The past two seasons in Ibiza have been quieter than usual. With the clubs shut, the party masses have stayed away. The silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic was that the reduced number of tourists to Ibiza over the past two years gave the island’s sensitive ecosystem a much-needed break. With a local population of just 152,000, the island on average welcomes 3 million visitors a year during peak season from May to October. This places the island’s land, water, and ecosystems under serious pressure.\n\nIn a similar vein to how the Eavis family - owners of the Glastonbury festival site in Somerset - give the land a breather to recover every four years, Ibiza was able to rejuvenate during the past two years of downtime. According to analysis from local environmental body IbizaPreservation, CO2 emissions on the island dropped a staggering 98% during the first lockdown between March and May 2020. Residents reported that the water was looking cleaner and local wildlife including dolphins, rare birds, and even turtles nesting on the beaches were seen to be flourishing.\n\nBut unlike Glastonbury, Ibiza can’t take a breather every few years, and much of the island’s economy depends on the tourist season. As the island prepares to welcome hordes of tourists for this summer when the clubs open again, demand for eco-friendly hotels for sustainably-minded tourists is at an all-time high. Ibiza is a leader in sustainable tourism and favoured for its Agrotourismo – farms with accommodation. Strict planning laws also mean that any new hotel developments must adhere to certain sustainability criteria. Sustainability is seriously important to us at Lick, and so is enjoying a good holiday. So, we’ve rounded up the top five options for an eco-friendly holiday on the White Isle.

Since opening more than twenty years ago, 12-bedroom luxury boutique hotel and organic farm \nCas Gasi\n has dedicated itself to sustainability. Nestled deep in a terracotta-soiled valley near celebrity hangout Santa Gertrudis, the small hotel is based in a cosy 19th-century farmhouse which has been restored by its owners by embracing true Ibiza style, including mismatched upcycled furniture and paintings by local artists. The grounds are home to more than 450 olive trees and the hotel has introduced even more measures to improve their ambitious environmental targets ahead of the summer 2022 season.\n\nOwner Margaret von Korff has recently re-designed the vegetable garden to a ‘no-dig’ system. This is all about feeding the soil, not the plants. It leaves the soil undisturbed so that organisms can work and multiply organically. The organic produce that is grown on the land goes from farm-to-table and is farmed using clean working habits by going back to basics and using simple brooms and pruning methods with scissors. All of the hotel’s vehicles are electric and there are plenty of charging points on site for guests to charge their electric cars – perfect for zipping to one of the island’s nearby beaches.

\nOKU Ibiza\n on the Western side of the island - near party-hub San Antonio - is another new addition to Ibiza’s luxe hotel line-up. The 189-bedroom hotel opened last year and offers a laid-back, 70’s bohemian appeal. Designed by the hotel’s in-house design team and with local architecture firm MG&AG Arquitectos, OKU’s rooms use minimal earth tones, embracing the Japanese design philosophy of wabi-sabi, which is all about connecting to the earth with the use of natural materials. There’s plenty of oak, rattan, hessian, and stone featured throughout the property – all classic Ibiza textures that blend easily into the island’s environment.\n\nAs a recent hotel development, OKU has had to meet strict sustainability criteria. The hotel tracks its energy usage by using LED technology throughout, as well as motion sensor lights in all public areas. The hotel was designed with a wooden façade which helps to naturally control the climate and keep temperatures cool throughout the property. All of the furniture used in the hotel has been handmade using organic materials and the spa uses local ingredients for all of its holistic treatments.

Opening a hotel in the middle of a pandemic was a brave thing to do, but \nSix Senses\n has already become a popular choice for both holiday makers and locals looking to explore its stunning facilities since opening last year. Designed by architect and developer Jonathan Leitersdorf and set in the quieter North of the island at Xarraca Bay, Six Senses has set the bar high in its combination of luxury facilities with a strong sustainable ethos. The hotel features 116 rooms, including cave suites that have been built into the cliffs – perfect for those not yet ready to shake their troglodyte tendencies post-lockdown.\nAs well as farm-to-table dining and a sustainable fashion boutique, Six Senses is also powered by its own renewable energy source and has ambitious zero-waste and zero single-use plastic targets. There’s also a 400-year-old olive press on-site, where guests can take part in growing organic produce. It is the first resort in the Balearic Islands to receive a BREEAM certification – one of the world’s leading assessments of sustainability in the built environment.

As you thread through the valley on windy dirt roads to find this secluded spot in the centre of the island, when you reach \nCan Lluc\n there is no doubt that you are getting away from it all. Owned and managed by husband and wife Tina Soriano and Lucas Prats, Can Lluc offers a family-friendly sustainable holiday. Set in an estate dotted with thousand-year-old pine, carob, fig, and olive trees, the hotel was originally Lucas Prats’ grandfather's home and was converted by the couple in 2000 with local architect José Torres.\nIts laid-back style using neutral tones blends well with the countryside around it. Rooms feature stone walls and juniper wood ceilings from the original house, and many of the former tools from the farm have been upcycled as decorative pieces.  Can Lluc comprises of twelve rooms, eight villas, a pool, spa, and restaurant serving organic island staples. While you feel like you’re deep in the countryside, local village San Rafael is just a five-minute drive away. In March the hotel won an award for its sustainable efforts, which include offering responsible cosmetic products, supporting local biodiversity and the natural habitat, offering electric charging points for cars, recycling all its waste, and being single-use plastic-free.

