In recent years we've witnessed nothing short of a global revolt against plastic - led by consumers, regulators and activists. These groups broadly agree that the world is producing - and discarding - too much plastic and that something needs to be done. Though what needs to be done and how is debated, most agree on who needs to be leading this effort: businesses. As the top source of plastic waste, plastic packaging is by far the worst offender. With regulation looming and the UK's first plastic packaging tax coming into force next April, plastic packaging represents a growing business risk.

Join us for this lunchtime webinar where we'll explore the hot topic of plastic and the responsibility played by businesses that are plastic users. The webinar will bring together Paul Hargreaves, Chief Exec at Cotswold Fayre; Svanika Balasubramanian, Co-Founder and CEO of rePurpose Global and Andrew Walker, Founder of TEA REX.

We will delve into the problem and what businesses can do about it - including measuring and offsetting your plastic footprint and the importance of design in reducing and eliminating plastic. The event will be moderated by Benjamin Bolton, Interim Impact Manager at Cotswold Fayre and On Purpose Associate.

Speakers

Paul is a leading voice in the UK encouraging and inspiring businesses to move away from profit to becoming a force for good. In 1999, whilst still doing charitable work in the inner city, Paul founded Cotswold Fayre, a food and drink wholesaler. The company grew rapidly to become the leading speciality food wholesaler, supplying over 1,500 retailers within the UK and Ireland. The tremendous success of the company has been down to creating a great place to work and changing the world for better: through its carbon reduction programme, community focus, stocking the most ethical food and drink products and working with a poor rural community in Africa.

Paul’s company was in the first UK cohort to certify as a B Corp, and Paul is also an ambassador for the movement in the UK. Published in 2019, his first book “Forces for Good” adds a fourth bottom line to the triple bottom line of people, planet, profit - arguing that if we are to change the world through business, we also need to change ourselves. His second book "The Fourth Bottom Line" published this year, expands this idea further and offers a guide to flourish in the era of compassionate leadership.

Svanika is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of rePurpose Global, the world’s first plastic credit platform.

Hailing from Oman and India, Svanika is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and recipient of the 2018 President’s Engagement Prize. Svanika is fueled by two passions: pushing ahead the charge for our future circular economy, and finding new ways to integrate podcasts into her day. Prior to rePurpose she has worked across various sectors ranging from Morgan Stanley in New York to startup incubators in India. Svanika also holds a keen interest in migrant worker issues in the Middle East and has worked to highlight their stories as a fellow for the Pulitzer Center.

Andrew is founder of TEA REX the world’s first raw fruit and root tea made with only fresh ingredients and natural processes. They use clever cold-pressing, not pasteurisation, to naturally cram all the flavours, vitamins and nutrients into a raw blend ready for you to just add water.

Andrew will be discussing how, in the past12 months, TEA REX has undergone a total transformation of its product to make it more sustainable.

Benjamin is an On Purpose Associate doing his second placement at Cotswold Fayre as Interim Impact Manager and will be moderating this event.

Plastic Webinar