Sustainable products with a message

Vicky meets... Mandy Hine, from Message On It, Chichester.
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What is Message On It?

I make and supply eco-friendly and sustainable products to try and persuade people to give up single use plastic. Twice a month I am at Chichester Farmers’ Market, which has the most wonderful local produce and products. We’ve moved to the Cattle Market during the Covid-19 pandemic, so there’s loads of room to ensure social distancing, and Chichester District Council has been very good about reducing the rent on the market during this time.

You are passionate about the environment [Mandy also leads the local Litter Ladies group] but how do you change, say, the behaviour of someone who has always dropped their litter?

Mandy HineMandy Hine
Mandy Hine
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It’s about education. People need to be shown why sustainability is important. Throwing litter, for instance, has a big impact on the environment. My sister got me into supporting an eco-way of life by doing beach cleans. I started litter picking and I was amazed by how much rubbish people chuck. I am proud to say that I always pick up litter. Bosham has a sign up saying Don’t Be a Tosser. I love that; it’s humorous but also direct.

There are a lot of single use masks adding to the litter problem at the moment. What are your thoughts on these?

We don’t need single use masks! I make and sell fabric masks which can be washed over, and over again. Single use face masks cost around £5 for five, which just doesn’t make sense – buy two fabric ones and rotate them instead. Better value and better for the environment.

How has lockdown affected your business?

Like many, I came to a standstill in March. On the plus side, lockdown gave me time to look at my business, change my output and learn new skills – I have even learnt to print on aluminium and wood! I’ve had time to think and to be more creative. My sister does a lot of my designs and she was able to create new ideas too.

You are a big supporter of shopping local. Why?

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Independent traders have had a tough time. At the start of lockdown people supported local traders because they were offering deliveries, but now they are going back to their old habits. Shopping local is a much nicer experience and it really helps with sustainability. But we have to support our local businesses if we want them to survive. I’d like Message On It to have a high street presence eventually. Covid-19 has given us a chance to redefine the high street. I hope we don’t blow it.

You are also a director of Eco Swap in Bognor Regis. Tell us more.

It is a community hub that also supports those who really need help. It has a refillery, a shop and a café, so go and grab a coffee and have a chat and buy one of the wonderful products.

• Further information: www.messageonit.co.uk; Eco Swap: www.ecoswapstore.com; Farmers’ Market: www.chichester.gov.uk/aboutfarmersmarket

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