The Sustainable Business Spotlight

Turning Plastic Waste Into Schools: How Sustainable Classrooms is Reimagining Education Access & Opportunity in Togo

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2317334/open_sms] On this episode of The Sustainable Business Spotlight, I sit down with Jestine, founder of Sustainable Classrooms, a Montana-based nonprofit, turning plastic waste into building blocks for education in Togo, West Africa. We talk about tackling plastic pollution, working across cultures, and building classrooms with locally sourced materials, all while creating jobs and improving student access to food and healthcare. Jestine shares how a post-college trip turned into a mission to build more than just infrastructure. With a small but mighty team on the ground and a growing community of supporters, she’s proving that one idea, and one brick at a time, can make a global impact. Whether you're working on your own eco-startup or looking for inspiration to take action, this episode highlights how grassroots solutions can drive sustainable change. In this episode:  01:33 – How a trip to Southeast Asia and Africa sparked the idea  03:54 – Living in Togo and building trust with the local community  06:34 – Turning shredded plastic into bricks for classrooms  09:05 – Connecting with students through language and shared experience  13:50 – How power outages are shaping their shift to solar energy  16:57 – Supporting students with school lunches and health programs  19:36 – Ways to support Sustainable Classrooms and follow their journey If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend who cares about sustainability! Links: Website: https://www.sustainableclassrooms.eco/ [https://www.sustainableclassrooms.eco/] Instagram: @sustainable_classrooms [https://www.instagram.com/sustainable_classrooms/#] Facebook: Sustainable Classrooms [https://www.facebook.com/people/Sustainable-Classrooms/61560658603712/] LinkedIn: Sustainable Classrooms [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sustainable-classrooms/] TikTok: @sustainable_classrooms [https://www.tiktok.com/@sustainable_classrooms?_t=8pzKFpyLWTW&_r=1] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIUFEMKEkIa5C5kHKyK-pQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIUFEMKEkIa5C5kHKyK-pQ] Amy's Links: • Website [https://alpinestartmedia.com/] • Alpine Start Media's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alpinestartmedia/] • LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-auble-10a61a113/] • Jelt's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jeltbelt/]

Upcycling and Designing Products That Outlast Fast Fashion with Taylor Dubose of SUS

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2317334/open_sms] On this episode of The Sustainable Business Spotlight, I sit down with Taylor Dubose, founder of SUS, a Massachusetts-based gear company making backpacks, hats, and accessories from recycled plastic and repurposed gear. We talk about rejecting fast fashion, designing for repairability, and the logistics behind collecting waste and turning it into durable products, all without selling on Amazon. Taylor shares how his background in product development shaped the way he approaches sustainability. From old tents and climbing rope, to water bottles that never got recycled, he’s closing the loop through local sourcing, smart design, and full transparency on material use. Whether you're building your own eco-friendly small business or trying to improve your sustainable supply chain, this episode offers practical insight into making products that truly last. In this episode: * 01:40 – How the pandemic sparked Taylor’s idea for SUS * 06:49 – The Reality Collection: bags made from used tarps and tents * 09:12 – Logistics of local collection and manufacturing * 11:13 – Why SUS lists the number of plastic bottles in each product * 14:47 – New product line made from retired climbing rope * 19:53 – What consumers should really know about recycling If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend who cares about sustainability. Links: https://susmade.com/ [https://susmade.com/]https://www.instagram.com/sus_made/ [https://www.instagram.com/sus_made/] Amy's Links: • Website [https://alpinestartmedia.com/] • Alpine Start Media's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alpinestartmedia/] • LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-auble-10a61a113/] • Jelt's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jeltbelt/]

Turning Ocean-Bound Plastic Into Durable Products with Deirdre H. Bird of Dri Umbrellas