\nCan Jaume\n is another gem in Ibiza’s Agrotourismo offerings. The 15-bed hotel on the outskirts of Ibiza town was originally a dairy farm, and although the cows have long since gone, many of the original features of the farm remain in a charming combination of rustic and modern design. The décor is subtle and compliments the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside which creates a soothing atmosphere.\n\nThe hotel offers all of its customers free chargers for electric cars, filters all of its own water so it is drinkable, has a strict recycling policy as well as banning single-use plastics. The hotel is surrounded by 2,500 orange trees which are an intrinsic part of Ibiza’s biodiversity, and the fruits are used to provide guests with fresh orange juice. Just 3km away from Ibiza town, Can Jaume offers a rural retreat on the doorstep of Ibiza’s bustling port offering the best of both worlds for sustainably-minded holiday-makers.\n\nAnd it’s not just Ibiza’s hotels that are adopting a sustainable approach. Check out Lick’s picks of \nLondon’s 6 best eco-friendly hotels\n. While it’s important that hotels are beginning to focus more of their operations towards sustainable approaches, these are not just habits that we should be adopting when we stay somewhere else, but are all things that we should be doing at home and in our everyday lives.

It was a blustery Sunday afternoon when we pottered on over to the leafy East London De Beauvoir neighbourhood to meet with Paul Holt, Creative Director at N1 Garden Centre. Housed in a former button factory, we first came across this urban space at last year’s \nRHS Chelsea Flower Show\n when this little London garden centre won ‘best in show’ for the first-ever Houseplant Studios category.\nWell, we’ve said goodbye to autumn and hello to spring. That’s why we thought there’d be no better time to chat with Paul about his top tips for novice gardeners and how to prep your garden for spring.\n
The clue is in the name, but what was your inspiration behind ‘Celebrate Autumn with Plants’ at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show? \nWell, it was such an unusual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, because of the pandemic, it was the first time in its 100+ year history it had been held in autumn. It had been such a tough time, we really just wanted to go to town with the autumnal colour palette and embrace it as a kid! Chestnuts, jumping into crunchy leaves—and of course, autumnal coloured plants like Coral bead, Orange king, Bird of Paradise, and Eternal Flame (plus a few pumpkins). Houseplants don’t have to be green!

Gardening saw a massive boom during the pandemic. Any tips for the novice gardener? \nFor anyone who started gardening during the pandemic, my top tip would be to just keep it up. I encourage anyone to tend to their plants as regularly as you can—for the well-being of yourself and your plants. Gardens take time, so the best time to start is \nnow\n. If you don’t succeed the first time, try again! It’s like exercise, you just need to stick with it.\n\nWhat do you predict the biggest garden trends of 2022 to be?\nGardeners are wanting to be more wildlife and environmentally friendly. As individuals, we’re thinking about how the plants we grow in our garden can help the city: pots full of wildflowers and pollinators for bees and insects. Going plastic-free and using reclaimed or recycled materials is another big one. We stock pots by the ‘Hairy Pot Co.’ which are a great alternative. In the warmer months, I think we’ll continue to see more people working from their gardens.\n\nFind out how you can \nrewild your garden\n.

Spring is finally here! What are your top 3 tips for gardeners to get their space ready for the summer season? \nKick everything into action with a good clean-up. Dead leaves and mulch are where bugs, pests, and diseases harbour so clear those out and give everything a good prune. If you leave your seed heads, cut off seed heads and dead leaves because you don’t want the new ones coming through.\nRe-pot, upsize, and add some slow-release fertiliser (this should keep you going through March to October).\nNow for the fun part: work out what you’re going to do with the rest of your space. If you’ve got lots of sun, go for some herbs.\nWhat are your favourite (almost) unkillable indoor and outdoor plants?\nThe \ncast iron plant\n. This got its name for good reason. Great for cold rooms and shady spaces, this will survive under almost any conditions. \nAny \nSyngonium\n varieties, otherwise known as the goosefoot plant. Tough and beautiful, they come in intricate patterns. Happiest in warm and moist conditions, so perfect for a bathroom. \nAnd finally, the ZZ plant is great for shade and, native to eastern African, it will tolerate forgetful waterers! \nYour top 3 eco-friendly gardening tips?\nOk, you asked for three but here are four! \nPlants for bees and insects (Geranium ‘Rozanne’ is a spreading plant that the bees will love all summer long).\nIf you can, grow your own veg. If you’re short for space, a window box of herbs and edibles will do the trick. And opt for organic fertilisers, compost, and seeds—it’s better for you and the environment.\nWhere possible, try and buy locally. This can be a little tricky, but local growers will usually have a label. A good indicator that it’s grown abroad is that it will have a plant passport.\nAnd lastly, go for peat-free compost. It’s not something a lot of us think about, but our peat bogs are really valuable ecosystems. It takes 100 years to form just 100 mm of peat! They’re full of carbon so when they’re dug up that is released.\n

And finally, what have you currently got growing in your garden?\nSo I’ve got a small garden, but it gets a lot of sun, so I’ve gone quite Mediterranean with two massive olive trees, a fig tree, yucca pine trees, and an agave plant. In the summer I grow asparagus in the shade and give my succulents a little summer holiday outdoors.\n\nWhere can you find Paul Holt and his work? Well, you can either head down to \nN1 Garden Centre\n in East London (or \nW6 Garden Centre\n if you’re in West London), or you’ll find them exhibiting once again at \nRHS Chelsea Flower Show\n from the 24th-28th May ‘22.

