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

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 doe...

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 e...

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 Aga...

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 Peb...

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...

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 tha...

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 1...

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 Maga...

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 singl...

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...

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 founde...

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 current...

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....

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.  Sh...

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 episod...

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 thei...

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 sustainabl...

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 t...

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...