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2317334/open_sms] Welcome back to The Sustainable Business Spotlight! In this episode, I’m joined by Deirdre Bird, founder of Dry Umbrellas, a company reimagining a frustrating everyday product with sustainability in mind. After one too many cheap umbrellas flipped inside out on the streets of Boston, Deirdre decided to take action.  The result? A line of high-quality, ocean-bound plastic umbrellas that are as durable as they are impactful. We talk through her unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, the realities of building a sustainable supply chain, and how one product can shift the way people think about consumption. If you’ve ever been frustrated with a broken umbrella or questioned the long-term impact of single-use materials, tune in! Deirdre’s passion for the planet is contagious and her umbrellas are making waves (pun intended!) In this episode, you’ll hear: * 02:33 – The “aha” moment that turned Deirdre from commuter to founder of Dry Umbrellas. * 05:52 – What makes building a sustainable supply chain difficult, but worth it. * 07:40 – The keys to launching a successful Kickstarter campaign (and what Deirdre wishes she’d done). * 13:41 – Why ocean-bound plastic matters and why bamboo and steel were deliberate choices. * 19:17 – How Dry Umbrellas made it onto shelves at REI (and why in-person product feel matters). * 22:35 – Exciting news: compact umbrellas are coming, just in time for the holidays! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with someone who values planet-first products! Links: Enter the Giveaway here [https://jeltbelt.com/pages/sustainable-giveaway]! https://jeltbelt.com/pages/sustainable-giveaway [https://jeltbelt.com/pages/sustainable-giveaway] Website: https://www.dri.earth/ [https://www.dri.earth/] Instagram: @dri_umbrellas [https://www.instagram.com/dri_umbrellas/] Amy's Links: • Website [https://alpinestartmedia.com/] • Alpine Start Media's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alpinestartmedia/] • LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-auble-10a61a113/] • Jelt's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jeltbelt/]

The Power of Local Action: How Compost Crowd is Changing Waste Culture with Kathleen Ventura

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2317334/open_sms] Welcome back to The Sustainable Business Spotlight! In this episode, I’m joined by Kathleen Ventura, co-founder of Compost Crowd, a compost collection service transforming how residents and businesses in Northern Arizona manage their food waste. Kathleen shares how Compost Crowd started, the environmental importance of composting, and how small lifestyle changes can create massive collective impact. Whether you're a sustainability advocate or a curious beginner, this conversation will leave you inspired to take action. In this episode, you’ll hear: * 01:18 – The unexpected inspiration behind starting Compost Crowd. * 03:04 – How the business expanded from farmers markets to city-wide collection. * 06:14 – Why throwing food scraps in the trash creates methane and how composting helps. * 09:02 – The vineyard partnership turning compost into a soil-regenerating solution. * 13:51 – What to do if you don’t have a composting service in your area. * 19:04 – Kathleen’s personal low-waste lifestyle and intentional living practices. This episode is full of actionable insights, real talk about sustainable living, and powerful reminders that individual actions do add up. Tune in and discover simple ways you can make a difference, starting today. If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to rate, share, and leave your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you! For Flagstaff or Sedona residents, use the code PODCAST at www.compostcrowd.com [http://www.compostcrowd.com] to get one free month of compost pick up! Links: Website: https://www.compostcrowd.com [https://www.compostcrowd.com]Instagram: @compostcrowd [https://www.instagram.com/compostcrowd/] Amy's Links: • Website [https://alpinestartmedia.com/] • Alpine Start Media's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alpinestartmedia/] • LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-auble-10a61a113/] • Jelt's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jeltbelt/]

Growing Food Yourself with Marjory Wildcraft

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2317334/open_sms] Welcome to The Sustainable Business Spotlight! Today, I’m joined by Marjory Wildcraft, founder of The Grow Network, a global movement helping people grow their own food and live sustainably. What started as a backyard experiment has become a thriving community empowering self-sufficiency and resilience. In this episode, Marjory shares how anyone can start growing food—no matter their space or experience. We dive into the power of food sovereignty, debunk common gardening myths, and explore why homegrown food is key to financial and environmental sustainability. In this episode, you will hear: * 00:59 Marjory journey to self-sufficiency. * 04:59 The importance of growing your own food. * 07:03 Getting started with gardening. * 12:04 Community and local resources. * 14:59 Soil health and composting. * 19:55 Business insights and lessons learned. This conversation is packed with inspiration and practical steps to take control of your food, health, and future. Tune in now and start your journey toward sustainability! Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share. Links: Website: https://thegrownetwork.com/ [https://thegrownetwork.com/]Webinar: https://thegrownetwork.com/i-can-grow-food-webinar/?oid=117&affid=419 [https://thegrownetwork.com/i-can-grow-food-webinar/?oid=117&affid=419] Amy's Links: • Website [https://alpinestartmedia.com/] • Alpine Start Media's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alpinestartmedia/] • LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-auble-10a61a113/] • Jelt's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jeltbelt/]