Climate change is an issue affecting all businesses, with everyone having a responsibility to act and take action. As the world marks International Women’s Day (8th March), here are four female founders who are paving the way for other small businesses to make positive environmental changes within their industry.

Stay Wild , Healthy Nibbles and Tropic are championing long-term sustainability by growing and building greener businesses. Their female leaders want to inspire other small business owners to make simple changes to reduce their carbon footprint and help save the planet.

Stay Wild: Two inspiring female founders challenging fashion industry norms, while putting the planet first

Encouraging customers to send back their old swimwear for recycling is key to building a cleaner, greener business for Natalie Glaze and Zanna Van Dijk, co-founders of fashion brand Stay Wild.

Natalie explains why they started the London-based fashion brand and how sustainability is woven into every element of the brand.

“Both of us are incredibly passionate about protecting our planet and we have been incorporating positive changes into our personal lives for years, but we wanted to do something bigger.

“We saw a gap in the market for exquisite, timeless swimwear which not only flattered all bodies, but could be created in a sustainable way which was kind to the environment.”

Natalie explains how they wanted to create a brand with a purpose and a story to tell, but with “a slower, more conscious ethos” which would reduce the company’s carbon footprint to Net Zero.

“We have made conscious choices at every step of our business to be able to help contribute towards the UK’s goal of Net Zero by 2050. Which is why this year we have launched our new circularity project, to take back people’s old swimwear they can no longer wear from any brand and recycle and repurpose them to keep clothes out of landfill.

“Sustainability is at our core. We don’t do seasons, but take a slow fashion capsule collection model approach and only launched one collection in the first two years compared to an average of 52 collections per year in the industry.

“We take pre-orders to minimise any wastage, utilise deadstock in our collection, make high quality pieces that last longer to encourage buying less but better. We produce our items at a small zero waste factory in London and use a small independent distribution centre with carbon neutral shipping”.

Stay Wild launched in 2019, using sustainable materials and local production, with a small team of ten staff. Zanna says there are simple steps every business can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

“This is a crucial time in our global fight against climate change and we encourage all business owners to factor sustainability into their choices. A great place to start is packaging. Reduce the need for new materials and switch to reusable, recyclable or compostable options and look at offsetting your shipping. We hope to pave the way for more emerging conscious brands and inspire others to think in a more sustainable way.”

Natalie and Zanna are excited at the UK hosting the UN climate change talks in Glasgow this November.

Zanna says: “COP26 is set to be the most significant climate change event since the 2015 Paris Agreement. It is incredibly important that we have it here in the UK, as it provides us with an opportunity to show the world the progress we have made, share resources and information with other nations. Hosting such an event will give the UK motivation to continue being a world leader in fighting climate change”.

International Women’s Day Thoughts:

Zanna says: “For us it is so important that we support each other, celebrate each other's success and achievements, especially other women in business and the wonderful women who follow and support our brand. We want to make sure we support and lift up other brands and business owners, not just today but every day”

For information on Stay Wild visit https://staywildwim.com/

Tropic: Beauty with conscience

Former BBC Apprentice star Susie Ma created Tropic to be a force for good beyond beauty.

She says: “Tropic is inspired by our natural world and our product formulations are powered by some of the most effective botanicals in the world, but they are very susceptible to the consequences of climate change. Which is why I believe that businesses have a responsibility to people and the planet to do more.”

Susie explains why moving to renewable energy sources needs to be at the forefront of reducing emissions.

“The UK is a world leader in emissions reduction, we have some of the best renewable energy sources in the world. It’s been so exciting to see the shift away from fossil fuels, and the fact that Britain didn’t use coal as a nation for two months straight last year is excellent. By hosting COP26, we have a responsibility to ensure renewable energy is at the forefront of climate negotiations.”

The South London-based firm make their skincare and beauty products fresh every day, with a turnover of £75 million last year.

Susie believes that all businesses have a responsibility to the planet and to protect the natural world.

“No company is perfect, but we believe in progression and ensuring that we are doing everything we can to meet the highest standards possible. We hope to inspire and drive change through example.

“We go beyond Net Zero in terms of emissions, since 2018 we’ve double offset all our carbon emissions, removing twice the amount of greenhouse gases that we emit. In 2019 we swapped to renewable energy at our HQ, and we’ve been certified landfill free for two years.

