Food and shopping

The production, transport and consumption of goods contributes significantly to climate change and other environmental concerns such as water pollution and land degradation. The rubbish we put out every week can be traced back to the products we buy. You can reduce this impact by making greener choices about what you buy and where you do your shopping. In the process you will be using your influence as a consumer to direct the market towards providing more sustainable products and services.

What can I do?

Say 'no' to plastic

Don’t forget to say ‘no’ to plastic bags when out and about shopping. Instead try taking your own re-usable bag(s) with you.

Reduce your food miles

Visit local shops to avoid creating your own food miles and buy regional and seasonal products or directly from producers to cut out lengthy distribution chains (e.g. at Farmers’ markets).

Visit a farmers’ market

You can buy high quality fresh, seasonal and regional produce directly from farmers and producers at any of the borough’s three Saturday farmers’ markets.

• Barnes - Essex House, Station Road: 12 noon to 4 pm
• Richmond - Heron Square: 11 am to 3 pm
• Twickenham - Holly Road Car Park: 9 am to 1 pm

For more information visit the BBC’s Food Matters page on Farmers’ markets.

Look at the label

Green labels can help you identify products which are less harmful to the environment. Each will have a different sustainability focus. Phrases like “environmentally friendly” and “kind to nature” as well symbols of globes, trees and flowers mean nothing unless they come with a green label or explanation of what is being done to help the environment.