How to Cut your Carbon Footprint in London

In the heart of London, a growing community of environmental advocates are paving the way for a more sustainable future. And, at LHA London, we are certainly not complaining.

Whether you’re an eco-explorer eager to uncover sustainable practices or simply a Londoner looking to navigate the city with a reduced impact on the world around you, these insights and tips for the eco-explorer will give you the freedom to leave a positive mark as you embark on your adventure around the big city.

Choose eco-friendly transport

1. Walking

Walking is, undoubtedly, one of the most eco-conscious ways to travel around London. On foot, the only energy you will emit is your own, which will not only aid the health of the planet, but improve your own health too.

Walking allows you to discover London’s hidden gems that you might have missed had you sailed past on the train or bus. You’ll likewise be unlikely to get caught in the congestion of London’s roads, which contributes to carbon emissions.

So switch up that 5 minute bus journey for a 20 minute walk and start your day right by throwing yourself head first into the city’s glorious hustle and bustle.

2. Cycling

If you like the fresh air but prefer to get to places with a bit more momentum, then opting for bicycle travel could be the way to go. There are a number of cycle routes around the city that are safe and easily accessible so hop on your bike and get peddling.

Santander Cycles

If you don’t own your own bike, you can rent one from the city’s public bike-sharing scheme, Santander Cycles, for a convenient and eco-friendly way to explore London on two wheels.

All you need to do to access the bikes is:

• Download the Santander Cycles app
• Go to your nearest docking station and pay by card
• Hire with a membership key

E-Bikes

If you cycle regularly and feel a regular bicycle would be too much, you could invest in an electric bike. These will take the strain off your body as you cycle, whilst ensuring you still get regular exercise into your routine. Just make sure you have a safe and secure place to store it to prevent theft.

3. Bus

London’s iconic buses aren’t just a staple of life in the big city, or a convenient method of transport. They are now either low or zero emission vehicles, making them a fantastically eco solution to travelling in the capital.

Luckily, they are also everywhere you look and can take you to almost any place within Central London. Use London’s journey planner to discover the closest bus route to your location and student accommodation, and find out where in the city it’ll take you.

4. The London Tube

Whilst the London Tube is still one of the more energy-costly methods of transport, its capability of carrying thousands of passengers around the city without the need for individual cars.

Of course, it is always possible to reduce the time you spend on transport that is less eco friendly by switching up your journey to part train track, part walking.

Find your local zero waste shop

Zero waste shops are a gem of modern life, allowing people to shop not only in a more sustainable way, but also as we would have done before plastic took over the high street.

One of the most common misconceptions about living sustainably is that it is more expensive than shopping in supermarkets, but when it comes to food, shopping ethically can actually be kinder to your budget. As a student or young person, this can make living in London that little bit cheaper.

How do zero waste shops work?

Zero waste shops usually operate on a ‘bring your own packaging’ basis. Food, including pastas, cereals and flours will be sold loose and all you need to do is bring a container of your choice, and you pay by weight. This can also give you more freedom when it comes to shopping within your budget.

Refill shops don’t simply sell loose food, and can be a fantastic place to source household cleaning products (bring your own bottle), reusable sanitary items and other packaging-free goods.

Zero waste shops in London

London itself is a treasure trove of sustainable living, and this means you can find a zero waste shop almost everywhere you go. We would recommend taking a trip to the shops below to discover exactly what is available to you when you decide to cut your carbon footprint:

1. Kilo:
   

Based on Holloway Road, Kilo is the ideal spot for picking up all of your home essentials, including baking ingredients and utensils, frozen foods, pet accessories, toiletries, gifts and even their own containers. Every product is sourced in bulk, without disposable packaging and from local suppliers where possible to reduce their environmental impact.

Kilo offers delivery options, but to really minimise your carbon footprint, put one foot in front of the other and walk your way to their responsibly-run shop.

2. Zero Waste Bulk Foods

Zero Waste Bulk Foods are organic certified and deliver nationwide, including across London, but they also offer a collection service for your convenience. Your groceries and toiletries will be sent to your home in reusable packaging which you return so they can use it again following professional washing to ensure it is food-safe once again.

This makes them one of the most efficient and convenient zero-waste shops in London.

3. BYO London

BYO stands for ‘Bring Your Own,’ and when you shop at their low impact shop in Tooting, you are encouraged to do just that. When you pop along with your own storage, you leave with wholefoods, household detergents and toiletries that will set you up for the month ahead.

4. The Source

The Source has a total of six shops in London covering Crouch End, Battersea, Chiswick, Richmond, Putney and West Hampstead. They believe in fostering a sustainable community through a joint passion for living a zero waste lifestyle, and passion for food.

Their range of vegan cleaning products makes it easy for those who wish to live more consciously, with consideration for all life on the planet.

