home... We even have a CHALLENGE especially for YOU! Switch something up for an alternative for one week and let us know how you get on. Whether it’s recycling your bathroom waste, buying a shampoo bar or something else, we want to know how you go. We also talk about some of your ‘switch on’ and ‘switch off’ moments from the past week. Thank you so much for sharing them with us, we always find it interesting and useful - keep them coming!Don’t forget, please rate, review and subscribe so we can reach as many people as possible to open up the conversation on sustainability.

Today we are with Besma, founder of Ethical Influencers, a digital community doing good. From sustainable storytellers to honest podcasters, ethical fashion instagrammers to zero waste vloggers, EI’s members are collectively working towards a better world. EI supports a diverse range of creators to improve their content, create connections with like-minded brands, and most importantly, get their voices heard. Besma also created her own blog, Curiously Conscious, so she knows all about the blogging and influencing world herself!

On this special episode we answer some of your summer questions from what sunscreen you should use, some swimsuit brands we think are great, and how to plan a fun BBQ. We also want to do this special episode to thank you all for your love and support. Please do continue to share the podcast so we can grow and provide you with more insights and awesome guests. We couldn't thank you enough.xx Lyd & AshSwitch picks discussed:Aethic Sôvée Triple-Filter Ecocompatible Sunscreen SPF 40: £53 for 150ml (however pretty pricey in comparison to all the other suncreens out there) For half the price and also a fan favorite there is Organii Sun milk- also recommended for kids of people with sensitive skin Ren Clean Skincare - a brand which uses all natural materials, is vegan, and packaging is recycled and recyclable.Tide + Seek (recycled plastic)- swimwearGyko (Everything is made under one roof in London by a not-for-profit social enterprise that provides full-time training and day courses for anyone considering a fashion career. The packaging is plastic-free.)- swimwearBatoko: Based on the north-west coast, micro brand Batoko also makes swimwear out of recycled plastic waste. Collections are deliberately kept small to maintain quality and a slower, more planet-friendly pace, so there are just nine fun and colourful designs to choose from. -swimwear

This week we speak to Alex and Franzi, co-founders of Tutaka. With a background in design and the hospitality industry, these two women created Tutaka as a result of being frustrated with how much waste was produced by hotels. Tutaka is a partner for hosts in the hospitality industry dedicated to giving their guests the best experience without harming the planet. It’s a marketplace of carefully curated eco-friendly alternatives to all the products a hotel needs to purchase. But it is also an agency - there to provide strategy and comms support to the hosts trying to do good. We talk about the issue of sustainability in the hospitality industry, how Tutaka is helping tackle it, and also some handy tips on how, as consumers, we can help make our holidays as ecofriendly as possible (without being inconvenient)!What are your challenges when it comes to staying somewhere? What are your simple switches? Let us know

On this week’s episode we speak with Alec Mills, co-founder of the world’s first reusable tampon applicator and biodegradable, chemical-free tampons. 100 billion period products are thrown away every year. Most contain plastic but cannot be reused or recycled. Instead they break into tiny pieces and enter our food chain. Most tampons also contain synthetics treated with chemicals and cotton sprayed with pesticides. Women use 12,000 tampons in a lifetime and the vagina is highly absorbent. You do the maths!Women have been menstruating since time began, yet the industry uses the language of discretion. DAME thinks it’s time to bring periods into the 21st Century and ensure young girls become confident women.

This week, we talk to Mary Lynch, previous senior nutritionist for Jamie Oliver and founder of Onist Food. We met Mary at an event where she spoke about nutrition, sustainable diets, and Onist - her answer to the fad-riddled, often dishonest food industry she’d experienced as a nutritionist.We talk about how eating well can be good for you and the planet - diving into what a sustainable diet is, and also uncovering what we should be feeding our bodies to ensure we are getting the right nutrients.We shed light on how eating nutritious foods can be easy, good for you and the planet, and delicious. We also tap Mary’s knowledge to de-myth the health fads, superfoods and take it back to the basics, making it really simple to navigate.Use your exclusive 20% discount code SWITCH now!

This week we speak to special guest Pete Hemingway of the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) - an organisation that brings together key players in the food service industry (suppliers, restaurants and consumers) to focus on improving the industry's sustainability. The SRA has shifted the industry over the last 10 years, making sustainability an aspiration for every professional kitchen. In previous episode Eating Out, we discussed what it means to be sustainable when dining out, from environmental, social and economic points of view. Today we carry on from that conversation and understand what chefs and consumers are doing around the world to reduce the impact of the food industry, such as with campaigns like #OnePlanetPlate.Unless we reduce the impact of the food industry as a whole, we cannot fix climate change. We hope you enjoy listening as we explore with Pete what this means for diners, producers, chefs and restaurant owners alike.Key links we mentioned in the episode:Sustainable Restaurant AssociationOneplanetplate.org

On this week’s episode we talk to allplants - a UK-based company delivering delicious, plant-based, fresh-frozen meals to your door. allplants makes it incredibly easy for you to switch up your diet sustainably, without compromising on time or flavour. Their mission is to better our planet, by making eating more plants delicious, imaginative and incredibly easy.Why plants?Eating more plants (and fewer animal products) is better for the planet.The highest-emission plant products (by weight) still produce fewer emissions than the lowest-emission animal products.Eating more plants is therefore a great way to fight climate change and restore the planet.It's allplants’ mission to make it easy and exciting for everyone to do this.Better still, all the packaging is 100% recyclable, partly compostable and mostly reusable. And they do all of this without pushing the idea of plant-based eating and its benefits down your throat...Discount Code: SwitchOn20 for 20% off your first order.Head to @allplants or allplants.com to check out all of the amazing plant based foods that you can add to your day to day.

