GOING GREEN IN PALMERS GREEN

On World Earth Day, we take a look at what is on offer on the high street to help you be more environmentally responsible.

Let’s talk fast fashion

Palmers Green has a great selection of charity shops but if you find rummaging through racks of clothes a bit overwhelming, then Philanthropy have got you. They beautifully curate their second hand and vintage clothing, making it a lot less daunting. They also have some fabulous unique, upcycled pieces. Shun fast fashion and do pay them a visit. They are also open to donations.

Make do and mend!- Stitch have lots of classes to help you learn how to make your own clothes as well as alter or repair your existing wardrobe favourites.

If alterations aren’t for you then head to Olivia’s Dry Cleaners who can not only sort out that dogy zip or take in a pair of trousers, they offer a cleaning service to give your favourite designer shoes and bags a new lease of life, saving you money and reducing waste.

For kids clothes then check out the new pop-up, Mini Garms for gorgeous shoes and clothes for your little ones.

Health and beauty

Both Nirvana Health and Holland and Barrett have a range of health and beauty products to suit all budgets. Many of these brands are vegan and are made with natural ingredients which don’t damage the planet. Check out the shampoo bars as well as sustainable sanitary products. Better for you and better for the environment! Nirvana Health also offer a refill service for some of those bathroom essentials, like shower gel and soap, helping to cut down on your single use plastics.  

Fruit and veg

Did you know we had fruit and veg bag scheme right on our doorstep? Enfield Veg Company can provide you with a regular bag of organic veg, lots of which is sourced from Forty Hall farm, delivered weekly to Holtwhites Bakery from as little as £7. They also do fruit bags which you can order regularly or as and when you need a fruity fix. A great way to reduce food miles. If you want to reduce your food waste, both Yaser Halim and The Lemon Food Centre sell fruit and veg lose, so you only need to buy what you need.

If you were considering going vegan then Palmers Green has one of the best vegan restaurants in London . Genesis offer tasty creative meat alternatives, both eat in and takeaway.

Cleaning

All those harsh cleaning products in single use plastic are doing terrible damage to our seas and waterways. You can reduce your impact by swapping for eco-friendly alternatives. Amy’s Housewares has a great selection of sustainable eco products. They also stock citric acid, a quick chemical free way of descaling the kettle and bicarbonate of soda for destroying limescale.

Nirvana Health have a great range of environmentally friendly cleaning products and they offer a refill service for many of the Ecover cleaning product range.

Recycling

As well as your regular curb-side recycling collections here’s where you can recycle other bits and pieces instead of sending them to landfill:

Batteries – the mini Sainsbury’s has a drop off point

Small electricals – small electricals like hairdryers, chargers and toasters can be recycled at the drop off point in Morrisons carpark.

Plastic bags – carrier bags, salad bags etc which can’t be recycled via the Council recycling can be taken to Morrisons. They have a collection point in store by the lifts.

Books – The Red Cross bookshop welcome donations to add to their fantastic range of books

Clothes and toys – the charity shops are always open to donations and many will take toys too

Furniture - Give a Dog a Bone will take furniture donations and Barnet Furniture offer a collection service

SodaStream cylinders – if  you have a SodaStream, you can exchange your empty cylinders at Amy’s Hardware  

Bikes – Bikes for Good Causes, just over the North Circular have a range of second hand bikes for sale and they also take donations.

 Have you got any other top tips for helping the planet? Drop them in the comments below and lets really make Palmers green!