If you’ve ever dreamt about building your own home, you’ve most likely watched and swooned over \nChannel Four’s Grand Designs\n. Presenter and designer Kevin McCloud has been running the show for more than 30-years now. He has seen plenty of setbacks, budget disasters and fallouts throughout his tenure of more than 200 episodes. So, what’s the secret to making a design project, no matter how big or small, go smoothly? We caught up with him to find out how best to embark on your own Grand Design.\n\nWhat’s your advice to anyone undertaking their own design project for the first time?\nKM: “I say this to everybody, and I’ve been saying this for 30 years – the world is full of brilliant people that want to help. Whether that’s your aunt, your best mate, your uncle’s friend who happens to be a builder, or your local architect. We show such extraordinary self-competence as human beings - we think we can do everything. But putting up shelves is very different from building a house. Asking for help in our lives is not something that most of us are very good at doing, but it’s a really important thing to do. When you do, your blood pressure drops, your heart skips a beat and you feel good. Just asking for help from any human being is the first step.”

What advice do you have for people to try to help them stick to their budget?\nKM: “That’s a really good question because it cuts right to the essence of what it is to be a human being. We are a species in which hope drives us. It gives us our ambition and desire to change our world – to make a better living room or bedroom, to build a new house, or to change our street. All of these things are good motivations, but with hope comes desire and an inevitable drive to overreach. We think we will get more done in a day than we can and we think we will build a house cheaper than we actually do.”

It’s like they said in the military: ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’. If you plan and prepare it’s where you will save money.

“If you get a good quantity surveyor on board who can look at your project dispassionately and tell you how much it’s going to cost, then that’s a good start. It’s asking for help, and you need someone pragmatic to help you. It’s like they say in the military: ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail.’ If you spend three years planning a project you will spend three years building it, but if you spend five years planning a project then you may only spend one year building it. If you plan and prepare it’s where you will save money.”

What about dealing with setbacks in a project?\nKM: “The trouble is that on television we are used to seeing people get into trouble and then magically getting out of it. How did they do that? Usually by writing a very large cheque. Chequebook architecture, or spending your way out of a hole, is a lazy way of dealing with problems. I think that most of us forget that the best solutions are those which are thought about.”\n\n“We want things to be made good instantly in our lives, but that only happens with hard work, application, and thought. The best thing about us as a species is that we are creative and we can think our way out of problems. Don’t be duped by fairy tale stories – roll your sleeves up, sit down with those around you and share the problem to see how you can solve it.”

How is sustainability changing the way we design?\nKM: “Whereas the green home of 15 years ago might have had technology bolted on to it, now the sustainable home almost has an aesthetic. It can look like anything, but it should have thick walls and heavy concrete for cooling, triple glazing and external shading. These demands really affect how a building looks. Architecture is being driven by science and functionality, and the physics of the fact that summers are getting hotter and winters are getting wetter. As our weather patterns are changing, we are becoming much more aware of a need for resilience and so we are designing that into buildings and that’s changing the way that they look.”\nIf you could only choose one colour for an interior project, what colour would it be and why?\nKM: “As I get older, I’m fitting more into my socio-economic age group stereotype and I’m using more white. Here’s a piece of colour physiology: the average 70-year-old only has 12% of their colour receptor cells in their retina, so you need between seven and eight times as much light when you are older. If you ask a 25-year-old what colours they’re using to paint their house they use dark, rich and deep colours and they can because they’re in their 20s. Whereas I am at an age where I am thinking that I need five times as much light and I need everything to be white please.”\nTempted to embark on your own Grand Design project? We have all of the \ntools\n that you need to start your own home makeover. For more tips and insider info on how to get started, check out the \nlatest tips and tricks\n on our magazine.

Grand Designs Live will return to Excel London from 30th April – 8th May 2022.\nGrand Designs: The Streets airs on Wednesdays, 9pm on Channel 4.\nFor more information visit \nwww.granddesignslive.com\n.

It was a sunny, spring afternoon - with the sound of honking geese and the smell of hyacinths in the air - when we made our way through Hyde Park. Destination: The Magazine, arguably London’s sleekest lunch spot. Urban parks have become a lifeline to many city dwellers, no more so than Hyde Park, the city’s largest green space.\n\nOpening last summer, in the midst of more pandemic uncertainty, The Magazine, brought to you by Benugo, was the remedy to our covid woes. Housed in the late Zaha Hadid’s curvaceous extension of the Serpentine’s North Gallery, style, sustainability, and a seasonal flair abound at this triumph of contemporary architecture and the new wave of modern eco-dining.

The motto here is ‘maximum taste and minimum waste’. Head Chef, Tomas Kolkus has created a simple yet seasonal menu including charred kohlrabi, rope-grown mussels, and slow-roasted cauliflower. Working alongside the Cooking Sections Climavore project, the menu is created with the ‘new seasonalities’ resulting from the climate emergency.

