Supporter of the week: Susie Hewson

Hannah Booth

03 November 2011

To celebrate Friends of the Earth's 40th anniversary, I've been talking to some of the supporters who've made it all possible. Susie Hewson (right) is in business and has championed recycling for more than 30 years.

"In the late 70s, before people really knew about recycling, our small, ramshackle Friends of the Earth group in Basingstoke organised newspaper collections - to raise funds.

"We canvassed door to door, convinced people to save up their newspapers, collected them in a van every Friday, and took them to a paper merchant.

"We even started selling recycled loo-rolls. They were dark pink and a bit rough. People were intrigued to learn you could make useful products out of old newspaper.

"Every action we did was self-organised.

Our aim was to educate people about issues, bit by bit. I loved it all, and it helped make me the person I am today.

"I think my love of the environment started from my Dad taking me to his allotment. I grew up in inner-city Nottingham and this contact with nature, however small, was very precious. It stayed with me.

"I founded Natracare in 1989 when I became aware of dioxin pollution from the manufacture of women's sanitary products. We're now in 54 countries.

"You should always wave your banner about causes you feel passionate about. But you should try to take action too."

If you're passionate about environmental issues, and want to take action, why not join your local group.

Next week: Codes in the Clouds. To see all the supporters I've interviewed, visit our 40th anniversary gallery.

Hannah Booth also writes Lives Less Ordinary