The Sustainable Jungle Podcast
The Sustainable Jungle Podcast

The Sustainable Jungle Podcast

Sustainable Jungle

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Episodes

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The Sustainable Jungle Podcast is a mission driven show, focusing on solutions for the world’s sustainability challenges. Host, Joy McConnochie talks with some of the most interesting and inspiring consumer brands who are innovating and leading their respective industries.

Recent Episodes

Corinne Lefebvre on Building River Organics: Plastic-Free, and Organic Makeup
OCT 27, 2025
Corinne Lefebvre on Building River Organics: Plastic-Free, and Organic Makeup
Corinne Lefebvre is the founder of River Organics, a Top Rated brand in our Sustainable Jungle Brand Rating System. Based in North Carolina, River Organics creates vegan, cruelty-free, and plastic-free makeup made from mostly certified organic, plant-based ingredients, using lab-made, conflict-free mica and compostable packaging. In this episode of the Sustainable Jungle Podcast, Joy speaks with Corinne about her personal journey, from art history student to beauty founder, how she’s continuing the mission she began with her late husband Fabien Scorza, and what it’s been like building a small-batch brand that is prioritizing both health and impact (an unusual combo!). 🎥 Watch the full video and join the discussion on our Substack. 🎧 Or listen to the audio version right here, in the show notes (or wherever you get your podcasts). In this episode we cover: Corinne’s personal background and path from art history to sustainable, plastic-free beauty The founding story of River Organics Corinne’s clear passion for creating high performing products from organic ingredients & compostable packaging Lessons from running a zero-waste, small-batch operation Why River Organics earned our Disrupting (Top-Rated) badge in our Brand Rating System Corinne’s reflections on the beauty industry today and the changes she’d like to see in the industry Members-Only Bonus Segment In the bonus segment, Corinne shares a deeply personal look at what it’s been like to carry River Organics forward, the toughest moments she’s faced, and the values that continue to guide her work. Access the bonus content by becoming a member on Substack. Other Ways to Support the Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love your support: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen Share with a friend Subscribe for more inspiring brand stories Leave a review, we’d love your feedback!
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41 MIN
Julian Silva on Building Plastno: Compostable Trash Bags, Refillable Essentials & The Plastnofy App
AUG 27, 2025
Julian Silva on Building Plastno: Compostable Trash Bags, Refillable Essentials & The Plastnofy App
Julian Silva is the founder of Plastno, a Top Rated brand in our Sustainable Jungle Brand Rating System that’s tackling waste in the household essentials space. Through compostable trash bags, refillable cleaning products, and the Plastnofy app, Plastno is making it easier for consumers to reduce waste and live more sustainably—all while prioritizing transparency and ethical production. In this episode of the Sustainable Jungle Podcast, Joy speaks with Julian about his personal journey into sustainability, the origins of Plastno, and what it’s like to build a sustainability-focused company in an industry often filled with misleading claims. You’ll hear about: Julian’s personal background and path into sustainability The founding story and mission behind Plastno Compostable trash bags, refillable cleaning products & the Plastnofy app Challenges, wins, and values shaping Plastno’s journey Why Plastno earned our Top Rated badge and the importance of transparency Reflections on the waste and cleaning industries and what the future could hold Members-only bonus: In the bonus segment, Julian opens up with his personal reflections on managing a business like Plastno, navigating tough tradeoffs between values and growth, and what he’d do with unlimited resources. He also shares his hopes for Plastno and the wider low-waste movement. To access this bonus content, you can become a member at https://members.sustainablejungle.com/become-a-member/ or as a paid subscriber on our Substack: https://sustainablejungle.substack.com/subscribe  Important Links: Plastno: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/plastno-brand-rating-review/  See the brand rating: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/brand-ratings/plastno/  Watch the video: https://sustainablejungle.substack.com/p/julian-silva-plastno-81 Show notes: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/podcast/episode-81/ How to Support the Podcast: Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen Leave a review Share this episode 
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36 MIN
Annick Ireland on Building Immaculate Vegan: Ethical Style, Misconceptions About Vegan Leather & The Future of Fashion
AUG 12, 2025
Annick Ireland on Building Immaculate Vegan: Ethical Style, Misconceptions About Vegan Leather & The Future of Fashion
