Salisbury's sustainable independents
One of the most pressing issues of our time is climate change and the impact we are all having on the world around us.
Many of us have been forced to think differently about how we live. We are looking to be more sustainable, more eco-friendly and kinder to the environment.
It’s not just us as individuals that are doing this, so are businesses – especially independents who can often make decisions about this kind of issue easier and quicker than the big chains and conglomerates.
As part of our Independents Month campaign, we have taken a look at some of the indie businesses with eco-credentials in Salisbury...
Mark Jones Eye Care, Fisherton Street
Mark Jones Eye Care have taken many steps to reduce their waste. They collect customers' old metal glasses and scrap the metal with money made then donated to local projects. They have also kept all their old plastic demo lenses from frames to use in an art competition with local schools later in the year. They are hoping this will teach future generations about upcycling and protecting our environment. And, if you head into the shop, they also have ECO frames in store that are made from recycled or sustainable materials.
etica Boutique, St Thomas’s Square
etica is a new ethical boutique in Salisbury. Etica actually means 'ethical' in Italian! They work hard to make sure all the products they stock are ethically produced. They have blankets, throws, bags and cushions all made from recycled plastic bottles. There are natural hand prepared aromatherapy diffusers, handmade soaps, fair-trade jewellery and all their bags and hangars are made from recycled products.
Lah Koh, Fisherton Street
The healthy eating restaurant is named after Bambusa Lako, a large species of bamboo. Bamboo is one of the world’s most sustainable products which, those behind Lah Koh say, perfectly represents their believes and vision for the future. The business takes steps to look after the environment by making sure their produce is sourced from environmentally conscious suppliers and served in compostable or recyclable packaging.
Naked Bagel, Market Square
Nagel Bagel is another Salisbury foodie venue that is putting the environment at the heart of what they do. Wherever possible, they use local and ethical food suppliers and their takeaway packaging is recyclable or biodegradable.
Sonder Coffee, High Street
Being environmentally friendly offers an extra perk at Sonder Coffee. If you take your own reusable cup they will give you an extra stamp on your loyalty card!
Scent & Colour, Cross Keys Shopping Centre
The products at Scent & Colour are all made with nature in mind. They hand-craft natural perfume by blending vegan essential oils. None of the perfumes are tested on animals. They are carefully handmade in Spain and registered by the CPNP – the European Portal for cosmetics – which proves its origin, quality and fair trade.
Casa Fina, High Street
Casa Fina offers refills for Bramley products, including hair & body wash, hand cream, hand wash and hand sanitiser. This means you can keep and recycle the bottles, filling them up again rather than throw them away. They also recycle the polystyrene packaging they receive from deliveries by giving it to other local businesses. Some goes to The Cake Forge for use in demo cakes, the rest is offered to Kids Klobber, who re-uses it in packaging for mail orders.
Hairdressers
Many of our indie hairdressers are doing their bit for the environment.
Smith England on the High Street runs with the slogan: salon quality hair that doesn’t cost the earth. They produce a range of vegan, cruelty free products that are formulated with natural active plant extracts. Plus, Smith England – which was set up by leading celebrity hairstylist, Phil Smith - is one of the only salon brands to be fully sustainable. Every single part of their formulations and product packaging is made from ethically sourced recycled materials. The Phil Smith ‘Be Gorgeous’ range, which is also environmentally friendly and vegan and cruelty free, can be picked up in the Salisbury salon.
Muse Hairdressing on Winchester Street has an eco-friendly and sustainable ethos. They use and sell vegan products and also items that they know have been made through methods that are environmentally friendly.
Jas Hair on New Street uses 100% vegan Aveda products, which are cruelty free with no animal testing.
Share Salisbury
Although it’s not an independent shop, we think Share Salisbury deserves a mention here too. It is a new social enterprise which gives the community access to a ‘Library of Things’ to borrow either on a one-off basis or at reduced cost with membership plan. That way people don’t have to buy new, which is better for the environment. Things to borrow include hobby items, garden equipment, DIY tools and music instruments – there is a lot! Find everything they have to offer here.
This Independents Month, if you’re heading to some of the above, don’t forget to look out for our new Salisbury shopping bag! We’re giving them away to people who spend over £20 in selected indie businesses. Find a full list of the participating stores here.