In this episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast, host Isabelle Sparrow is joined by Isabel Mack, founder of the Party Kit Network CIC, to discuss the world of possibilities offered through borrowing. Whilst most people are familiar with book libraries, there are now hundreds of initiatives across the UK (and beyond) that allow the borrowing of other items –from household appliances to sports equipment and everything in-between.

Listen now to hear:

• About why Isabel Mack started the Party Kit Network CIC and how this simple idea has helped prevent enormous numbers of single-use items being used and thrown away.
• From Chris Hellawell, founder of Edinburgh Tool Library, about how this casual side-project became a full-time job and a thriving charity which has lent over 60,000 tools to people over the last decade.
• From Becky Harford, co-founder of Benthyg Cymru, about how a people-based, place-based approach is at the heart of their work, and how sharing and borrowing can bring people together and create more connected communities.
• From Gavin Fernie-Jones, founder of Re-Action Collective, about the need for better policy and support for the sharing economy, to make borrowing the obvious and first choice wherever possible.

Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/borrow-dont-buy

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Show notes

• Find out more about borrowing, not buying: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/borrow-dont-buy
• Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction
• Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast
• Send us your feedback and comments: hello@carboncopy.eco
• Read about the Party Kit Network CIC on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/party-kit-network
• Read about Edinburgh Tool Library on Carbon Copy: https://carboncopy.eco/initiatives/edinburgh-tool-library
• Learn more about Benthyg Cymru: https://www.benthyg-cymru.org/
• Learn more about Re-Action Collective: https://re-action-collective.org/
• Read about the Alternative High Street: https://www.partykitnetwork.org/post/re-action-alternative-high-street

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Do Something Bigger from the Carbon Copy Podcast, join host Isabelle Sparrow with guest co-host, Kiloran O’Leary from Sustain to learn how producing and eating local food can help people connect with each other and bring positive change to their communities.

Listen now to learn:

• How Sustain is supporting food-related businesses to help more people on lower incomes to access local, healthy and sustainable produce.
• How the people of Carrickfergus in County Antrim came together to create Northern Ireland’s first community-owned greengrocer, and how this is helping the community connect to local growers and farmers.
• Why Growing Communities is encouraging more public sector organisations and schools to use small farms and market gardens to supply their catering needs.
• How Incredible Edible is campaigning for a community "Right To Grow,” and their vision for how this could transform the food system.

Full transcript available at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/produce-local-food

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Show notes

• Find out more about producing food locally: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/produce-local-food
• Discover all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction
• Listen to previous episodes of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast
• Send us your feedback and comments: hello@carboncopy.eco
• Learn more about Sustain: https://www.sustainweb.org/
• Find out about the Bridging the Gap programme: https://www.sustainweb.org/bridging-the-gap/
• Read Sustain’s Local Food Growth Plan report: https://www.sustainweb.org/reports/apr25-local-food-growth-plan/
• Read about Growing Communities: https://www.gcvegscheme.org/
• Read about Carrick Greengrocers: https://carrickgreengrocers.org/
• Read about Incredible Edible: https://www.incredibleedible.org.uk/
• Read about the community Right To Grow campaign: https://www.incredibleedible.org.uk/what-we-do/right-to-grow/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Do Something Bigger, from the Carbon Copy Podcast, hosts Isabelle Sparrow and Bradley Ingham meet three guests who are trying to improve the perception and the reality of using public transport in the UK. We hear from Michael Solomon Williams, Head of Campaigns at the Campaign for Better Transport and learn why it is still relevant in 2025, more than fifty years after the campaign was launched. We speak to Neil Barnfather, Chief Commercial Officer at GoodMaps, about how the app which began as a tool for blind and partially sighted people is now being used by people of all abilities to navigate transport terminals; and we meet Shahiesta Raja, Education Development Officer at Community Rail Lancashire, who has led a group of women to adopt Accrington rail station and become advocates for train travel in their community.

Listen now to learn:

• About campaigns from the Campaign for Better Transport that are helping more people in more places to access buses and trains.
• How GoodMaps’ technology reduces journey times and restores freedom for people with accessibility needs.
• How support from Community Rail Lancashire has had life-changing results for members of the local community in Accrington.

Full transcript at: https://carboncopy.eco/podcasts/turn-to-public-transport

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Show notes

• Find out how to turn to public transport: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction/turn-to-public-transport
• Explore all 25 Big Local Actions: https://carboncopy.eco/takeaction
• Listen back to previous episodes and series of the Carbon Copy Podcast: https://carboncopy.eco/podcast
• Email us with your feedback: hello@carboncopy.eco
• Read more about the Campaign for Better Transport: https://bettertransport.org.uk/
• Learn more about GoodMaps: https://goodmaps.com/
• Learn more about Community Rail Lancashire: https://communityraillancashire.co.uk/
• Discover the whole Community Rail Network: https://communityrail.org.uk/
• Read about the Government’s Integrated Travel Strategy: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/integrated-national-transport-strategy-for-england
• Learn about the Bus Stop Standard campaign: https://bettertransport.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2411-Better-Bus-Stops-Creating-a-national-bus-stop-standard.pdf

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.