Creating delicious food with minimum impact on the environment is the restaurant’s \nraison d’etre\n. Even the menu is printed on 100% recycled grass paper. It's this thought-provoking cooking, set against the backdrop of Zaha Hadid’s fluid and light-filled contemporary architecture, that creates a unique dining narrative. The setting is a work of art in itself. With that in mind, whilst you’re here, why not dine on culture as well as the cuisine and pop into The Serpentine Gallery for one of their year-round free exhibitions.\n\nAt the time of writing, you can catch Radio Ballads, the culmination of three years of work by artists Sonia Boyce, Helen Cammock, Rory Pilgrim and Ilona Sagar, this collaborative work was created with the social workers, carers, organisers and residents featured, exploring stories of labour, and who cares for who and in what way. Exhibiting until 29th May 2022. Or catch Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s sci-fi inspired Alienarium 5, from 14 Apr—4 Sep 2022.

So, whether you’re stopping for lunch or just grabbing a quick coffee for a stroll around Hyde Park or to take in the latest exhibition, \nThe Magazine\n remains one of London’s most stylish spots. For more sustainable guides to the UK’s capital, take a look at our round-up of \nLondon’s best eco-friendly hotels\n, \nLondon’s best eco-friendly bars and restaurants\n, and \nthe best sustainable homeware shops in London\n.   

In the consumer marketplace, it can be really difficult to separate the brands doing good from the brands claiming to do good. We are the sum of our actions, after all, so we thought we’d share 10 sustainable brands that are making big strides to change in the industry in which they operate. From reusable deodorants to an internet search engine that will plant a tree every time you look something up, these are the sustainable brands currently on our watch list.\n\nBy rotation\nMore than just a clothing rental app, \nBy Rotation\n is a platform where you can rent, lend, buy and sell designer fashion at a fraction of the retail price. The older sister that doesn’t mind your rummaging through her wardrobe, their motto is, “what’s mine is yours”. A community-led, eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion, there is even an option to donate proceeds from wardrobe rentals to your chosen charity.

HAIRSTORY \nWith the aim to give the haircare industry a good old clean, \nHAIRSTORY\n creates small-batch products that are 100% biodegradable and free from detergents or harmful chemicals that would otherwise end up down your drain. You can choose between recyclable pouches are refillable bottles, both reducing carbon emissions by up to 76% when compared to regular plastic bottle shampoos. Plus, a portion of their profits is donated to water conservation NGOs.\n\nPatagonia\nThe gold standard for big-brand sustainability, \nPatagonia\n received the UN Champion of the Earth award thanks to its environmental efforts and commitments to sustainability. They offer a free repairs service on almost all items and even ran a campaign recommending customers ‘\nDon’t Buy This Jacket\n’. For an in-depth look at the story behind the brand, take a read of founder Yvon Chouinard’s best-selling book, \nLet My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman\n.

TALA \nLargely made from synthetic fabrics, athleisurewear is one of the biggest pollutants in the fashion industry. Not \nTala\n. This UK-based company uses upcycled and eco-friendly materials like bamboo, wood pulp, and Q-Nova (a fabric using regenerated waste materials) to create comfortable and long-lasting athleisurewear, designed to fit \nevery\n body. What’s more, their packaging is recyclable and their labels are plantable.\n\nWho Give A Crap\nMade from sustainably sourced bamboo, switching to \nWho Gives A Crap\n means one less thing to worry about flushing down your loo. Founded when owners Simon, Danny, and Jehan learned that globally over 2.4 billion people don’t have access to toilet paper (make that 2 billion, thanks to their efforts). To date, they’ve donated over £6,000,000 to charities including Water For People, Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor, and Splash. Plus they’re the best-looking rolls of toilet paper we’ve seen to date.

ecosia \nPlant trees whilst you Google? Sorry, whilst you \nEcosia\n? A search engine that donates 80% of its profits towards reforestation NGOs across the globe, at the time of writing they have planted over 147,368,421 trees globally. But this number is climbing by the second. However, it’s not just about what they as a company have achieved, they’ll let you know how many trees your online searches have planted. If ever there was an excuse to get stuck in a Wikipedia wormhole…\n\nWild \nAn all-natural deodorant, \nWild\n is free from nasties like aluminium and aerosols. Its reusable, compostable, and plastic-free plus it comes in a range of fragrances from fresh cotton to candyfloss. Plus, for every deodorant they sell, a percentage of the profits goes to ‘On a Mission’s reforestation projects.

Sojo\nIf you’re like us, you’ll have a bag of clothes sitting in the corner of your wardrobe bound for the tailor “when you get round to it”. \nSojo\n makes getting round to it that bit easier. Connecting you with local tailors, Sojo’s fleet of cyclists will pick up and drop off your garments, usually within five days. Championing that long-forgotten ‘make do and mend’ attitude, it’s the antidote to fast fashion.
\nThe Common Good Company\nWe’re always wary of a company that claims they’re doing everything just right, so \nThe Common Good Company\n’s mantra of ‘Better, not perfect’ chimes with us. That said, they received the highest possible rating on the sustainability directory, \nGood On You\n (our go-to tool for finding sustainable fashion brands) so they must be doing something right. Designing comfy casuals made from recycled materials they reuse all their offcuts and minimise the use of chemicals and water in production. A label you can be proud to show off.