“We’ve implemented eco-friendly schemes our employees can benefit from, such as our cycle initiative. Employees can borrow and use Tropic bicycles to commute to and from our HQ, completely free of charge to reduce individual carbon footprints.”

Susie shares her advice for other businesses starting their green journey.

“Never see environmental initiatives as a burden and instead see how they can benefit company morale. Even if it's a simple energy supplier change. Each switch is a win for your conscience and the planet.”

International Women’s Day Thoughts:

Susie says, “International Women’s Day is an opportunity for us to appreciate women and acknowledge the achievements we can reach together. My grandma and my mother have been my greatest inspiration, without them I wouldn’t be the woman I am today.
“I drew inspiration from my grandma, a medicinal chemist and toxicologist, who taught me that our skin needs feeding nourishing, healthy ingredients just as much as our bodies. Being financially stable and paying a house deposit for my mum when I was just a teenager, was all made possible by selling Tropic products at Greenwich Market.”

Visit https://tropicskincare.com/ to find out more about Tropic.

Sara Roberts: Creating healthy snacks and a healthier planet

Health food boss Sara Roberts was inspired to revolutionise the snacking industry during an all-night visit to her father’s hospital bedside.

Exhausted and hungry, she recalls making a 3am trip to the corridor vending machine, where she was dismayed to find only a selection of crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks.

“A poster next to the machine warned me that ‘diabetes and obesity kills’,” says Sara. “But the machine oﬀered only the usual selection; there were no healthy choices. It was the moment which inspired my own personal wellness journey and my decision to start the business.”

Sara set up Healthy Nibbles in 2015. The Edinburgh-based firm, which describes its products as ‘health food with a conscience’ creates snack boxes with healthy treats including Creative Nature and I Love Snacks. The business is on track to turnover £1.5m in 2021.

Not just content with transforming the health food industry, Sara is now turning her business green and encouraging others like hers to help save the planet.

Sara’s call comes as the UK gears up to host the hugely important United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP26 – in Glasgow this November.

“COP26 is a significant event where countries can present their plan to reduce carbon emissions. It has an opportunity to impact the general public at a local level, demonstrating the importance of Net Zero and actions individuals can take. However, as with an event of this nature, its impact and importance are only quantifiable through the action and results.”

Sara certainly backs words with deeds and explains how Healthy Nibbles is committed to building a sustainable business and how they are working towards Net-Zero goals.

“At Healthy Nibbles we are committed to continuous improvement with sustainability being a key part of what we do. Last year we changed our packaging to be plastic free and it is now produced using 100% recycled materials, which are in turn recyclable. We only use water-based inks and biodegradable labelling and tape.

“We became more mindful of business travel. Due to the pandemic, online solutions have become more acceptable, making this an easier and quicker win, but it is something that will be continuing when restrictions lift.

“Within our supply chain we work with many small producers and assess suppliers' impact and what they are doing in terms of the environment and sustainability.”

While Healthy Nibbles are already making changes to reduce their carbon footprint, Sara wants to inspire others to also join the Race to Zero.

“We are proud of our achievements as a small business. However, we are equally aware that it is only through collaboration, improvements at scale and encouraging others to join the Net Zero journey that true difference will be made.”

Sara has advice for other businesses looking to make small changes with big impacts:

For new businesses, put sustainability and impact at the forefront of the planning process.
Identify quick wins and then review and scale up.
Don’t underestimate guidance, education and support to help you along the way – there are a lot of free, immediately available resources.
Find out what other businesses are doing and learn from them along the way.

International Women’s Day Thoughts:

“As an Ambassador to Women’s Enterprise Scotland I am passionate about creating an entrepreneurial environment where women-led businesses can flourish and grow. Because more women-owned businesses means more money for the economy.

Find out more about Healthy Nibbles - https://www.healthynibbles.co.uk/

Climate Change:

Last year the UK Government laid out plans for a green industrial revolution, to build a greener Britain by cutting carbon emissions, leading the fight to the global Race to Zero. This year the UK will host the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, in Glasgow.

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy is encouraging small businesses across the country to join the fight against climate change by going green.

All businesses can start making small changes now to reduce their carbon footprint to help meet the UK’s target of becoming Net-Zero by 2050.

Find out how to green your business at the Race to Zero SME Climate Hub website and pledge to Net-Zero targets. 

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