[181] The Party Kit Network (ripples in action!) with Isabel Mack

A Sustainable Life with Jen Gale

This week’s episode feels a little bit liking coming full circle on an episode from nearly 5 years ago!
If you’re a long-time listener, and have an excellent memory, you might remember, way back in 2019, I interviewed the wonderful Tillie Mabbutt who runs Frome Eco Party Kit, renting out a party kit of reusable plates, cups and bowls to avoid the waste associated with disposable partyware. At the time, Tillie was one of the first people in the UK to be running a reusable party kit and we dived into the idea, how it works, and how she got started.
Well… today’s guest Isabel was listenting to that episode, and not only started her own Party Kit off the back of it, but went on to create the Party Kit Network, which now has 360 kits listed in the UK, over 100 in Australia and is starting to branch out into North America too.
I Could. Not. Love. This. More!
In this episode we dive into party kits, what they are, how they work, how to find one, as well as how to start one if you’d love to have near you and there isn’t one. We also talk more broadly about the sharing economy – so this is the idea of an economy based on renting and sharing things rather than the linear buy, use, dispose model we currently have. We explore some of the difficulties around trying to do business in a different and lets face it, conter cultural way and Isabel’s ambitions for the Party Kit Network.
I hope you enjoy listening to this one as much as I enjoyed recording it!

Isabel Mack

Check out Isabel's Party Kits stacked up behind her!

A party kit complete with decorations and Pass the Parcel bags! Image: Party Kit Network

Re-usable Pass the Parcel bags (these are genius!) Image: Party Kit Network

Re-usable paper pompoms Image: Party Kit Network

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LISTEN...

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USEFUL LINKS:

• Party Kit Network
  - Website
  - Find a Party Kit
  - Facebook
  - Party Kit Network Owner Facebook group
  - Instagram
  - Twitter/X
  - Pinterest
  - Annual Impact Report 2023
  - Getting started guide
  - How to ask for no gifts when hosting a kid's birthday party (Isabel's blog post)
• [037]- How and why to set up a reusable party kit for kids birthday parties with Tillie from Frome Eco Party Packages
• Who Gives a Crap toilet roll
• Brothers Make - plastic recycling
• Citizens by Jon Alexander
• Erin Rhoads aka The Rogue Ginger
• People Planet Pint
• Plastic-free(ish) party bags
• Carbon Literacy training
• The Sustainable(ish) Clubhouse

The Party Kit Global Map!

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I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one
Had you heard of Party Kits before? Have you got one near you?
Are you now going to rent one for your next party?
Or are you tempted to start one if there isn’t one available locally?
I would love the ripples to carry on and more party kits to pop up on the map after this episode.
Let me know in the comments!

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