Bettercup\nThe world of toiletries tends to be a disposable one, but companies like \nBettercup\n are trying to change that, for the better. Whilst there are a number of reusable sanitary wear products out there, we think theirs is one of the best. Made from re-usable silicone, they’re not just about making the world of sanitary products a more sustainable one, but a more accessible one too. That’s why for every cup you buy they will donate one to the many charities that they support, like Irida Women’s Centre in Greece (a safe place for refugee, migrant, and local women) and PERIOD, a movement focused on eradicating period poverty.

We hope these sustainable brands help you create a more eco-friendly, waste-less home. Check out these \n7 eco-friendly home decor ideas\n or our picks of the \nbest zero-waste supermarkets\n.

Urban living and sustainability don’t always go hand-in-hand. So, when we’re exploring the concrete jungle we want to do it in the most environmentally conscious way possible. That’s why, be it on land or by water, we’re sharing our guide to the best environmentally-friendly activities in London so that you can discover the city with a clear conscience. \n\nExplore on foot \nLocations across London \nWhat could be more environmentally friendly than exploring the city on foot? Whatever your niche, \nLondon Walks\n has the tour for you. From Dickens’ London to the Beatles’ London—see the city through a new perspective. And up your step count whilst you’re at it. \n\nDiscover the city’s canals\nLocations across London \nGo electric with \nGo Boat\n and explore London’s waterways without contributing to their pollution. London’s first self-drive (yup, you read that right), electric boating company, you can be the captain of your own ship as you get behind the wheel and discover the city’s canals at your own pace. From the Docklands, Little Venice to Hampton Court embarkations run from East to West of the Thames.

Catch a carbon-neutral theatre show \n24 Ashwin Street, E8 3DL\nLess West End, more East End, Dalston’s \nArcola Theatre\n is committed to being the world’s first carbon-neutral theatre: solar panels, LED lights, and a heating system fuelled by scrap wood all contribute to this. Mixing the local, the national, and the international its roster of events champions inclusive and sustainably-minded events. Acknowledging that the cost of theatre can be prohibitive, they operate a ‘pay what you can’ scheme on Tuesday evenings.\n
\nTry your hand at being a farmhand \nLocation: 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA\nA city farm just around the corner from Columbia Road Flower Market, \nHackney City Farm\n is a bucolic oasis in an urban setting. Home to ponies, donkeys, sheep, pigs, and lots more their modus operandi is to help city dwellers learn about food, nature, and the environment. It also boasts a long list of activities and workshops, from pottery and painting to woodwork and bike maintenance. 

Learn how to cook the zero-waste way\nLocation\n: 15b Little Portland Street London W1W 8BW\nTouted as London’s ‘most sustainable’ cookery school, \nCookery School\n offers classes in more than the art of cooking, but how to do so without wasting. According to statistics, we each throw away almost 50kg worth of food annually. Cookery School teaches you how to make delicious food out of these ingredients that would otherwise be scrapped. What’s more, 100% of the energy used in the kitchens is renewable, and single-use plastics are banned—naturally.\n\nVisit London’s parks \nLocations across London \nBe they \nRoyal Parks\n or public gardens, London is home to 35,000 acres of parkland (equating to 40% of its total area) making it the greenest capital city in the world. From boating along \nHyde Park\n’s Serpentine, catching a play at \nRegent Park\n’s open-air theatre (May to September), \nHampstead Heath\n’s swimming ponds to urban gardening at \nEdible Landscapes\n in Finsbury Park—there is an abundance of enjoyable \nand\n eco-friendly activities to be found in the capital’s parks.

Visit a cinema that makes a difference\nLocation\n: 194b Chamberlayne Road, NW10 3JU\nNot only does \nThe Lexi Cinema\n have an impressive list of showings from indie films to box office smashes, but 100% of the profits go directly to The Sustainability Institute. Supporting training in ecological methods for local farmers, replanting of indigenous trees, as well as youth programmes, it uses the natural world to help teach. Oh, and on Mondays at 11 am you’ll find baby-friendly screenings for carers and parents. \n\nGet across town on two wheels \nMeeting point: platforms 1 & 2, Waterloo train station. \nWhether you’re jumping on a Boris bike or nipping across town with \nBrakeaway Bike Tours\n, on two wheels is by far one of the most eco-friendly ways to explore the city. More often than not it’s quicker than driving and much more fun than the tube, choose from the Grand London or Secret London bike tours, or book your own bespoke private guided tour.

If you liked our green guide to London’s best eco-friendly activities, then why not take a look at our picks of \nLondon's best eco-friendly homeware shops\n, \neco-friendly bars and restaurants\n, \nzero-waste supermarkets\n, and \neco-friendly hotels\n.

We love finding homeware shops that champion sustainable living, and with more and more popping up around the world, it’s getting easier to make eco-conscious choices when it comes to your home decor. If you’re looking for beautiful designs that not only look good but are good for the planet too, then you’ve come to the right place.  We’ve picked out some of our favourite eco-friendly homeware shops in London, to help make your house a greener place to be.

