Have you noticed a theme lately with our feature bloggers? People may call us a green company, because our products are made from a natural material, but we don’t want to green wash our business. There is much more to be done, in our industry and others, to reduce the harm that manufacturing and consuming can do. That’s why we love partnering with others who are making the case for and championing sustainable practices! Today, we have an interview with Jenny Tranter who reviewed our Ely series in the past and is the mind behind the eco-blog – State of Green. Read on to see what propelled Jenny to write and educate about green products and their makers, from around the world.

JORD: Jenny, your favorite quote is below:

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

-Dr. Seuss, from The Lorax, 1971

It is a perfect quote and is a very simple way to explain the connectivity between consumers and their impact on sustainability.  As simple as it is, people are still consuming in ways that are harmful to themselves and the environment. What do you think are the greatest barriers consumers face in “going green”? 

Jenny: We live in a fast paced society where we want quick service, quick eats and lifestyle and fashion products that meet the latest trend.  We are a disposable society, but how many of us think where our discarded items end up – A truck comes and takes it away from our nature strip in Australia and we rarely get a glimpse of the landfill it ends up in.  Perhaps if it was under our noses we would all take more notice.  At the top level we need governments standing up and taking environmental protection issues seriously. Policies regarding packaging, toxin levels and disposal of waste need to be robust. Last week in the supermarket a single banana was packed on foam and wrapped in plastic. Madness!  At the middle level we need adults, parents and community leaders taking responsibility and leading by example. As adults we are great influencers to the younger people in our lives.  At the lower level, children need to grow up with an awareness of how our actions are impacting upon the environment through curriculum – they are our future leaders!  The more awareness and active discussion that is occurring across all levels of society, the more people will start taking notice and making smarter consuming choices.

JORD: State of Green started as an online Eco store but has evolved to be much more. You educate and engage your visitors – reading your posts feels like intimate conversations! What propelled the evolution of your site?

Jenny: I started the State of Green blog to share with my readers stories about the people behind the brands we stocked in our online store.  I loved hearing the stories about the makers so much, I decided to extend the blog’s reach and share stories from makers around the world.  In telling the stories I do, I hope to engage people with products and make them think about the story behind it – someone made the materials, thought up the design and then produced it.

JORD: So is education an important factor in the marketing and consumer adaptation of green products?  

Jenny: “Knowledge is power” as they say. The more we know about the products we buy and how they were made, the better informed choices we can make.

JORD: You live in Australia currently but you have traveled extensively and see sustainable products from all around the world.  In your experience is there a country or region you’ve noticed producing really great green products? If so – what do you think has led to that concentration of sustainable design creators?

Jenny: It is hard to pinpoint one country as being particularly good at producing sustainable design. Some sustainable design is driven by economic circumstances, and others by making considered material choices. In poorer countries across Asia, there is a lot of ingenuity in upcycling discarded products into something useful again.  Across the European Union and USA there are also fab designers who are upcycling and recycling and making products from new sustainable timbers.  In Australia, we have some notable sustainable designers and upcyclers, but I would like to find a lot more!

JORD: What consumable product industry would you like to see go more green in a meaningful way? Food, clothing, furniture, health & beauty?  

Jenny: Ooh a hard one! All of the above need to pick up their act! Although as fashion sees a high turn over with trends coming and going, and workers being exploited around the world it would be great to see the industry take some real action.  New initiatives such as Fashion Revolution Day launched this year on the 24^th of April to raise awareness. It is a great start and will hopefully gain momentum.  This of course could be extended across all industries. 

JORD: What do you waste your time doing? 

Jenny: Ohh I am TOO connected to the internet.  Social media often leads me astray from the task at hand, and I get lost on sites such as ebay and gumtree looking for special items to snap up.

JORD: What do you wish you had more time for? 

Jenny: Reading a book – on paper! The pleasure of holding a book and turning the pages is not to be under-rated. There’s no bright back screen lights. Also digging my toes into the sand down the beach. Nothing quite like it!

JORD: What should humanity – as a whole – spend more time doing? 

Jenny: Thinking about how our actions impact upon our environment. We have an expectation that our environment will remain as it is as we get along with our daily lives. We don’t have to take massive steps. If we all start by making a few changes, collectively it will go a long way.

JORD: This person inspires you – who is the first person that’s popped into your head?

Jenny: My dad!  I may not have the appreciation of the environment I have today, without the upbringing I had.  Holidays were spent bush walking and camping, spending time on the beach fossicking through rock holes, and getting dumped by massive waves body surfing. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, it is these experiences that have helped shape me.  At 76years old he still as fit as a fiddle and enjoys a good climate change debate!

JORD: If you were rich enough for just one luxury – the rest of your life would remain the same – what would it be?

Jenny: Mmm – I sat on this question for a while.  Someone to cook for me and my family!  I don’t mind cooking, but seem to always be rushed and have been known to get pre-occupied with something else and blacken a few things …… Could they  

...do the shopping too?

Jenny’s well styled and light carbon footprint!

Another vote for a chef! Thanks again to Jenny – we hope you appreciate and can utilize Jenny’s vast knowledge base. Her site, State of Green, is an incredible resource for any consumer looking to lighten their impact. Any issue you’d like to hear more about? Let us know!

Till next time!

Love – The JORD Team