Conscious Consumerism: Supporting Sustainable shopping on Gloucester Road
Gloucester Road is undoubtedly one of Bristol’s most popular attractions. Boasting a wealth of independent stores, renowned restaurants and cafes, and a plethora of lively bars and pubs, the 1.7 mile stretch of the city is crammed with things to do and see.
The area is also known for its abundance of sustainable options for mindful shoppers. From greengrocers to butchers, clothing to coffee shops. If you want an eco-friendly option, you’ll likely be able to find it on Gloucester Road.
In this article, we’ll share five establishments who have sustainability at their core, each offering a delightful range of ethically-sourced, organic, and eco-friendly products.
Green Woods Furniture
Furniture might not be the first product category you consider when making the move to sustainable shopping, but if you’re wanting to eat, sleep and breathe eco-friendly living, then it is definitely one you should consider.
Green Woods make customisable glue-free furniture out of ethically sourced materials, such as ‘chemical-free’ natural wood. They even stock organic mattresses and bedding, and have recently released their unique eco bean bags, filled with compostable biofoam.
Check them out at the base of Gloucester Road for organic beds, bedding and unique local artwork.
Scoopaway
Bristol was voted the UK’s most sustainable city in 2021, so there is no shortage of Zero-waste food shops in the city,
Scoopaway is a great example. It has been helping Bristol residents reduce their waste for almost 40 years, by encouraging shoppers to bring their own reusable containers and fill them from dispensers. This not only reduces the amount of plastic packaging required, but also means less food is wasted.
You can stock up on nuts, grains, cereals, pasta, dried fruits, spices and a plenty more from their bulk stock. There is also a great range of gluten and dairy free products and you can even get your hands on a whole host of natural bodycare products.
Ottowin shop
Just across the road from Scoopaway, is Ottowin Shop, where you can find ethically made clothes, jewellery and a whole host of sustainable crafts.
The store has its own handmade shoe studio, which produces less than 200 pairs of shoes a year, each crafted from leather from a Bristol based traditional tannery and designed for longevity and timelessness.
You can even attend a course on bootmaking if you want to fully immerse yourself in sustainable living, with the option of creating a pair of sandals, boots or fitted boots.
Futureleap
At the base of Gloucester Road is a funky looking building which contains the Future Leap Coworking space. More than just a collaborative space, Future Leap is a hub for hosting environmental events, eco consultancy, sustainable shopping and an ethical Cafe/deli.
FutureLeap creates a vibrant platform for individuals and organisations to connect, share knowledge, and collectively work towards a greener and more sustainable Gloucester Road.
Harvest
Last on our list is Harvest, another Gloucester Road gem encouraging conscious consumerism, just a short walk from Future Leap.
In addition to the wide range of zero-waste, sustainable products you would expect to find, there is an impressive array of locally sourced fresh produce, all in season with a minimal carbon footprint.
They are also part of the Bristol’s Essential Cooperative- a coop specialising in vegan and vegetarian whole foods.
If you’re after a guilt free treat, Harvest also has a deli serving locally sourced lunches and snacks, including gluten free, vegan and diabetic-friendly options.
Final Thoughts
So, there you go! Whether you’re embracing a zero-waste lifestyle, trying to shop locally or you’re after some sustainable fashion, Gloucester Road is the place to go. You’ll also be helping some great independent businesses while you’re at it.
Written by Eleanor Keech