Not Just Another Store\nLocation: \n8-13 New Inn St, London EC2A 3PY \nBustling Shoreditch is where we lay our scene and as the name suggests, this is not your average store. An independent concept store in trendy east London, \nNot Just Another Store\n stocks a curated range of eco-conscious brands with a paired-back aesthetic. From furniture to tableware, if you’re something of a minimalist, then this might just be the shop for you.

Goldfinger\nLocation: \nTrellick Square, 13-15 Golborne Road, W10 5NY\nLocated within the Brutalist shadows of the iconic Trellick Tower, \nGoldfinger\n (named after the famed Trellick’s eponymous architect) is far more than just a design shop. An award-winning social enterprise, their aim is to create sleek and sustainable homeware that has a positive impact on the community and the planet, through their monthly \nPeople’s Kitchen\n and \nGoldfinger Academy\n––dedicated to training young people out of work.

Venner\nLocation: \n200 Francis Rd, London E10 6PR\nIf art is your thing, then get on down to \nVenner\n, where you’ll find an eclectic range of prints created by local artists “with kindness to people and the planet”. You’ll also find a charming collection of handmade ceramics, as well as home fragrances and eco-friendly beeswax candles.

Cuemars\nLocation\n: 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL\n“Buy less, buy better” is the motto behind the concept store, \nCuemars\n. Located in one of our favourite East London haunts, The Truman Brewery they stock an array of totally unique homewares, houseplants, prints, books, scents, and ceramics. They’re fastidious about their supply chain ensuring all of their wares are sustainably and ethically sourced.

Dilli Grey\nLocation: \n23 Barnes High Street, SW13 9LW.\nKnown for its ethically-made, organic cotton dresses, \nDilli Grey\n's foray into homewares has been a welcome one. Founder Vickie El-Rayyes is a woman on a mission to create an independent, ethical lifestyle brand that pays its workers fairly. Partnering with artisans across India, from napkins to bedspreads, their hand-block printed textiles will add colour and pattern to any room.

Karavan Eco Home\nLocation: \n167 Lordship Lane, SE22 8HX\nWith an online shop, you don’t \nhave\n to visit \nKaravan Eco Home\n’s East Dulwich store but if you do, you’ll get to meet Twotone, their resident cat. Alongside this amiable moggy, you’ll find a colourful range of ethically made and fairtrade homewares, from household cleaning products to handwoven rugs. In addition, all their packaging is re-used or recycled and all their energy and technology providers have been chosen because of their commitment to the environment. 

Restoration Station \nLocation: \n116-118 Shoreditch High St, E1 6JN
\nNot so much an eco-friendly shop as an eco-friendly \nwork\nshop, \nRestoration Station\n’s \nraison d’etre\n is to repair and restore vintage gems. Employing people in recovery from drink and drug addictions who learn woodwork and upholstery skills to restore old furniture, if you have a piece of furniture that needs restoring, you can get a quote from Restoration Station and feel good about doing it. 

Looking for eco-friendly homeware but not a London local? Fear not. Take a look at our guide to the best online eco-friendly homeware shops, or check out our \nColour Consultants’ go-to online homeware stores\n, which include a few sustainable favourites too.

We’re all about using our online presence as a force for good. Whether it’s sharing \nthe best zero-waste supermarkets\n or \nLondon’s best eco-friendly hotels\n, wherever possible we aim to make living sustainably that little bit easier. As do these sustainability creators. From plant-based advocates to going plastic-free, however big or small, these are the people making a difference on the road to a more sustainable lifestyle. \n\nPoppy Okotcha\nAn ecological home grower when she’s not off foraging, @\npoppyokotcha\n is teaching us how to create an edible and medicinal garden. An ambassador for \nNature is a Human Right\n, her Instagram is filled with useful how-tos and gardening inspiration. Check out her \nwebsite\n to sign up for her newsletter.\n\nWhy follow them? \nA big believer in gardening for small spaces Poppy says you can grow a garden’s worth of vegetables in just one planter.

Alice Aedy\nCo-founder of @\nearthrise.studio\n, @\naliceaedy\n is a documentary photographer, filmmaker, and campaigner focused on telling human stories of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis, refugee crisis, and the fight for women’s rights. A creative storyteller striving for a better future, her work has taken her across the globe, from COP26 to the Amazon rainforest.
\nWhy follow them? \nHer realistic approach to climate change: “If everyone had to be perfect, we would have a very small movement.”

Jack & Finn Harries\nBrothers @\nfinnharries\n and @\njackharries\n make up the other two-thirds of the @\nearthrise.studio\n team (alongside Alice Aedy). Together, this trio have become a force to be reckoned with amongst the climate activist community.\n\nWhy follow them? \nThey are currently working alongside @careorg to fundraise money for those affected by the Ukraine refugee crisis.

Madeleine Olivia\nAuthor of ‘Minimal: How to simplify your life’ @\nmadeleineolivia\n shares advice on how to live more simply and sustainably—all from her cosy little cottage in Cornwall. \n\nWhy follow them? \nFor the natural DIY cleaning tips and low-waste vegan recipes.

Flora Beverley \nCo-founder of Leo’s Box - a sustainable and cruelty-free, delivery box service - Flora Beverley, otherwise known as @\nfoodfitnessflora\n, made a name for herself as an ultra runner. When she’s not on the trail she’s advocating for life in the ‘slow living’ lane. Check out her \nblog\n for tips on sustainable gardening and creating a wildlife haven in your garden.\n\nWhy follow them? \nWatching her epic running videos will make you want to get up off the sofa and pick up your running shoes.

