In this episode of the Green Business All-Star Podcast, we welcome Sira Dheshan Naidu, the co-founder of Disruptor London. Sira shares his journey from South Africa to becoming a pivotal force in the UK's health and beauty industry. Alongside Juan Jose Jimenez Anca, Sira founded Disruptor London in 2021 with a mission to revolutionize the sector through sustainable practices and innovative products.

Key Discussion Points:

• Introduction and Background:

  • Sira's journey from South Africa to the UK.

  • The founding of Disruptor London with Juan Jose Jimenez Anca.

  • The mission to create sustainable and innovative health and beauty products.

• Entrepreneurial Journey:

  • The unique blend of business acumen and ethical values.

  • Overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship with resilience and camaraderie.

  • The importance of support from fellow founders and regular meetups over wine.

• Business Accelerator Experience:

  • Participation in a business accelerator focused on hardware with the Central Research Laboratory in London.

  • Development of sustainable packaging solutions and the role of a supportive cohort.

• Company Vision and Mission:

  • Disruptor London's focus on multifunctional plastic-free products.

  • Advocacy for gender-neutral beauty solutions.

  • Redefining ethical luxury through quality, sustainability, and consumer education.

LINKS:

https://disruptor.london/uk

CONTACT INFO:

LinkedIn

Instagram

In this episode, Anne explores the topic of sustainable product development. She discusses examples from previous episodes where entrepreneurs have either started from scratch or innovated existing products to create more sustainable alternatives. Anne emphasizes the importance of finding a demand for the product and improving upon existing options. She also provides tips for developing sustainable products, such as researching what's selling on platforms like Amazon and considering non-plastic alternatives for manufacturing materials.

Key Takeaways:

• Sustainable product development involves either starting from scratch or innovating existing products to create more sustainable alternatives.
• It is important to find a demand for the product and improve upon existing options.
• Research what's selling on platforms like Amazon and pay attention to customer feedback to identify areas for improvement.
• Consider using non-plastic alternatives such as aluminum, steel, or biodegradable options for materials.

Question? Comments? Email Anne at [email protected]

Listen to more episodes at Green Biz Pod

In this solo episode, I discuss the idea of environmental consulting and its various subtypes, drawing inspiration from previous podcast episodes. I explore the concept of eco-friendly consulting, sustainability consulting, waste management consulting, healthy soil consulting, green certification consultancy, and sustainable supply chain consultancy. The importance of niche specialization is emphasized, and the potential for making a positive impact on the planet while sustaining a comfortable lifestyle.

The concept of environmental consulting encompasses various subtypes, including eco-friendly consulting, sustainability consulting, waste management consulting, healthy soil consulting, green certification consultancy, and sustainable supply chain consultancy.

Niche specialization is crucial for success in environmental consulting, allowing businesses to focus on specific areas and make a positive impact on the planet while sustaining a comfortable lifestyle.

The podcast aims to inspire individuals to start, work for, or implement green business ideas into their existing businesses, promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness.

Types of Green Business Consultant Services:

• Eco-Friendly Consulting:

  • Help businesses adapt sustainable practices to reduce their environmental footprint.
  • Inspired by Fedia Korbatov of Baba Bags (Episode 1: The Path to Sustainable Entrepreneurship).

• Eco-Conscious Business Consulting:

  • Offer services to help businesses implement sustainable practices from waste reduction to sourcing eco-friendly materials.
  • Insights from Matthew Stillman of Primal Derma Skincare (Episode 12: Ancient Traditions Meet Modern Sustainability).

• Sustainability Consulting for Startups:

  • Guide startups in incorporating sustainable practices in their product design and packaging.
  • Lessons from Eleanor Isath of Milk Innovation Lab and Bee Worm (Episode 14: Making Products Disappear).

• Green Business Consulting:

  • Assist businesses in transitioning to sustainable practices and creating impactful green marketing strategies.
  • Learnings from Maria Sabrion of Terra Seed (Episode 13: Creating Ethical and Sustainable Vegan Supplements).

• Waste Management Consulting:

  • Provide strategies for effective waste management and minimization for businesses and municipalities.
  • Insights from Joel Tosh of CleanHub (Episode 15: Scalable Solutions to Plastic Pollution).

• Waste Minimization Consulting:

  • Help businesses minimize waste in their production processes, aiming for zero waste.
  • Inspired by the sustainable journey of Kind Cup (Episode 3: Innovation and Adding Value).

• Healthy Soil Consulting Services:

  • Improve soil health using organic matter and sustainable practices.
  • Ideas from Greg Peterson, the urban farmer (Episode 5: The Business of Urban Farming).

