Circular business models like repair, reuse, resale, refill, and rental help households (and businesses) save money while reducing waste during a cost of living crisis. Cost of living crisis Energy, food and housing costs in the UK are rising, causing a cost of living crisis. That financial pressure is leading to changing customer behaviour. Consumers […]
Blue Patch members’ June (online) workshop explored how small creative businesses can genuinely close the loop and embrace circularity. Workshop leader Alice Doyle, uses a technique called ‘reverse brainstorming’, where you make a problem worse before flipping it and finding solutions. Here’s what happened… The Scenario: Cirque De Loop — and a circular crisis! Participants […]
What’s the difference between a linear economy and a circular economy? And why does that matter to a small business? What can a small business owner do to make their company more circular? Let’s find out. A liner economy vs a circular economy The main difference between a linear economy vs a circular economy is […]
A recently published article by The BBC titled ‘Clothes should float in and out of our lives‘ queries whether a mainstream move to circular economy models of business would aid in recovering from the pandemic. Will circular models ever become mainstream? “Yes, absolutely!” is our optimistic answer. In the recent past, sustainable and ethical models […]
Forget business as usual. Right now we’re experiencing a different kind of economy – one that includes clean air and bird song. We’ve been enjoying the simple pleasures of a walk in the park or taking the bike for a spin, baking bread and quality time with the family. When patterns break, it allows a […]
I admit it. I have been guilty……of climate nihilism. I’ve found myself turning down the volume on the news or sometimes looking the other way. It was all too unbearable, out of my hands and I was less than optimistic about the state of the world. That is, until I went to CAT. Sorry to […]
In the past few months the discussion on climate change has intensified, with strategic conversations taking place to shape policy both globally and locally. Earlier in 2019, the UK became the first country to pledge to bring all its net emissions to net zero by 2050. A few cities have stepped up to the challenge with Bristol […]
We’ve been on the hunt for eco friendly, sustainable Christmas crackers that are made here in the UK. I think that one of the most fun things about a very British Christmas are definitely the crackers. A small gift, a joke, a crown and you can be Queen (or King) for the day, along with […]
The 24th of April marked the 6th anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse, and the subsequent push towards greater transparency and sustainability in the fashion industry. This week, marked as Fashion Revolution Week encourages consumers to take action by asking brands #whomademyclothes? Blue Patch works with brands who make and manufacture in the UK, […]
A gardening journal: no 1. By Jane Blue Patch HQ has a wonderful garden. If you live in a big city, you know what an utter luxury a garden can be. Flowers in the spring, barbecues on lazy summer evenings, the odd bit of herbs to sprinkle and the list can go on. Being the […]
Like so many of you, the concept of a circular economy really appeals to me. To invest in a product, then be able to pass it on or see it re-moulded into something entirely different when the time comes just seems entirely sensible. And for most gardeners, I suspect it is second nature. Gardeners are […]
We’re delighted to announce the Blue Patch Sustainable Business Awards 2018 results are available here. The People’s Prize will be announced by the 2017 winner Anna Jacobs. Meet the talented artist-designer at #BStore18 as she hands the award to the winner for 2018! Thank you to the applicants for such wonderful submissions – every one was […]
It was some months ago while perusing my Facebook feed that I came across a very interesting discussion in a group. This particular thread was started by someone questioning whether a business planning to use sustainable leather and organic cotton could call themselves a sustainable business. There were comments on the meat and leather industries, […]
It’s that time of the year when making changes is on everyone’s mind. Perhaps you’d like to save more money this year, or grow your own veggies. Maybe you’d like to spend more time with family, or take a trip around the country. Or you might simply want to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Here are our top 5 […]
Our Awards celebrate all things local, global, sustainable and ethical. This year’s presentation was at London Design Fair in the Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane. The launch of London’s annual Design Week, it was the place to be. Thank you Jimmy MacDonald, Director and Founder of London Design Fair for making us so welcome. This […]
Community entrepreneurs share know-how for running low-carbon businesses On a blustery February evening Preeti and I headed to the Museum of Cinema History for a gathering of 90+ people convinced that low-carbon, local business is the future. The day was hosted by REconomy LIFT, a new initiative from Transition London & South East, an inspiring group […]
Summer 2009 set in motion a research project to develop a new, ethical business model, one that would help both people and planet. The result is Blue Patch (launched in 2014), a directory full of exceptionally fine and sustainable businesses from top to toe of the British Isles. Blue Patch is all about making it easy […]
We’re pleased to announce our very first Blue Patch New Business Awards, providing a ‘boost’ for startups in Britain. Visit us at www.bluepatch.org to find British made and sustainable products that are of exceptional quality – we’re a social enterprise too! The prizes: We’re giving three Awards to entrepreneurs who have launched a new business […]
For those that don’t know, Blue Patch is made up of six hard-working women, three of whom are artists! This means that on average, there will be someone in our office thinking about paint at any one time. No wonder then that one of the first members to join us was New Life Paints – the […]
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