In an age of fluctuating fashion trends and disposable clothing, apparel maker Patagonia is on a mission to change how people think about clothes. So what exactly are they selling?

A new $700 billion opportunity has emerged from the unlikeliest of places: the bin. As sustainability goes mainstream, smart businesses are adding value to their brands by making sustainability cool, cost-effective and convenient.

Each year, almost half of the world's food is thrown away. Putting the wasted food to wider social and commercial use, start-up Rubies in the Rubble makes gourmet chutneys from surplus fruit and veg.

Whether austerity, environmental concerns or the need for tangible achievement, consumers wanting a more hands-on approach to consumption can now turn to the Fixperts – designers keen to help the public understand how to fix everyday grievances.