Festival season - we all love it. Lots of fun, lots of music, lots of... mess. From plastics, to glass, to tents, less than a third of this waste is recycled, however, over the last few years many festival organisers have been taking steps to minimise their environmental impact. Even @glastofest made a statement this year by banning single-use plastic bottles. But is it enough? What else can we do as consumers?⠀⠀This episode, we talk to Simon Heppner, one of the people driving the sustainable festival movement. He is a co-founder of ‘Leave Less Mess’ - the UK’s first festival plate deposit return scheme - and @foodmadegood. ⠀⠀Listen for tips on how to make your festival experience more sustainable this year.⠀Don't forget! Please rate, review, subscribe and share to help us reach more people and open up the conversation on sustainability.⠀Sustainable Restaurant Association: thesra.orgUnpackaged: beunpackaged.comLeave Less Mess: leavelessmess.orgShambala Festival: shambalafestival.orgGlastonbury Festival: glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

As holiday season is soon approaching we wanted to address a big question, do people consider sustainability when they go on holiday?Is sustainability something you only consider in your day to day? Do your values you have in your everyday life transpire to when you are on holiday?87% of travelers say they want to travel sustainably (Sustainable Travel Report by Booking.com), however 48% say they never/ rarely manage to.On this episode we discuss the things we look for when planning a holiday such as convenience, location, activities, amenities etc, and how sustainability should be factored into the agenda. We also discuss some easy wins to consider when traveling so that your values aren't compromised when you go on holiday.Rate, review and subscribe to hear more episodes and to keep the conversation going. You can follow us on instragram @podcastswitch or contact us via hello@podcastswitch.com.

What is the power of positivity? By turning sustainability into a solutions-focused, accessible conversation, as opposed to all doom and gloom, what impact is that having on our behaviour changes? This episode, we talk to Maxime Dücker, co-founder of @ourgoodbrands, about how her digital media platform is working to expose the ‘good brands’. We also dive into some of the research on the impact that doing good has on your health, and debunk myths around eco-friendlier options, such as ‘they’re too expensive’, ‘they’re not as good quality’ or ‘they’re not accessible’.Don’t forget! Please rate, review and subscribe to help us reach more people and continue opening up the conversation on sustainability. Join the conversation by following @podcastswitch or emailing hello@podcastswitch.comBetter than Sex® is a registered trademark of Cavill + Co. Download the DoGoodology Book by Hailey Cavill-Jaspers for free at cavill.com.au/dogoodology/ourgoodbrands.comcavill.com.au/dogoodingsmolproducts.com

Firstly, what is activism? It’s the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.Activism isn’t new. But we’ve seen activism, rather than being laughed at, being taken more seriously recently - for example Extinction Rebellion, and Greta Thunberg and her campaign FridaysForFuture are all over the news. Why the change? Why are people listening more now?Please share, rate, review and subscribe to help us on our mission to open up the conversation on sustainability.Follow us @podcastswitch or visit podcastswitch.com

From reusable bottles, bags and cups to bamboo toothbrushes, dental floss and reusable face wipes, A&O has everything you need to make the switch to a more sustainable lifestyle. It’s eco-friendly and ethical essentials for the everyday adventure.On this week's episode we learn all about how A&O built their business from the ground up, from all of their challenges to successes. How can you balance trade-offs when creating a sustainable brand, and how do you make sustainability appeal to every gender? We dive into all of these questions and more with founder of Atlas & Ortus, Evie Calder.Please share, rate, review and subscribe to help us on our mission to open up the conversation on sustainability.Follow us @podcastswitch or visit podcastswitch.comatlasandortus.co.ukDISCOUNT CODE: Use code 'SWITCH15' to get 15% off A&O products at checkout.

In this episode, we address the issue of 'palm oil'. As a controversial ingredient, we want to understand where it comes from, what it is used for, what products contain it and exactly why it's got a bad reputation. Palm oil makes up 35% of the vegetable oil market, but what about it is actually bad, and can we do anything about it?Please share, rate, review and subscribe to help us on our mission to open up the conversation on sustainability.Follow us @podcastswitch or visit podcastswitch.comLinks to some of the organisations and resources we mentioned in the episode:Act for Wildlife: The Palm Oil Challenge (a short video explaining palm oil in a really simple way) - https://youtu.be/K6KOQjimVjAWWF Palm Oil Score Card (to view where your favourite brands rank) - http://palmoilscorecard.panda.org/ Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (aims to transform markets to make sustainable palm oil the norm) - https://rspo.org/

We have Chris with us, Co-Founder of The Cheeky Panda (TCP). TCP is an innovative company offering a sustainable and health conscious tissue alternative. Bamboo tissue is free from harsh chemicals found in regular tissues and saves thousands of trees and animal habitats around the world. Start to end, bamboo uses 65% less carbon than tree tissue.Reach out to Chris and The Cheeky Panda at https://www.thecheekypanda.co.uk/Please share, rate, review and subscribe to help us on our mission to open up the conversation on sustainability! Tell us what you think on Instagram @podcastswitch or by email at hello@podcastswitch.comThanks for listening!www.podcastswitch.com

As a nation, we love to eat out. The eating out sector is set to increase by £5bn between 2018 and 2021. Whether it’s grabbing a sandwich or sushi on our lunch break or meeting friends after work, eating out is part of many people’s lifestyles and adds a fun dimension to their social lives. But as public consciousness about food and plastic waste, less meat, local produce, healthy eating and other stuff increases, it adds in pressure to the recipe and it can be hard to navigate eating out in a sustainable way.Visit the Sustainable Restaurant Association for their sustainable restaurant directory: www.thesra.orgPlease share, rate, review and subscribe to help us on our mission to open up the conversation on sustainability! Tell us what you think on Instagram @podcastswitch or by email at hello@podcastswitch.comThanks for listening!