It's been a while....Ecostudio update

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I’m probably not alone in feeling that posting to a blog can feel like a lonely occupation and for me it often slips down the list of priorities when running a small business. However, catching up with a few clients recently and generally feeling rather ashamed about the website looking a bit tired, has kicked me into action.

After 10 years or so at the leading edge of the sustainability field things do, at last, seem to be moving forward. We're nowhere near being a mainstream business agenda yet but with critical legislation being passed, corporate social responsibility and consumer demand driving change and stimulating growth it certainly feels like we're in a good place.

The website will be developed, but for now, here’s a quick update on things that have been happening at Ecostudio over the last few years (not mentioning the birth of my daughter):

We’ve renewed our focus on helping food and drink businesses and policy makers move away from single use packaging. Buoyed by the ‘blue planet effect’ and recent consultations around Extended Producer Responsibility, Plastic Tax and Deposit Return Schemes and so on. I was invited to host a Zero Waste conference with Food Centre Wales last year alongside speakers from Marks and Spencer, Volac, Pennotec and Natural Weigh. The event drew a sell-out crowd and initiated a series of sustainable packaging workshops that I have lead.

I’ve also been invited to speak at the Policy Forum for Wales Keynote Seminar about the Circular Economy next month, following a talk I gave for them last year. We’ve been working alongside Frith RM in reporting to WRAP and Defra on mandatory on-pack recycling labelling.

Iain Cox (left) chairing a panel discussion at the FCW Zero Waste Conference

The Sustainable Business Review – online self-assessment tool for food and drink businesses is now reaching critical mass and we maintain links to the Welsh Government and have supported them in the development of their Sustainable Brand Values that will encourage Welsh food and drink businesses to embed into their processes

We’ve been supporting social enterprise and charities to put sustainable practices in place through our work with Social Business Wales. We’re also working on a professional development programme for land based businesses, more to follow on that. Not to mention our sustainability training masterclasses that are helping business gain advantage from the growing demand for sustainable brands, products and services.

All in a days work…or so.