41. It Takes a Village to Build a Sustainable Home, with Rita Ordónez and James Le Compte from Shepherd's Ground Eco Village

46. Reclaimed Timber That's Too Good for the Tip with Luke Mitchell and Peter Jorgenson from Among the Trees

Mass-produced chipboard and MDF are basically designed to end up in a skip bin once it’s damaged. But real timber is different. It’s resilient to those minor dents. With a simple sand and a fresh coat of oil, those years of wear add to the timber’s story of life.  Joining the podcast episode conversation are Luke Mitchell and Pete, co-founders of Among the Trees, a Sydney-based timber reuse business that’s committed to keeping quality wood out of landfills – so it can be salvaged and made into something new.  They’re building a community of timber lovers through educational workshops, and have a collective of woodworking artisans in their space. Discover how they bring rescue, repair, and purpose back into the way we value and build with timber. A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at Reclaimed Timber That's Too Good for the Tip [https://renewyliving.com.au/reclaimed-timber-too-good-for-tip/] The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... [https://renewyliving.com.au/] Welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast, the show for people who want to live sustainably without the global overwhelm.  We’re here to lighten your environmental load. We celebrate local sustainability across Australia and connect you to the solutions and people already doing great things for a healthier planet. Living sustainably starts with good humans like you. People who care about the natural environment, our communities and the everyday spaces we live in. Each conversation helps you feel reassured that living lighter on the planet is achievable and genuinely feels good to be part of. Join me, Mardi Lee, as we explore how to consume less, build stronger community connections and thrive in your neighbourhood, wherever you call home.

45. Household Waste Through the Decades: One Family's Story

In this episode, we delve into the personal, social, and cultural history of a modern problem, which is getting rid of household waste.  Joining me to share their perspectives across the generations are my own family - my Mum, Leonie Grimshaw, and my sister, Tara Wells. As family, they share a history of their formative or family-raising years in Sydney. Together, they recall stories of household rubbish, recycling and food waste. Their understanding of how these systems have changed over the decades gives a personalised insight into our modern waste crisis. We also touch on how we can use this history to reduce our own waste and become more conscious of our consumption. A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at Household Waste Through the Decades: One Family's Story [https://renewyliving.com.au/household-waste-through-decades/] The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... [https://renewyliving.com.au/] Welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast, the show for people who want to live sustainably without the global overwhelm.  We’re here to lighten your environmental load. We celebrate local sustainability across Australia and connect you to the solutions and people already doing great things for a healthier planet. Living sustainably starts with good humans like you. People who care about the natural environment, our communities and the everyday spaces we live in. Each conversation helps you feel reassured that living lighter on the planet is achievable and genuinely feels good to be part of. Join me, Mardi Lee, as we explore how to consume less, build stronger community connections and thrive in your neighbourhood, wherever you call home.

44. Backyard Composting on a Do-able Scale with Dr Ernie Harbott from Compost Culture

Composting at home isn’t a new trend. In fact, it’s been around for over 130 years, and is one of the most localised and best ways to keep food waste out of landfill. In this episode, you’ll learn everything you need to know about backyard composting on a do-able scale, from starting your first pile to knowing exactly what to do with it once it’s ready.  My guest is Dr Ernie Harbott, founder of Compost Culture and the facebook group Soil Sisters Singleton in NSW. Ernie’s hands-on compost education reaches everyone - from farmers and schools to backyard gardeners and small businesses.  Her advocacy shows that composting is about more than just what happens in your own backyard. It’s about building a community of people who are dedicated to turning waste into something worth spreading back into the earth. A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at Backyard Composting on a Do-able Scale... [https://renewyliving.com.au/backyard-composting-do-able-scale/] The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... [https://renewyliving.com.au/] Welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast, the show for people who want to live sustainably without the global overwhelm.  We’re here to lighten your environmental load. We celebrate local sustainability across Australia and connect you to the solutions and people already doing great things for a healthier planet. Living sustainably starts with good humans like you. People who care about the natural environment, our communities and the everyday spaces we live in. Each conversation helps you feel reassured that living lighter on the planet is achievable and genuinely feels good to be part of. Join me, Mardi Lee, as we explore how to consume less, build stronger community connections and thrive in your neighbourhood, wherever you call home.

43. Sewing your Own Clothes: The Power of Yet with Jessie Brent from Made by Me Jessie B

Sewing your own clothes might seem a bit crazy when you can buy every type of clothing at the click of a button.  But for home sewist, Jessie Brent, from Made by Me Jessie B, whipping out the sewing machine - whether it’s to make something new or to redesign a piece - is second nature. What started out of necessity and cultural expectations, has grown into a real passion, both for sewing and for being part of a slower-fashion community. Jessie volunteers at her local repair cafe, sews with fabrics that would otherwise go to landfill and helps others become confident with the lost skill and art of sewing. A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at Sewing your Own Clothes: The Power of Yet [https://renewyliving.com.au/sewing-your-own-clothes/] The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... [https://renewyliving.com.au/] Welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast, the show for people who want to live sustainably without the global overwhelm.  We’re here to lighten your environmental load. We celebrate local sustainability across Australia and connect you to the solutions and people already doing great things for a healthier planet. Living sustainably starts with good humans like you. People who care about the natural environment, our communities and the everyday spaces we live in. Each conversation helps you feel reassured that living lighter on the planet is achievable and genuinely feels good to be part of. Join me, Mardi Lee, as we explore how to consume less, build stronger community connections and thrive in your neighbourhood, wherever you call home.

42. This is Not a Shoe: Giving Footwear a Reconstructed Life with Pennie Jagiello and Dr Alexandra Sherlock

Instead of throwing shoes away, one project is encouraging us to think differently about your favourite pair of shoes. In this episode, I’m joined by two shoe-loving and curious people. Dr Alex Sherlock is a fashion design lecturer & founder of the Footwear Research Network. Together with artist and contemporary jeweller Pennie Jagiello they lead the This is not a Shoe Project.  Our conversation is about all things shoes, their place in sustainability and fashion, and what happens to beloved shoes when they reach the end of their wearable life. A summary, plus the links and photos of the pieces discussed in this episode are found here at This is Not a Shoe: Giving Footwear a Reconstructed Life The ReNewy Living Podcast is hosted by Mardi Lee, founder of ReNewy Living... [https://renewyliving.com.au/] Welcome to The ReNewy Living Podcast, the show for people who want to live sustainably without the global overwhelm.  We’re here to lighten your environmental load. We celebrate local sustainability across Australia and connect you to the solutions and people already doing great things for a healthier planet. Living sustainably starts with good humans like you. People who care about the natural environment, our communities and the everyday spaces we live in. Each conversation helps you feel reassured that living lighter on the planet is achievable and genuinely feels good to be part of. Join me, Mardi Lee, as we explore how to consume less, build stronger community connections and thrive in your neighbourhood, wherever you call home.