Sustainablity CONSIDERATIONS

Continually reviewing, learning, unlearning, relearning and designing my work and life by my values

As an independent small business, Studio Technical Nature strives to create a positive impact and minimise, prevent or even regenerate environmental or social impact in the work I do. Ultimately aiming to align and continually evolve how I work, with that of my focus, creating environmental improvement, regeneration, social justice and positive impact with creativity, care and kindness.

FOCUS AREAS THAT FLOW THROUGH ALL THAT I DO

BETTER DESIGN OF TECHNOLOGY

Taking a life cycle, sustainable, circular ethical perspective in decision making, choosing resources, who we work with and what we develop

RECONNECT WITH NATURE

Integrating nature and environmental care into our work, both in decision making but also in choosing who and how we work. Looking to regenerate nature alongside  those we work with and ourselves

PRIORITISE WELLBEING

Social, ethical, heath and wellbeing considerations are taken into decision making, how and who we work with. Alongside this looking at and supporting working practices that support the health and wellbeing of other and ourselves

Equipment
Materials
Procurement

Considered Buying

As a small business, I carefully consider who I buy from. Following a rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle hierarchy with preference to the higher level strategies

When choosing materials or equipment I research and consider their environmental and social standings. Using online resources such as Ethical Consumer.

    • Explore sustainable options on the market and the effectiveness of these
    • Support local and sustainability focused businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations. Such as, my daily Planner is from Ponderlilly and stationary and pens from Vent for Change
    • Look for appliances and electronics with an energy label and ecodesign consideration, making sure it’s a good one.
    • Other labels that may guide preference are certified FairTrade, FSC, recycled content and/or plastic free (if suitable alternatives exist).
    • Think and look for quality and durability, ability to repair and maintain (fixed my own laptop with a new battery and use a refurbished smartphone from Back Market or Music Magpie, my extra monitor was from an office that no longer needed it.)
    • Look at 2nd hand, charity shop and reused items if of a suitable quality, for my own use directly or for running workshops.
    • I minimise the need to print only when necessary and if so look to use recycled paper and shared facilities.
    • I will strive to use reusable options wherever possible, carry my own coffee cup and flask and encourage others to as well. No need for straws unless a condition that requires it.
    • Subscribe to ethical and sustainable news such as positive news or permaculture magazine
Travel
Acomodation
Meetings
Events

Getting about and Meeting

Integrating sustainable, ethical and healthy choices into how I move and connect. Supporting small, local and circular 

  • I use public transport where possible and if time, money and distances allow, trains will take preference to flights.
  • When flying, and if necessary I try to combine work trips and offset the carbon. I have changed my business model to reduce the need to fly recognising their is local and knowledgeable wisdom to recommend or collaborate with online instead.
  • If you’re not too far I’ll probably arrive on my bike (Avocado)
  • When arranging face to face meetings, I will ensure that it is necessary and efficient.
  • If not there is the option of video conferencing (yes we’re all very familiar with this instead
  • When looking for venues for events of meetings to rent or share, I prefer to support local community, charity or other social enterprises organisations. Alongside this I explore the use of sharing platforms such as Echo
  • If possible I also look to integrate outdoor workshops, walks and time for creativity and wellbeing

Food & Catering

Feeding myself and Others

Looking at increasing and promoting plant based eating and drinking options, alongside seasonal and local. Supporting initiatives that help to feed others (and divert food waste)

  • I increasingly eat a plant based diet, switching to dairy alternatives for milk (oat based) and trying out various cheeses
  • I get many vegetables from a local organic Veg Shed ( I helped crowdfund) and also have started using ODDBOX that supplies fruit and vegetables that would otherwise have gone to waste.
  • If I organise or supply catering I strive to choose and support local organisations and those that supply, seasonal, local, vegetarian and vegan based options.
  • You may even get some grown from my garden (although no promises).
  • I also encourage making and sharing!
  • Any food waste leftovers will either be shared to take home or donate to suitable redistribution network such as Olio, planzheroes.
  • I will ensure that leftovers will be composted when possible.
  • For drinks I use refill option
Energy Use
Heating
Digital Footprint

Powering my business (often at home)

Energy use covers many aspects of my work, both in enabling but also focusing on reducing energy use and switching to renewables of those I work with