5. Jarr Market

If you’re in Stoke Newingham, take a look at Jarr Market, a packaging free shop that is flexible on the options it offers. Feel free to bring your own packaging to their shop, but if you forget or don’t have anything free, their range of reusable containers have you covered. All of the essentials are at your disposal.

If none of these options are convenient for you to get to, have an exploration in person or online to find an option more suited to your lifestyle.

Eat Green

Cutting your carbon footprint extends to your leisure time, as well as the essential parts of your day. This means that when you eat out, or have a drink with your friends at your local pub, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure you remain conscious, whilst continuing to live it up.

Sustainable restaurants

Whether you’re spending quality time with your family, or bonding with buddies, restaurants provide the ideal atmosphere, but you don’t need to compromise on your carbon footprint cutting ethics when you dine at any of the glorious sustainable eateries in London. Some of our favourites include:

1. Silo

Silo was one of the first zero waste restaurants worldwide. Originating in Australia and eventually making its way to Hackney Wick in London, Silo’s menu is based on the principles of natural farming and closed loop cooking. They pride themselves on demonstrating the highest quality of food through their recipes with options for all.

This is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.

2. Mildreds

The ethos behind veganism is growing steadily within the sustainable community, and Mildreds is just one of the wonderful restaurants in London that celebrates the plant-based diet. Combining the cuisines of Latin America, Italy and other favourites, this chain breathes life into global dishes with a vegan twist.

Mildreds restaurants are open in:

• Soho
• Covent Garden
• King’s Cross
• Camden
• Dalston

3. Neat Burger

Neat Burger London gives you the greasy burger of your dreams but in vegan form. They believe the coolest thing a person can do is save the planet, and they use food to do exactly that. They’re so cool, in fact, that they’ve partnered with the Eden Reforestation Project and are backed by Lewis Hamilton.

Too Good to Go

Too Good To Go is the breakthrough app that lets you find unsold but still perfectly tasty food at a discounted price before it’s thrown out. You can find food from your local favourite spots whether that’s a restaurant, grocery shop or cafe.

This incredible company was designed to prevent the enormous volume of food waste that accumulates each year. By minimising food waste, you’ll not only prevent tonnes of food from ending up in landfill, but also reduce the impact caused by unsustainable mass farming.

Go artisan

Artisan cafes are more than a leisurely spot where you can live your best life with a book and chai latte. In fact, they provide a more eco-conscious alternative to large chain coffee shops that rely on mass imported products.

Some sustainable artisan cafes in London include:

• Clean Heart Coffee & Organics
• Ethical Bean Company Coffee Shop
• The Good Life Eatery
• Farmgirl
• Deliciously Ella
• Cupcakes and Shhht

Buy second-hand

Clothes, furniture and other textiles are the way we decorate ourselves and our lives, but the impact their production has on the planet is extraordinary. From the creation of oak tables contributing to deforestation, to clothes dye polluting waterways, the process of generating these items can be minimised and even prevented with a thrifty touch and a conscious mind.

Charity shops

Charity shops provide a stable system that rethinks the modern clothing cycle. Rather than items ending up in landfill, we can throw everything into a canvas bag and drop it on the doorway of our favourite charity shop, ready for a new life.

The beauty of charity shops is that you can search for almost anything you need at a discounted price. Clothes, furniture, books, gifts, children’s toys, home decor, kitchenware, artwork, even pet bedding.

These items will have come from local donations, and prevented the environmental cost of overseas shipping, packaging and production of brand new items, thus reducing the carbon footprint of your shopping.

Vinted/Depop

Apps such as Depop and Vinted give a person-to-person service that allows you to buy second hand clothing, homeware and accessories from their previous owner. Whilst it might not seem like the most glamorous way to shop, you’ll find some incredible wares without contributing to the pollution caused by clothing production and disposal.

Hunting on these platforms is also an excellent way to find one-off pieces.

For more information on how to stay thrifty and sustainable on a budget, take a look at our guide to London Shopping On A Budget: Bargains, Boutiques & Markets.

How to get involved in your community

If you’re interested in taking that extra step and engaging with your local eco-community, then London has plenty of projects, initiatives and groups that you can get stuck into.

Simply take a look at your borough online and you’ll find your people within no time.

If you want to make a difference in the big city, then LHA London wants to hear from you.

You could gain valuable experience and improve your English whilst giving back to the charitable work we do; helping young people find suitable accommodation in London and opening doors for better futures.

When you volunteer with LHA, you could unlock free accommodation with our other volunteers, allowing you to make friends along the way.

Volunteer with LHA London today.

For more information about how our charity can help you get set up in the big city, take a look at our available accommodation and don’t forget to check out our offer to discover what we can offer you.