Where + How To Support The Environment + Shop Local
By Gillian Opie of Daisy Declutter & Downsizing
Now, the lovely Gillian of Daisy Declutter & Downsizing is a big fan of sustainable shopping and being a conscious consumer. She wrote a fab article for us recently on How + Where To Recycle Pre-Loved Items In The Highlands. We loved it so much we asked her to put together a list of local environmentally friendly and aware shops that can help us all save the planet with every purchase we make.
Take it away, Gillian……
The environment needs our help and needs it now.
Landfill is an issue, the manufacturing of non recyclable products is an issue and well, governments being slow to act is an issue AND we have climate change breathing down our necks.
So it looks like it’s up to us – the consumer – to start consciously thinking about how we’re going to dispose of something BEFORE we buy it, and making conscious purchasing decisions that help the environment instead of adding to the problem.
It’s our planet.
It’s our responsibility.
So how can we do that in the Highlands? How can we choose the best option to meet our needs and to help the environment.
Here’s a list of local businesses and companies doing their bit.
Let’s support them and spread the word!
FOOD + DRINK
The Source Bulk Foods
A zero waste shop where you can buy goods in bulk. Fabulous idea and loads of good stuff for both you and the planet.
Raw and Wild Market & Café
Certified organic groceries, ethically sourced products, natural skin care – all good stuff!
The What If Society
General store/bakery/coffee shop/fermenting store. Local produce, recyclable packaging and a little food wastage principle makes this business a star!
The Honey Thief
Locally produced honey and other lovely products from hives that are not medicated and are chemical free. Organic, award winning honey, yummy!
Tractorless Vineyard
Winery creating sustainable wines using biodynamic principles and natural farming systems. Plus they’re making award winning wines. So it tastes good, too!
Eden Brewery
The reusable growlers at Eden mean you can just fill up with your favourite ale – win win!
You can also read about Eden’s focus on sustainable values here.
Green Caffeen
We love this concept! Reusable coffee cups that you check in and out like a library book!
Green Caffeen came to the Southern Highlands in 2022 – read about the business and find out which local cafes have signed up here.
Green Caffeen
BOOKS
The Phoenix Bookstore
After the fire, this cosy bookshop has risen to keep supplying us with good quality second hand books.
Armchair Adventures
High quality second hand and antiquarian books using 100% compostable packaging from sugar cane mulch for delivery.
Reviva Centre
These guys accept books in good condition and have a huge library of books for when you need to top up the pile on your bedside table.
The Phoenix Bookstore
HOME
Bowral Bee Company
Handmade beautiful beeswax products from natural ingredients and locally sourced. Their packaging is either aluminium or biodegradable.
Mojo Candle Co
Sustainable home fragrance company creating beautiful candles and diffusers using reclaimed wine and beer bottles. Last year they saved 60,000 bottles from landfill – well done!
Rabbit Trap Timber
Crafting beautiful timber furniture and other items from aged, recycled hardwood.
The Eco Shop
From homewares to cleaning products, skin care, bags and more, this is a great shop in Mittagong for all things eco. Plus, they have a huge online store.
Reviva Centre
There’s plenty of pre-loved toys, furniture, sports gear and stacks more at The Reviva Centre in Moss Vale. Also a great place to pass on your pre-loved goods if they’re in good condition.
A hot glass studio creating individual homewares and jewellery embracing sustainable practices AND using ‘rescued’ bottles their primary materials source.
Mojo Candle Co
BODY
Bare Body Beauty Co
Founded on principles of all-natural ingredients and sustainability. They have won a sustainability award, source recyclable packaging and offer their customers a discount when they bring in the original packaging for refills. Their body products are all natural and truly divine.
Siva Hair & Beauty
An eco-conscious salon that only offer treatments without damaging ingredients or toxic chemicals. They stock Australian made, organic products that are cruelty free and made with safe ingredients.
Renaissance Hair by Renee
Hair is made into boom-nets for pollution clearing in the ocean, chemicals are recycled and plastic is used by Dresden for glasses frames.
Meg’s Shampoo Bars
Online store based in the Southern Highlands, we love shampoo bars for helping the environment and getting your hair squeaky clean.
Bare Body Beauty Co
PETS
We Know Pets
Dry dog food available in refill reuse containers. This avoids plastic waste from dog food in plastic bags. Hooray!
SERVICES
Kylie & Co
A cleaning business in the Southern Highlands using eco-friendly cleaning products, reusable refillable spray bottles, washable cleaning cloths and biodegradable bin bags.
The Eco Party Co
A sustainable, zero waste party hire company.
The Eco Party Co
ART & CRAFT
Creative Space Southern Highlands
Creative art workshops focusing on utilising recycled materials.
ONLINE SHOPPING
If you order groceries online with Coles or Woollies, one simple thing you can do is to tick the box that opts for paper bags, not plastic.
For some great sustainable alternatives to everything check out these sites below.
For toilet paper buy in bulk from Who Gives A Crap that are doing great things and have a cheeky sense of humour. Never run out again and do your bit for the planet, nice!
MORE RESOURCES
You can also check out our articles we’ve written up on sustainable and environmentally aware shopping:
A Guide To Antique Shopping In The Southern Highlands
Op Shops and Second-Hand Stores In The Southern Highlands
Plastic Free July In The Southern Highlands
There you go! Let’s get on that sustainable train and help save our planet with our everyday actions.
And if there are more eco friendly businesses locally that we’ve missed, let us know. We’d love to add them – the more the merrier!
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