• Green Certification Consultancy:

  • Assist businesses in achieving rigorous green certifications, ensuring genuine and verifiable sustainability claims.
  • Examples include certifications like B Corp, FSC, and carbon neutrality, inspired by episodes featuring Elate Cosmetics and Plain Products.

• Sustainable Supply Chains Consultant:

  • Help companies find truly sustainable ingredients and materials for their products.

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Joel Tasche is the founder and CEO of CleanHub, a company focused on stopping plastic pollution in the oceans. CleanHub builds a global infrastructure to collect plastic and other waste in areas where waste management is lacking. They aim to shift the narrative from waste management to a circular economy. CleanHub partners with waste management companies and funding brands to create a scalable solution to plastic pollution. They have collected over 8 million kilograms of waste to date.

In this episode, you'll learn about

-The challenge and inspiration Joel has faced along the way in combating plastic pollution

-Upcycling and supply chains of recovered waste materials

-Joel's unconventional education in waste managing

-Managing a diverse, global team spread across multiple time zones and the tools and strategies that keep CleanHub connected and effective.

-How Joel manages a diverse, global team spread across multiple time zones, and the tools and strategies that keep CleanHub connected and effective.

-Funding a Mission driven company

-Advice for Aspiring entrepreneurs

LINKS:

CleanHub.Com

Cradle to Cradle

Slack

CONTACT INFO:

[email protected]

Instagram

LinkedIn

Eleonore Eisath, a product designer, discusses her work in making products disappear through sustainable design. She explains that industrial design is about solving problems with products and that she has worked with both big companies and startups. Eleanor also talks about her involvement with Beworm, a biotechnological process that decomposes polyethylene using worms and microbes. She then discusses her current role as the lab lead at MILK, a packaging agency focused on sustainable perspectives for the food and beverage industry. She emphasizes the importance of designing for recycling and the need for regulations to enforce sustainable practices. Eleonore discusses her responsibilities in building up the Innovation Lab, including client projects, designing packaging, and working on creative concepts. She also talks about the Food Lab and Material Lab within the Innovation Lab. Eleonore shares a project called Brubix Cube, which involves using food leftovers to create a frozen broth cube and packaging it in a sustainable way. She emphasizes the importance of being patient and accepting people's flaws when working towards sustainability goals. Eleonore advises individuals interested in sustainable packaging to be curious, open-minded, and attend events to meet like-minded people.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Industrial design is about solving problems with products. Designing for recycling is crucial for sustainable product development.
• Regulations are needed to enforce sustainable practices in the industry.
• Plastic is not always an unsustainable solution, and its recyclability depends on the local recycling system.
• Marketing sustainable packaging can be challenging due to consumer confusion and the risk of greenwashing. Building up the Innovation Lab involves client projects, packaging design, and creative concepts.
• The Food Lab and Material Lab are important components of the Innovation Lab.
• The Brubix Cube project demonstrates the use of food leftovers and sustainable packaging.
• Being patient and accepting people's flaws is crucial when working towards sustainability goals.
• Curiosity, open-mindedness, and attending events can help individuals interested in sustainable packaging connect with like-minded people.

LINKS:

MILK Material Lab

MILK Magazine Milkshake

Beworm

Notpla

Eu's Single-Use Plastic Directive

CONTACT INFO:

Linkedin

Maria Cebrian, a third-time entrepreneur and Forbes 1000 honoree, shares her journey as an entrepreneurial leader and her passion for building companies that are good for the health of people, animals, and the planet. She discusses her experience in the digital and wellness industries, including the acquisition of her second company by Gaia, the world's biggest conscious media platform. Maria then talks about her current company, Terraseed which focuses on creating ethical and sustainable vegan supplements. She highlights the importance of sourcing clean and sustainable ingredients and packaging and the challenges she faces in building a truly green business. She discusses how she researched and formulated the product, including the importance of customer feedback. Maria also talks about her marketing strategies, including the use of social media, influencers, and organic growth. She provides advice on raising funds for a mission-aligned business and emphasizes the importance of staying aligned with your beliefs and mission.

KEY TALKING POINTS:

• Maria Terra Seed's journey from athlete to eco-entrepreneur.
• The intersection of nutrition, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
• The process of developing a sustainable supplement brand.
• Challenges and triumphs in building a green business.
• Strategies for navigating the world of sustainable entrepreneurship.
• The importance of mission alignment and staying true to your values.Tips for raising funds for a green business.

