Waste – a messy issue
Blue Patch‘s monthly drop-In workshops ‘Sharing and Solving Challenges Together’ provide sustainability workshops for small business. Members of Blue Patch’s Sustainable Business Community are always keen to further reduce their environmental impact.
The workshops are funded by The Naturesave Trust as part of their Making Business Greener Campaign.
The aim is to stimulate creative thinking! Members tackle sustainability challenges in small groups by co-creating solutions to real-world environmental issues.
Hosted by Jane Langley, Blue Patch founder, and chaired by chartered environmentalist Alice C Doyle, the workshops are interactive and participants feel a sense of community.
Co-creating sustainable solutions
The first drop-in workshop explored “Waste – A Messy Issue”. The 45-minute session was divided into engaging activities, including the use of breakout rooms where members introduced themselves and discussed their challenges and observations regarding waste.
A Reverse Brainstorming exercise followed, flipping the problem-solving process on its head. To bring this exercise to life we set a scene; a boiling hot day in July and a music festival is in full flow. A stall is serving ice-cold organic apple juice – everyone loves it and there are long queues. However the juice is served in single-use plastic cups, with predictable results!
Reverse Brainstorming workshop
Just how bad can this junk pile get? Everyone imagined the worst-case scenario for plastic waste management, from impact on the water-table and biodiversity to damage to brand reputation.
Reverse brainstorming is provocative and the group delved into the complexities of exhibitor contracts, personal and business responsibilities. Ideas such as return schemes or discounts for reusable cups highlighted practical approaches. However, the conversation quickly moved into thought-provoking territory, questioning the societal and cultural forces that shape human behaviour.
People versus robots – litter picking
A fascinating contrast emerged during the roundtable when comparing the UK’s individualistic approach to waste to, for instance, Japanese culture, where collective responsibility ensures public spaces such as stadiums, are left spotless. Technology’s role, such as Japan’s use of waste robots, was seen as a potential catalyst for advancing recycling efficiency. The question emerged, is the current waste management infrastructure enough without societal norms to support it?
Should the Polluter Pay?
The debate shifted to personal responsibility versus systemic change. Should individuals shoulder the burden of sustainability, or is the root of the problem a systemic one? Some argued that the Polluter Pays Principle should hold industries accountable, addressing waste at source. Others suggested a cultural shift from being ‘consumers’ to ‘citizens’, could pave the way for a more environmentally conscious society.
Ultimately, the discussion underscored the need for an intersection of societal rethinking, robust infrastructure and innovative technology to tackle the problem of waste and sustainability.
Drop-in workshops for small business
These drop-in workshops offer more than just advice — they provide a community. Participants leave with fresh ideas, practical tools, and renewed motivation to make sustainability central to their operations.
Join the Movement
The Blue Patch Drop-In Workshops are your opportunity to connect with fellow small businesses, share challenges and find innovative solutions together. Whether it’s reducing waste, packaging sustainability or exploring circular economy principles, these sessions are here to guide and inspire through a range of topics.
Don’t miss the next session on zoom on Friday 21st February at 11am (zoom link on the Blue Patch Members’ Hub.) The theme is on Greenwashing, Branding Honestly —The art of going green. Your sustainable future starts here.