Max La Manna & Venetia La Manna \nThis husband-wife duo are making their voices heard in the climate crisis conversation. Whilst @\nmaxlamanna\n shares daily eco-friendly, low-waste vegan recipes (that \nactually\n look delicious), his wife @venetialamanna is a slow-fashion campaigner and the co-founder of @rememberwhomadethem - a platform advocating for a fair wage for garment workers. \n
\nWhy follow them? \nAside from the couples’ goals, we love their practical tips on how to live a more ethical and sustainable life.

Blue Ollis\nBrighton-based sustainability creator, @\nblueollis\n is all about a slow and intentional style of living. On her blog and YouTube channel, she shares vegan recipes, minimalism, zero-waste living, and holistic wellness.\n\nWhy follow them? \nWell, obviously we love her furniture upcycling tips.

Jazmine Rogers \nDescribing herself as a “sustainable baddie” Jazmine Rogers aka @\nthatcurlytop\n uses her colourful online platform to shout about slow fashion and advocate for social justice.\n\nWhy follow them? \nFor the ethical outfits and tips on how to quit fast fashion.

Kate\nSharing tips on how to live plastic-free Kate of @\nmy_plastic_free_home\n shares daily DIY tips (only not the ones you might expect). Less of a dab hand with a drill, she champions DIY cleaning, beauty, and homeware products.\n\nWhy follow them? \nIf only for the tip on how to remove sticky labels from jars once and for all. 

Greta Thunberg\nAnd finally, it would be remiss of us to mention individuals who’ve shaped the narrative of the climate crisis without mentioning @\ngretathunberg\n. Named as one of Time magazine's ‘100 most influential people’, she’s been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and has so far donated more than one million euros to charitable causes.\n\nWhy follow them?\n Because there’s something seriously satisfying when a 19-year old girl calls out world leaders—and they listen.

Find out how you can live more sustainably with the \n7 eco-friendly home decor ideas\n.

Earth day is all about the preservation and protection of our health, families, and our livelihoods. And of course, planet earth. Over the last couple of years, the physical and mental health benefits of getting outdoors and reconnecting with nature have never been more apparent. That’s why earlier this month we spoke to Dr. Daniel Maughan, Medical Lead for Oxford Healthcare Improvement Centre and member of Oxford University’s Department of Psychiatry, on why we should be getting outdoors not just on Earth Day, but every day.\nAccording to Dr. Maughan, “nature helps us all by helping us to get some headspace from all the busyness of day to day life, and it's proven to be effective”. He continues;

There are multiple wins in getting outside and embracing what nature has to offer; it's free, it's good for your physical and mental health, it can help us to meet others, and it's carbon neutral.

He suggests that “a better quality physical environment can lead to improvements in psychological well-being, social relationships, performance in school, and a reduction in anxiety and depression”. So, in case that didn’t have you convinced to peel yourself away from your desk and take yourself on a stroll, here, in a nutshell, are some of the top mental and physical benefits of getting outdoors.\n\nMental health benefits of getting outdoors \nBeat the blues\n“The importance of interaction with the natural environment for achieving good mental health has been well recognized”, says Dr. Maughan. In fact, anxiety, depression, and a whole host of mental health issues can be reduced by spending more time outside. If you’re suffering from any of these, sometimes leaving the house can feel like the last thing you want to do, but in reality, it’s what your mind is truly crying out for. Try it out and note how you feel different before and after.\n\nReduce loneliness  \nWith more people than ever are working from home, if you live alone as well, there can be days where you feel as though you don’t talk to a single human being. According to Dr. Daniel Maughan; “direct contact with nature leads to a greater sense of connectedness to the community”. By getting outside, just for a coffee or even to volunteer at your local park, it can reduce those feelings of loneliness and create a sense of community.

Better brain function \nTime spent outdoors is also linked to higher levels of concentration, creativity, and mental clarity. Again, take yourself on a head-clearing stroll and see if you can notice the difference when you return.\n\nHelp take a time out \nWhether you’re in the office, on your laptop, or at home with the children, turn your notifications off and take a time out. Whether you’re on a walk, listening to a podcast, or watching the kids play in the park: be present.\n\nPhysical health benefits of getting outdoors \nImproved sleep\nOne of the key physical benefits of getting outdoors is improved sleep. Our circadian rhythms and production of melatonin are both linked to access to direct sunlight. So, if you can get yourself outdoors first thing in the morning, not only will it help wake you up but it will also help put you to sleep at night.\n\nA boost of vitamin D\nNot since the eradication of scurvy has a vitamin received such praise as Vitamin D in recent years, thanks to its immune-boosting properties. It can also help aid bone growth, and prevent heart attacks and strokes to name a few. And where does it come from? The sun, of course.