Annick Ireland is the co-founder of Immaculate Vegan, a pioneering online marketplace for ethical and vegan fashion. Since launching in 2018, Immaculate Vegan has become a global destination for stylish, animal-free, and more sustainable alternatives to mainstream fashion—curating brands that align with strict ethical and environmental standards. In this episode of the Sustainable Jungle Podcast, Joy speaks with Annick about her journey into vegan fashion,  the origins of Immaculate Vegan, and the evolving vegan fashion space. You’ll hear about: Annick’s personal journey and career path leading up to Immaculate Vegan The founding story and mission behind the platform Common misconceptions about vegan leather and animal leather How Immaculate Vegan assesses materials and brand partners Annick’s vision for the future of sustainable and ethical fashion Members-only bonus:In the bonus segment, Annick gets personal about managing overwhelm, navigating tricky tradeoffs, and what she’d do differently with unlimited resources. She also shares her hopes for the platform’s future. To access this bonus content, you can become a member at https://members.sustainablejungle.com/become-a-member/ or as a paid subscriber on our Substack: https://sustainablejungle.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-80-annick-ireland  Important Links:Immaculate Vegan: https://www.immaculatevegan.com/Watch the video: https://sustainablejungle.substack.com/p/annick-ireland-80 Show notes: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/podcast/episode-80/ How to Support the Podcast:Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen Leave a review Share this episode with someone who cares about conscious fashion
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44 MIN
How Activist Skincare Is Blending Actives With Activism Through Refillable Skincare | Allison Callaway
JUL 23, 2025
How Activist Skincare Is Blending Actives With Activism Through Refillable Skincare | Allison Callaway
Allison Callaway is the founder of Activist Skincare, a refill-first beauty brand on a mission to reduce waste, promote ingredient transparency, and deliver truly effective skincare. Since launching in 2018, Allison has formulated every product herself —balancing ethical sourcing, small-batch production, and thoughtful packaging choices. Activist Skincare has since earned our Top Rated badge for its commitment to sustainability, product performance, and ingredient integrity. In this episode of the Sustainable Jungle Podcast, Joy speaks with Allison about her journey into sustainability, the origins of Activist Skincare, and more... You’ll hear about: Allison’s career path to ultimately founding Activist Skincare How Activist Skincare’s refillable model works—and why it matters Highlights from our brand rating and what makes the brand stand out Lessons from a solo founder building a purpose-led skincare company Reflections on the beauty industry  Members-only bonus:In the bonus segment, Allison gets personal about the challenges of running an activist-led beauty brand, balancing motherhood with mission, and thoughts on where we're at as a society right now. She also shares honest advice for other purpose-led founders—and what she’d do differently with unlimited resources. To access this bonus content, you can sign up to become a member here. Important Links: Shop Activist Skincare: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/activist-skincare-rating/  See the brand rating: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/brand-ratings/activist-skincare/ Become a member to access bonus content: https://members.sustainablejungle.com/become-a-member/  Watch the video: https://youtu.be/vRtpxQRfU4Q  Sign up to our newsletter: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/newsletter/ Show notes: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/podcast/episode-79/ Find other rated brands: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/brand-directory/ How to Support the Podcast: Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen Leave a review Share this episode with someone who cares about conscious consumption
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48 MIN
How Plaine Products Is Tackling Plastic Waste With Refillable Aluminum Bottles | Lindsey McCoy
JUL 7, 2025
How Plaine Products Is Tackling Plastic Waste With Refillable Aluminum Bottles | Lindsey McCoy
Lindsey McCoy is the co-founder of Plaine Products, a pioneering zero-waste personal care brand born from a desire to tackle plastic pollution. After witnessing firsthand the impact of plastic waste while living in the Bahamas, Lindsey and her sister launched a line of refillable aluminum bottles to replace single-use packaging in the bathroom. In this episode of the Sustainable Jungle Podcast, Joy speaks with Lindsey about the origins of Plaine Products, the evolution of the refill model, and how the brand earned our Top Rated badge through exceptional sustainability practices. You’ll hear about:🌴 Lindsey’s personal journey from nonprofit work to sustainable beauty♻️ How Plaine Products’ refill system works and why aluminum was the material of choice🏆 Key insights from our brand rating process💡 Challenges and wins of building a mission-led brand🌍 What the future of zero-waste beauty might look like Watch the video: https://youtu.be/-kq0YaVMyOU  Important Links: 👇 Shop Plaine Products: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/plaine-products-brand-rating/ 🔍 See the brand rating: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/brand-ratings/plaine-products/🌱 Register your interest to become a member: https://forms.gle/cJEE2Q1vAxW6yYpdA💌 Sign up to our newsletter: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/newsletter/📝 Show notes: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/podcast/episode-78/    💚 Find other rated brands: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/brand-directory/ How to Support the Podcast: Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please:🟢 Follow or subscribe wherever you listen⭐️ Leave a review📤 Share this episode 
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38 MIN