AS more of us look to shop local and help save the planet, there are plenty of ways for York residents to go ‘green’.

There is no shortage of independent, ‘green’ retailers in the city and surrounding areas with options for plastic-free fruit and veg, small swaps and even an eco-friendly salon.

Tullivers, 1-2 Colliergate, York

Founded in 1983, Tullivers is a second generation family business which stocks more than 200 herbs, wholefoods, specialist teas, dried fruit and nuts and produce from local suppliers.

Stocking bread made with organic flour, tofu, honey and free range eggs - some of which is organically grown and fair trade – shoppers can reduce their food miles from its creation to the table.

What’s more, any energy used to power the business is from a green supplier and staff members use buses or bikes to get to work.

I Love Zero, Clarkes Lane, Pocklington

Theresa Brindley, who played nurse Cathy Power in ITV’s iconic soap opera Coronation Street between 1994 and 1995,  opened I Love Zero in Pocklington to offer customers a green alternative to buying dry goods from the supermarket in packaging.

Theresa is running the shop with her partner Paul Cusick and the support of their children Thomas, Jessica and Rosie.

Where possible the family business, in Clarkes Lane, is completely free of packaging as well as being organic. Customers are invited to take their own containers, or they can purchase them in store or ask for a paper bag.

They source UK dried goods alongside other sustainable products. All items are chemical and preservative free, body care items are cruelty free, and they aim to build up a range of green household products and gifts with minimal packaging. All products are vegan too.

The Giftery and the Shop of Small Changes, Burton Stone Lane, York

Mel Metcalf, who has lived in Clifton for more than 20 years, set up two shops in one to help locals reduce waste.

The ‘Giftery’ area allows customers to purchase a range of gifts, cards and products made from recycled goods.

Meanwhile the ‘Shop of Small Changes’ section is a non-food zero waste shop in which customers can bring their own plastic bottles to stock up on various products including plastic free shampoo and conditioner, washing up liquid and cleaning products.

Before setting up her new shop , Mel owned a gift business for several years. They used to travel around music festivals selling gifts and promoting the zero waste products at those events.

Dogobees Eco Hairdressers, 13 Bootham, York

Former London hairdresser Laura Shackleton had managed hair salons in the capital for years before deciding it was time to move back to North Yorkshire.

Eventually settling in York, Laura set up Dogobees Eco Hairdressers, an eco and vegan friendly hairdressers – saving tons and tons of foil, PPE, waste colour, plastic, colour tubes, hair, eco towels and card going to landfill every day.

Speaking to The Press in January 2020, Laura said: "I want somewhere where you can still have your perfect colour and cut without the guilt damage it's causing to our planet."

The salon has since become a member of the Green Salon Collective.

Alligator Wholefoods, 104 Fishergate, York

This shop has sold an array of organic, wholefoods and vegetarian products since 1972 with locally sourced products for all your cooking needs.

Described as “low waste eco-friendly shopping” on its website, there is also a range of over 40 chocolates which includes organic and fairtrade bean to bar chocolate from Austria.

Customers can measure out exact amounts of what they wish to buy, including essential pantry items such as flour, rice, dried fruit, cereal and nuts from sacks.

The shop also has re-fill stations for eco-friendly household cleaning products, shampoos and conditioners, hand wash and other body care products – none of which have been tested on animals.

Fruitique, 6 Bishopthorpe Road

This shop sells a colourful range of fruit and vegetables including seasonal favourites.

Customers celebrate the shop on one of York’s most well-known and community-oriented streets for its plastic free approach to packaging.

Writing on its Facebook page, one reviewer said: “Great shop - reduce your plastic, buy loose veg and fruit,  buy milk in glass bottles and return bottles.”

I Am Reusable, York

Home-grown brand ‘I Am Reusable’ was started in 2017 by Julie McGall in an effort to tackle the waste of single-use cups at coffee shops around the UK.

For every cup sold, the company will provide a cup of Yorkshire Tea - or other hot drink - to homeless people in York at the Spurriergate Centre.

Speaking to The Press in 2017, Julie said: “Coffee cups are only used for about 20 minutes at a time really, then they end up in landfill for potentially hundreds of years, so that’s no use at all.”

The cups can be bought in select café’s around the York area while you can also visit the website www.iamreusable.co.uk

The Bishy Weigh, 1 Bishopthorpe Road

The Bishy Weigh has a huge selection of items to help you fill your cupboards in a more eco-minded fashion while reducing the amount of packaging people use by selling items loose or with sustainable wrapping.

Customers can find anything from store cupboard staples, pulses, nuts and dried fruits, cereals, oils, herbs, spices and seasonings to baking essentials and syrups.

You can also stock up on loose tea or coffee as well as purchase plastic-free toiletries, household cleaning items and more.

This shop is also a drop off point for certain Terracycle items that are collected by St Nicks. 

Shared Earth, 1 Minster Gates, York

Shared Earth began as a small shop in York in 1986 when Jeremy Piercy, founder and managing director, returned from his international travels and wanted to help address wealth inequalities in the world.

The shop focuses on recycled and sustainable products while focusing on avoiding child labour, paying workers fairly and making sure working conditions are acceptable.

It is more well-known as an “eco and ethical” shop with collections including homeware, fragrance, accessories and clothing.

The shop has a selection of eco-friendly goods – from reusable mugs, elephant dung stationery, plastic free toiletries to leaf plates and tin can ornaments.

Take a trip to York's markets

With several top markets dotted in and around the city centre, why not bring your own bags or bees-wax food wraps and pick up loose fruit, veg or meat from your nearest market?

You could visit the Shambles Market, York's Street Food Market, Sheriff Hutton Village Market and Easingwold Market.