Shop Small, Shop Green: Celebrating Earth Day by Supporting Small, Sustainable Businesses

As Earth Day approaches, there's no better time to reflect on the impact of our consumer choices and celebrate businesses that prioritise sustainability. While large corporations often dominate the market, small businesses are quietly leading the charge in sustainable practices and eco-friendly innovations. This Earth Day, let's shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes and explore the positive impact of choosing small, sustainable businesses for our planet, local economies, and communities.

Spotlight on Sustainable Small Businesses

Let's take a closer look at some inspiring, local small businesses that are leading the way in sustainable practices:

Prufrock Coffee: This cosy café sources its ingredients from local producers and small scale growers. Prufrock’s Kitchen offers a delicious range of seasonal, home-cooked food with ingredients such as dairy, fish, and meat sourced from UK producers.

Brick Lane Vintage Market: This vintage market is a sustainable and community-minded way to refresh your wardrobe while supporting local vendors. Brick lane houses boutiques from across the UK and Europe. By choosing vintage, you can reduce your environmental impact while embracing unique style and supporting small businesses.

Leather Lane Market: This market hosts over 100 vendors at times - lining the streets with cuisines from all around the world. Vendors often prioritise locally sourced and seasonal produce, cutting transportation emissions and backing local farmers. Food markets also encourage culinary diversity, uphold traditional food systems, and nurture community bonds, providing a greener alternative to conventional grocery shopping or fast food.

Kilo - Zero Waste Shop: This innovative grocery store eliminates single-use plastic packaging by offering bulk foods and reusable containers. They also partner with local farmers and producers to support the community while reducing food miles. There are many stores like Kilo all across London for you to support - The Source Bulk Foods, Jarr Market, and Art of Zero Living.

Tips for Conscious Consumerism

As consumers, we have the power to drive positive change through our purchasing decisions. Here are some tips for supporting sustainable businesses:

Do Your Research: Look for businesses that prioritise sustainability and transparency in their operations. Consider factors such as sourcing practices, waste reduction initiatives, and ethical labor standards.

Support Local: By supporting local businesses, you not only reduce your carbon footprint but also contribute to the vitality of your community's economy. Choose locally made products and services whenever possible.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Opt for products with minimal packaging or packaging made from recycled materials. Invest in reusable products such as water bottles, shopping bags, and coffee cups to reduce single-use plastic waste.

Shop Oh La La!: We are a local, eco-conscious business focused on minimal packaging where all components are fully recyclable. Our boxes are made from recycled materials and can be fully recycled throughout the UK, our stickers are recyclable and compostable and our plastic trays are recyclable. Every element of our packaging is designed to reduce its carbon footprint as we make our way to becoming a zero plastic business in the near future!

Happy Earth Day!