  • Frequently working from home I have a 100% renewable energy supplier Bulb, and have renovated the house to use a Air Source Heat Pump (we’ve also added loads more insultation to the roof and have cavity wall insulation).
  • We use little gas, just for cooking, which is offset via bulb for that not procured green.
  • Switching off electrical equipment, lights etc when not in use (and will remind others.
  • Switching off lights, laptops, screens etc when not in use.
    Turn the heating down or have off, wear chunky jumpers and warm slippers.
  • I use a renewably powered web host ecohosting for my website ( and also need to streamline it, less big picture heavy). This is a handy tool to understand your Website Carbon
  • I use the search engine Ecosia that uses the income from search ads to plant trees.
  • I use Honest mobile that plants trees and promotes sustainable phone use
  • I take the stairs instead of the lift – unless I can’t find them…..or we’re meeting at the top of the shard.
  • Supporting and investing in Community renewable shares with Reading Hydro CBS
  • I’m continuing to further to detail my energy footprint using tools such as those from the carbon trust or green element
Resources
reuse
repair
recycle
waste

Reducing or Using Circular Stuff

Further considering the need and lifetime of the things I use, support designing or promote

  • All resources and materials used will be carefully assessed by TechnicalNature,  as to need and will be considered for their design, usage and lifecycle, alongside the best option for disposal, repair, reuse, recycling etc.
  • I will consider and experiment with new and alternative sustainable business models such as rental, borrowing, subscription.
  • Suitable resource streams will be found by TechnicalNature, such as Terracycle, for those items that can be reused, recycled or repaired while for any remaining waste we will explore ways to either eliminate the need in the first place.
  • TechnicalNature may look to actively engage manufacturers, businesses in improving or redesigning products and services through my own work, campaigns or others.
Finance
Savings

Making Money and Savings Matter

Aligning the use of my savings, banking, investments, crowdfunding and pension (Also linked to general purchasing). Many financial instirtutions still support companies and investments that are both environmentally and ethically detrimental.

  • I use two of the higher ethical banks for my business and life, Nationwide and Triodos
  • I’ve written to my pension provider and chosen their ethical/ sustainable funds – I also support the Make My Money Matter Campaign

Giving

Giving Time, Expertise and Resources

Alongside areas core to my work and I ensure I spend a % of my time and income through volunteering, donations and amplifying. Recognising the interconnections between sustainability and climate, social justice

Wellbeing

Happiness, Health & Wellbeing

Feeling happy and in good health ourselves and ensuring that we can also support those that we work with. I aim for our projects and team working to be a happy and healthy experience. Recognising too that life is a continual flow of highs and lows

The 5 Ways To Wellbeing 

I’ve been inspired for a number of years by NEF’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing and look at how to build these into my daily life and the projects and programmes I work with.

  1. Connect
  2. Take Notice
  3. Be Active
  4. Keep Learning 
  5. Give

I encourage sharing tips and tricks for relaxing, clearing the mind as well as invigorating and motivating. For me a walk or a run does wonders, dancing concentrates another part of the mind alongside yoga, and  sharing concerns openly and constructively can take a weight off your shoulders. Alongside this Action for Happiness, provide some great resources and monthly themed calendars to inspire, reflect and help take small actions to support yourself and others.

Working so much for the environment and about the environment, it’s important to get outdoors and enjoy beautiful nature, ensuring balance between time online and tech, with more physical activities and making. This is something that I’m actively looking at how to build in more fluidly into my work and life.

Journeying

Continual Committment

I recognise the importance of continually reviewing, reflecting, learning and evolving my approach and considerations. Making space to read, question and in invest in self-development in areas that will support me in supporting and empowering others and the planet further. I aim to share some of the organisations, tool, books, podcasts that I use, learn from and am inspired by

Aligning My Work And Values With The Sustainable Development Goals

Aim to explore my role as a small business, sole trader further in goals and frameworks such as Net Zero and BCorps.

Who I Work With

I recognise that no-one is perfect (also that many other organisations are doing even more). I’m always open to ideas on ways to improve TechnicalNature’s environmental and social approach.

I judge my work collaborations case by case but will avoid work with organisations whose main activities involve the defence industry, environmental degradation or any known worker exploitation. I also encourage all members of the organisation to at least be paid a Living Wage and explore wage ratio limits.

Predominantly what is important in organisations and individuals is the openness, commitment and intent to learn, understand and improve!

Commit

Interested to review or develop your own sustainability policies and approach?
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