LINKS:

Terra Seed

Show Notes

Techstars

The Mom Test

Fairmint

The Paper Tube Company

CONTACT INFO:

LinkedIn

In this episode of the Green Business All-Star Podcast, Dr. Peyman, a scientist entrepreneur, discusses his journey from the lab to business and the importance of enzymes in various industries. He explains that enzymes are proteins that catalyze reactions, speeding them up with lower energy requirements. Enzymes are crucial for the bioeconomy for green and sustainable production. Dr. Peyman's company, Allozymes, focuses on enzyme engineering and has developed a device and a database to screen and engineer enzymes for industrial applications. The use of enzymes reduces chemical waste and pollution, and Allozymes is working with companies in the chemical and pharma industries to develop greener processes. Dr. Peyman also shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the green business sector.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Enzymes are proteins that catalyze reactions, speeding them up with lower energy requirements.
• Enzymes are crucial for the bioeconomy, and the adoption of green and sustainable production.
• Allozymes has developed a device and a database to screen and engineer enzymes for industrial applications.
• The use of enzymes reduces chemical waste and pollution.
• Allozymes is working with companies in the chemical and pharma industries to develop greener processes.
• Entrepreneurs in the green business sector should consider the economic viability of their ideas and focus on making a positive impact. Allozymes offers affordable and flexible enzyme engineering technology for both large companies and small manufacturers.
• Their process involves understanding customer needs, and designing and engineering enzymes using machine learning.
• Allozyme's technology is faster, cheaper, and more successful compared to conventional methods.
• Allozyme aims to have a major impact on various industries and create bio solutions that coexist with nature.

LINKS:

https://allozymes.com/

Show Notes

CONTACT INFO:

LinkedIn

In this episode of the Green Business All-Star Podcast, we explore the dynamic world of sustainable entrepreneurship with Matthew Stillman. From his improvisational comedy roots to producing impactful documentaries like 'The End of Poverty' and founding the skincare company Primal Derma, Matthew shares insights, lessons, and inspiration for aspiring eco-conscious innovators. Discover the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and business success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Looking at things from a different perspective, without giving advice is a powerful tool to help people.
• By some measurements, poverty is improving in the world, but that's only because the benchmarks have changed.
• The importance of building relationships and seeking support from others, recognizing the value of collaboration in business endeavors.
• The significance of considering environmental, social, and economic factors in business decision-making for a truly sustainable impact.

LINKS:

https://primalderma.com/

https://greenbizpod.com/primalderma/

CONTACT INFO:

https://primalderma.com/

@primalderma

In this episode, we delve into the innovative world of sustainable packaging with Suvi Haimi, the CEO and Co-Founder of Sulapac. With a background in biomaterials research and a passion for environmental sustainability, Suvi and her team at Sulapac are on a mission to combat plastic waste by providing sustainable alternatives for various industries. From cosmetics packaging to 3D printed furniture, Sulapac's bio-based and recyclable materials are revolutionizing the way we think about packaging and product design. Join us as we explore Suvi's journey from academia to entrepreneurship and learn how Sulapac is paving the way for a greener future.

LISTEN TO THE END FOR 2 GREEN BUSINESS IDEAS

Key Takeaways

• Sulapac is leading the way in developing sustainable, bio-based materials to replace conventional plastics in various applications, from cosmetics packaging to 3D-printed furniture.

• Collaboration is key: partnerships with global brands, small businesses, and startups are driving the adoption of eco-friendly packaging solutions and accelerating the transition towards a circular economy.

• Certifications and third-party testing play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability and safety of packaging materials, providing consumers with confidence in their choices.

• Regulatory frameworks, such as the packaging and packaging waste regulation, are essential in driving systemic change and incentivizing the adoption of sustainable practices across industries

LINKS:

Sulapac

European Union's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

EU's Single-Use Plastic Directive-Broad Plastic Definition

Sulapac Filament

CONTACT INFO:

Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X @sulapac

In this episode of the Green Business All-Star Podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of algae with Catharine Arnston, founder of ENERGYbits. Catharine shares her journey into the world of algae, its health benefits, and the challenges and rewards of building a business centered around this powerful superfood.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Algae, such as chlorella and spirulina, offer a wealth of health benefits, including high protein content and detoxifying properties.

• The history of algae production traces back to post-World War II Japan, where it was introduced as a source of nutrition and healing.

• Despite being widely consumed in Asia, algae remains relatively unknown in Western countries like the United States.

• Building a business around algae requires perseverance, passion, and a willingness to learn.

• While venture capital can accelerate growth, it may come with strings attached and dilute the founder's vision.

• Digital marketing and e-commerce offer powerful tools for reaching consumers and building a loyal customer base.

• Catharine emphasizes the importance of pursuing entrepreneurship out of love and a desire to make a positive impact.

LINKS:

ENERGYbits

Show Notes Page

CONTACT INFO:

@energybits