Improved vision\nEver spend so long staring at a screen your eyes feel like they’re going fuzzy? There’s a name for that: Computer Vision Syndrome and it can cause strain on your eyes, double vision, and headaches. The good news is there’s a simple remedy: spending some screen-free time outdoors.\n\nLower blood pressure\nIf you’re staring out the window and a cold and rainy day remember that studies have shown that exposure to the cold can lead to a stronger immune system, more energy, and lower blood pressure. That’s right, unfortunately, the ‘you’ll catch a cold’ excuse doesn't cut it any longer.\n\nReduced stress \nStudies have shown being outdoors lowered levels of cortisol, a hormone that’s a marker for stress. Some scientists believe that this is in part due to exposure to ‘fractals’, a geometric shape that can only be found in nature, stating that they activate certain areas of the brain which are responsible for regulating stress.

One of the main reasons that we find ourselves not getting outdoors enough is because we simply don’t have time. But, with such an endless list of both mental and physical benefits, it could save you time in the long run. Time saved on doctor’s visits, time saved on not getting ill, and time saved thanks to increased productivity. So, what are you waiting for? Put down your phone, close your laptop, and get outdoors.

Image credit: \nMeganandKenneth\n\n\n\n\nWalk on a trail surrounded by seasonal grasses and blooms, build your own arrangement at one of the world’s most famous flower markets, or swing away the afternoon at a biophilic design store. It may be called the concrete jungle, but there are plenty of green adventures to be had around New York City—if you know where to look. Good thing you will. Start here: with our five NYC must-visits for plant and flower enthusiasts, from Chelsea to Bushwick.\n\nBuild a Bouquet at the NYC Flower Market\nStarting with the most capital-M Musts of the must-visits: the New York City Flower Market. It’s found on 28th St. in Manhattan's Chelsea neighbourhood—for non-locals, Chelsea is the area that stretches from 14th to 34th St & 6th Avenue to the Hudson River. While the Market used to be much, much larger, with over 65 vendors setting up shop daily to cater to the city’s florists, it has since shrunk to a fraction of the size. Luckily, there are still plenty of places to buy tropical plants, dried flowers, or bunches of your favourite blooms from local and international purveyors. The best time to stop by? Bright and early on a weekday.

Walk the Highline\nWhen you’ve had your fill of the Flower Market, head downtown to the Highline: a public park designed by renowned landscape architects and built on an old freight rail line over the streets of Manhattan’s West Side. Sound lovely? It really is. The Highline opened in 2009 as a space for visitors to immerse themselves in nature and art, after being saved from demolition through the hard work of local residents. We love seeing how the landscape architects and gardeners incorporate seasonal grasses and flowers into an ever-evolving landscape. Take it from us: there’s no prettier way to get from Chelsea to the Meatpacking District.

Stop by the World’s First Biophilic Design Store\nLocation: 91 West Street, Brooklyn NY 11222\n\nGreenpoint saw the opening of the world’s first biophilic design store back in 2019, and it’s well worth stopping by—whether you’re in the market for a towering plant, green wall, or heart-eyes-worthy Instagram story. It’s called \nGreenery Unlimited\n, and it’s a lush oasis full of plants, tech-y plant maintenance tools, and swings surrounded by succulents. Behind the registers, you’ll see a huge wall covered in living plants that are watered by a built-in system: that’s one of their specialties, bringing air-purifying plants to offices, yoga studios, and homes around the city.

Visit Stems, Bushwick’s Leading Eco-Florist\nLocation: 96 Knickerbocker Ave #109, Brooklyn, NY 11237\n\nBushwick is just about as industrial of a neighborhood as they come, so the recent surge in plant shops and floral boutiques offer a much-needed escape for locals and visitors to the area. We love \nStems\n for their dry flower bar and curated selection of natural beauty products, as well as their plant accessories like pots and macrame hanging baskets. Their designers take a more whimsical approach to flower arrangements, incorporating locally-sourced blooms into unusual shapes and forms. “Designer’s choice” is always an option, or you can request a specific colour or vibe to bring a vision of your own to life. What's more, Stems pride themselves on being community-minded and eco-conscious; sourcing local florals, recycling/upcycling, excluding floral foams, chemical dyes & bleach, and composting their organic floral waste!

Support Local Artisans at Little Shop of Soil\nLocation: 279 Starr St, Brooklyn, NY 11237\n\nAnother Brooklyn favourite of ours is found nearby, and it’s a plant store called \nLittle Shop of Soil\n. Their team obsessively sources work from local makers and artisans, curating one of the best selections of ceramic containers and plant accessories in the city. From ribbed pots in pastel shades to sculptural planters covered in playful painted patterns, you’re in luck if you’re looking for an unusual, eye-catching container. In addition to rare plants and lovely ceramics, they’ve also got a soil bar where you can re-pot a new or growing plant—plus an extensive gift area with books, candles, and art.

Getting your daily dose of nature is important anywhere, but especially in bustling cities like New York. Stop by one (or all) of our favourite picks for plant and flower lovers on your next trip to the city for a little green respite.\n

Sustainability

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Spring gardening tips from Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medalist, Paul Holt

Insider tips: how to embark on your own Grand Design with Kevin McCloud

Sustainability, style, and sustenance at The Magazine, Hyde Park

10 sustainable brands on our watch list

Green guide: the best eco-friendly activities in London

Lick’s picks of London's 7 best eco-friendly homeware shops

12 inspiring sustainability creators you should follow today

Doctor’s orders: why you should get outdoors not just this Earth Day, but every day

5 New York City must-visits for plant and flower lovers