The Movers and Shakers
You don’t need to switch careers to become a climate scientist, or quit your day job to fight environmental destruction – you can change the world in whatever industry you find yourself in right now. From down-to-earth facials to renegade bankers, we take a look at the good folks shaking things up in industries which, traditionally, may not have been so good.
Each of these companies could have easily chosen to stick to the status quo of their industries, and undoubtedly they would have still had plenty of consumers happily seek their services – from a business point of view, sure, they could have still been successful following the suit of others, but they chose to be different. They chose to dig deep and question how they wanted to do business on this precious planet. And while some may (quite justifiably) say that sustainability, impact and purpose are just new marketing buzzwords, the fact is, that what is a point of difference today, may very well soon just be the norm. So best start shaking things up before your industry is all shook up without you.
1.
Living Skin
Little Company is a skin and wellness studio in Byron Bay and Melbourne who have created their salons and treatments to not only honour the skin we’re in, but the planet we’re on as well.
In 2015, American non-profit, Environmental Working Group, released a study that found that women put an average of 168 chemicals on their skin every day. While men typically use less products, on average they still put 85 chemicals on their skin daily. And when we consider our skin as our largest organ – a living and breathing layer of protection for our bodies – what we put on it is vitally important.
Little Company’s “living skin” philosophy guides their salon practices, ensuring they only use and stock products made from locally-sourced, cruelty-free and entirely plant-based ingredients that can be traced back to their source. Incredibly, you can also request for your skin regime to be curated to not only suit your skin needs, but to also align with your environmental values through sustainably-focused regimes based on environmental impact.
This philosophy also extends beyond the products to the sustainable and non-toxic design of the Byron Bay salon which was created using reclaimed timber and stone, low VOC paints and natural rubber tiles, right down to the low-flow taps and recycled toilet paper. Because when you create a business guided by a deeply entrenched philosophy, you can’t just pick and choose where it applies.
Treat your skin to a Little Company sustainable facial at 1/26 Brigantine Street, Byron Bay.
@_littlecompany
Industry standard:
Toxic ingredients from unethical sources.
Their approach: All natural, cruelty-free ingredients that can be traced back to the source, with treatments provided in a natural and non-toxic space.
Driven by:
A desire to show the industry that skincare can be sustainable and healthy for us and for the planet.
2.
Clean Money
Bank Australia is putting their money where their mouth is, shifting completely away from dirty investments to 100% clean money.
Perhaps you’ve never given it much thought, but when you’re not spending it, the money in your savings account is used by your bank for personal and commercial loans. This means that if your bank doesn’t share your values, your account balance could be inadvertently supporting projects you don’t agree with – like fossil fuel projects, live export, or weapons. When you open a bank account, you’re essentially going into business with them, and you need to choose your bank as carefully as you choose your business or life partner.
As a cooperative, Bank Australia is owned by customers, who get to have their say on what matters to them – it is then this feedback that guides how Bank Australia operates. For example, when Bank Australia customers said they wanted to see action taken on human rights issues affecting groups like Indigenous Australians and asylum seekers and refugees, Bank Australia chose to support Human Rights Watch to conduct their independent refugee research program. They were also the first bank in Australia to have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and have publicly stated their support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
If your concerns are mainly climate-related, Bank Australia is the first bank in Australia to run entirely on Renewable Electricity and have been carbon neutral since 2011. They even carbon offset the carbon emissions associated with every customer car loan!
In a world that feels like politicians and corporations call the shots, regardless of what the people want, Bank Australia is listening to what their customers say, and acting accordingly. Find out if Bank Australia is the bank for you at bankaust.com.au
@bankaust
Industry standard:
Unethical and dirty investments with minimal community focus.
Their approach:
Ethically screening all investments, supporting people and planet through fairer investments and grants.
Driven by:
A commitment to listening to the world their customers and shareholders want to live in, and using the business of banking to help create that world.
“Clean money is really about securing a sustainable long-term future for all of us. As individuals, we all need a healthy planet that can feed and shelter us and we all benefit from a more peaceful, equal society.”
— Fiona Nixon (pictured), Head of Strategy and Communications,
Bank Australia
3.
Natural Wine
Sustainability is serious business when we think about the current climate of our planet, but as Supernatural Cellars proves, you can be serious about natural wines, while still having a lot of fun.
As with any food production system, the less chemicals the better – for you and for the land. Supporters of natural wines will also tell you that you won’t get a hangover from natural wines (the jury’s still out on this one, but hey, I’ll give it a shot!) But if we put in efforts to fill our plates with organic and naturally-grown food, then we might as well wash it down with something kind to the planet too.
Supernatural is dark, sexy and loud. Their wine list has over 50 biodynamic, organic or sustainable wines, which they encourage slurping down with cheer – no pompous glass swirling or wine swishing here, just the pure enjoyment of gathering around the table with good friends and good food. Eat with your fingers, throw your dirty napkin on the floor, get up and start Byron’s tiniest dancefloor. It’s all welcomed and very much appreciated.
While the state of the world and our race to find solutions might feel incredibly serious, Supernatural proves that embracing sustainability can also be raucous, fun, and a little bit tipsy.
Gather around the wine glasses at
9 Bay Lane, Byron Bay
@supernaturalcellars
Industry standard:
Wine lists with an emphasis on heritage, rather than sustainable practice.
Their approach:
Providing only natural wines in a fun and welcoming environment.
Driven by:
A love of raucous wine swilling, without fear of staining perfect white table cloths.
