6 ways to be more sustainable in 2023 

16/01/2023

As one of London’s most historic markets, sustainability has always been a key factor in how we run things around here. Not only do we use our platform to promote a plastic-free, eco-friendly lifestyle, but we lead by example too. From fighting food waste by partnering with Too Good to Go, to having a strict zero to landfill policy, we’re continuing to do our bit by taking small but steady steps into a more sustainable future.  

Want some tips on how you can do the same? Keep reading for some super simple and easy ways to incorporate sustainability into your daily routine. 

• Be a part of saving the planet one coffee cup at a time! Do you struggle to function without a morning caffeine hit? Next time you’re swinging by your go-to coffee shop, bring your own travel mug and ask for your drink to be made in that. Not only will you be reducing the number of single-use cups going to landfill, but your drink will also stay hot for longer. Many coffee shops offer a small discount for those who bring their own cups too, so make sure you check at the counter.  

• When is the last time you supported a small business? Spitalfields trader’s market is home to over 100 talented designers, creators, artists and makers, each one offering beautiful, handmade, one-of-a-kind wares that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. When you shop small, not only are you supporting our much-loved community, but you’re also boosting the economy, supporting local jobs, encouraging talent and continuing to keep the spirit of Spitalfields well and truly thriving. 

• Not only is eating seasonal produce fresher, tastier and more nutritious due to it not having to travel so far from field to fork, it’s more environmentally friendly too! Opting for eateries offering an ever-changing menu to mirror the seasons reduces the demand for out of season produce and supports local farming. Did you know that David Galvin, of Galvin Bistrot and Bar and La Chapelle continues to go to Covent Garden Market every night to choose the finest produce for the chefs to serve up the very next day? It doesn’t get fresher than that! 

• We’ve teamed up again with the Love Not Landfill Clothes Bank Project to encourage our lovely visitors to donate old and unused clothing items to the clothes bank, where the team work hard behind the scenes to give once-loved items a second life. Find the bank in the walkway between Benefit Cosmetics and Barber Barber – you’ll spot it as soon as you enter the market.  

• Join us in the fight against food waste! With so much delicious food at Spitalfields, we hate to see any of it go unexperienced, so we’re working closely with Too Good to Go to help stop tasty meals unnecessarily going in the bin. Simply download the TGTG app, check the availability and collect your magic bag from your selected eatery for a fraction of the price – win win! 

• Have you been to check out Loot Vintage yet? This trendy new store on Market Street is championing vintage and second-hand clothing. The team hand-pick pieces from across the globe, amalgamating and reworking styles, eras, traditions and cultures, and curate them at their brand new Spitalfields store, making it easier than ever to shop stylishly and sustainably. 

Want to find out more about how committed Spitalfields Market is to sustainability? Check out our ESG page on the website here.