If you’re passionate about sustainable practices, you’ll be thrilled to know that East London offers a treasure trove of low-impact shops, restaurants, and community spaces. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of must-visit places for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Low Impact and Zero-Waste Shopping
Zero Waste Bulk Foods, E10
Delicious, ethical zero-waste groceries delivered in reusable packaging.
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Stone Mini Market, E11
Stone Mini Market was voted one of Leytonstone’s most loved shops, featuring a zero-waste refill store and a bottle shop to support small breweries from around the UK.
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Greener Habits, E17
Vegan, plastic-free and sustainable essentials shop offering beauty, cleaning, food and homeware products as well as garden and children’s items in Walthamstow.
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Nourished Communities
Nourished Communities represents over 200 independent growers and producers. As Farmers Markets, they are 100% committed to supporting local small-hold farmers and producers.
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Support Local
Soapsmiths
Soapsmiths is a luxury hand, bath & body care company founded in Walthamstow. All products are handmade from recyclable, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and natural ingredients.
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Draft Drop
Draft Drop is the milkman – but for beer. Delivering locally sourced draught beers and wines to East & North London weekly, in reusable bottles, to your doorstep by bike.
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SAW Chocolate, E17
Delicious handcrafted artisan chocolate that’s made in Walthamstow.
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Jo & Kesi, E11
Supporting independent makers in Leytonstone with a range of products including jewellery, candles, homeware plus ladies’ and children’s clothes.
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Phlox Books, E10
Phlox Books Today offers the best selection of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books pairing books with a fully integrated bar/café serving locally roasted Allpress Coffee, local craft beers such as Beavertown and delicious wines.
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Sustainable Restaurants
Silo, E9
Silo is an innovative restaurant that prioritises environmental respect and nutrition by creating food from its whole form, minimising food miles, over-processing, and preserving ingredient integrity.
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The Spread Eagle, E9
The Spread Eagle is London’s first fully vegan pub on Homerton High Street, offering sustainability with a seasonal plant-based menu, a warm, inclusive atmosphere and a focus on celebrating diverse cultures.
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Black Cat Café, E5
Black Cat Café, Hackney is a vegan cafe committed to promoting plant-based living, offering tasty food, supporting independent business, advocating for various causes, and providing a space for education and awareness, with vegan products and a bookshop run by Active Distribution.
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The Culpeper, E1
The Culpeper’s contemporary English bistro emphasises regenerative farming, waste reduction, and offers an ever-changing three-course menu of elevated yet straightforward dishes, complemented by a weekly aperitif and digestif.
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Personal Wellbeing
Walthamstow Wetlands
For fresh air and a deeper connection to nature, visit the Walthamstow Wetlands. This nature reserve boasts a diverse range of wildlife, and it’s a paradise for birdwatchers. Take a guided tour to learn about the site’s history and conservation efforts or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll.
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Pause, E11
Pause is an air-conditioned yoga, barre, pilates and reformer pilates studio based in Leyton offering a range of classes plus pre and postnatal, and treatments from therapists and practitioners.
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East of Eden, E17
East of Eden is an inclusive, wellness hub based in Walthamstow, offering yoga, barre, hot yoga, Inferno Pilates, mat Pilates and reformer Pilates.
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Vintage Shopping
The Reloved Club, Various
The Re-Loved Club is a community fashion resale market.
Instagram Link
Go East Vintage, Various
A fun, festival atmosphere combining sustainable shopping, music, eating and drinking under one roof.
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Hackney Flea Market, Various
Hackney Flea Market is a monthly curated event, offering marketeers, and creative independents, a space to sell their wares, and promote their business.
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Brick Lane Vintage Market, E1
Brick Lane Vintage Market has over 40 independent traders, making it London’s biggest vintage clothing market.
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Wood Street Indoor Market, E17
Wood Street Indoor Market is a unique historical market with 30 amazing little shops selling everything from vintage clothing, antiques, vinyl, jewellery, toys, leather goods, gifts, plants and more.
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Charity Shops
The Salvation Army, E17
‘Sally in The Stow’ offers affordable pre-loved clothing, furniture and other goods.
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Oxfam Shop E17
Oxfam Walthamstow offers clothes, shoes, homewares, books, toys and more.
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British Heart Foundation, E17
BHF Walthamstow offers a great range of preloved items and new items, from clothing, shoes and accessories to books, toys and homeware.
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Sue Ryder, E17
The Sue Ryder Walthamstow charity shop stocks a wide range of quality yet affordable clothing, books, toys and household items.
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Scope, E17
Scope Walthamstow sells a range of items including books, bric-a-brac, clothes, accessories, homewares and music.
TRAID, E17
TRAID Walthamstow sells high-quality second-hand clothes for women, men and kids, plus homeware, accessories, books and more.
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TRAID, E8
TRAID Dalston sells high-quality second-hand and vintage clothes, shoes and accessories for women and men including saris and African clothing. Plus homeware, books, haberdashery, linen and a great range of children’s clothes.
British Heart Foundation – Furniture & Electrical Store, E11
Offering a great range of quality preloved furniture, electricals and homewares from sofas, tables, beds and wardrobes to TVs and home appliances.
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