ETHOS
I aim to help people reduce their environmental impact by making it easy to find plastic-free and palm oil-free products, and to encourage them by spreading climate optimism. I strive to run my businesses as sustainably as possible and to embed social benefit into my work-life.
Minimising environmental impact
I run my businesses from home and use integrated communications to minimise travel. Necessary journeys are made using public transport whenever possible; when I need to drive it's in a compact hybrid car. My home is powered by a 3.92kW solar PV installation which is more than sufficient to run my business machines during daylight hours; I buy renewable energy from Bulb. I plan to invest in battery storage in future. I use a Fairphone.
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Data storage and back-office services are all cloud-based. I print as little as possible and use a Kyocera M5526cdw cartridge-free multi-function printer which also enables documents to be scanned to file or email. Products are shipped in recycled and/or recycled packaging.
Maximising social benefit
I set aside time for pro-bono work with a focus on the environment, community and the arts. Current voluntary posts include:
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Deputy Chair of Connect Reading, the business community partnership for Reading
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Board member of the Reading Climate Change Partnership
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Volunteer chaperone for Starmaker Theatre Company
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We also keep bees which produce urban honey.