Linden Sustainability Directory
As well as working on lowering the Carbon Footprint of Linden Church as a building and a charity, we are actively looking at ways in which we can support and encourage our church community to make positive changes in their own lives in order to become more sustainable themselves. Just like faith is a journey, so is more sustainable living. There will be ups and downs along the way, with things that work for us and things that don't! But as a way of sharing some of the wisdom that members of our community have collected over the years on their own journeys, we have collated a sustainability. Below are ideas of places to buy more sustainable products, options for carbon off-setting, interesting articles to inspire, challenge and encourage, books and documentaries that are great for further information and tips for easy practical changes to make at home. This is just a taster of what is available out there and if you have any suggestions or contributions please get in touch.
Food
Online Shops:
https://www.coaltowncoffee.co.uk
https://www.peacewiththewild.co.uk
https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com
Refill shops:
Balance (Eversley Road, Sketty)
Pobbles Pantry (Pennard)
The Environment Cente (Swansea)
Swansea University (Singleton Campus)
Frosty's Green Grocers (Pontardawe)
Tips:
When buying food think local, seasonal, organic, plastic free, sustainably sourced palm oil, fairtrade. Perhaps pick one of these things and challenge yourself to switch as many items from your weekly shop as you can.
Look out for symbols on food packaging that shows the item has been aproved as: Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Certified Sustainable Seafood, Soil Association Organic.
Many independent butchers, greengrocers, fishmongers and farmers markets will be happy to sell you goods without packaging (or straight in to your own tupperware).
Switch from buying bread and yoghurt to making your own, invest in a bread maker and yoghurt maker to drastically reduce your plastic consumption. Likewise have fun with the kids by making your own ice lollies, there are loads of fun moulds available and you can get creative with flavours.
If you want to delve into the world of vegan food, Swansea Market hosts a stall called Brontosaurus which not only has great stock but their staff provide lots of advice and offer deliveries.
Try to reduce your food waste by using leftovers to make cheap easy meals, for example use up all your random vegetables in a hearty mixed veg soup (which could also be frozen for extra longevity)!
High Street Shops:
Lakeland
Articles:
https://eco-age.com/resources/how-care-your-clothes-and-keep-them-longer/
https://moralfibres.co.uk/guide-to-plastic-free-eco-friendly-toilet-roll
Tips:
Look out for the cruelty free symbol on packaging.
Many supermarket own brand toilet paper, kitchen roll and tissues can be purchased that are made from recycled paper and what's even better is that they are packaged in paper too.
Look out for Ecover cleaning products, they are available in supermarkets and are gentle on the environment.
You can make many cleaning products from household ingredients like vinegar and lemon juice. There are loads of recipe books available, see our book list for a couple of suggestions.
Baby Products
Online Shops:
https://www.peacewiththewild.co.uk
https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com
https://www.biggreensmile.com/
Menstrual Care
Online Shops:
https://nonplasticbeach.com/
https://www.cheekywipes.com/
https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com
https://www.modibodi.co.uk/collections/underpants
https://www.organicup.com/product/organicup/
https://www.heygirls.co.uk/shop/reusable-period-pads-day-or-night/
https://www.biggreensmile.com/
Clothing
Online Shops:
https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com
https://www.nomadsclothing.com
https://www.impacttrading.co.uk
High Street Shops:
Seasalt
H & M: Conscious Collection
Zara: Join Life Collection
Marks and Spencer
Fatface
Articles:
https://moralfibres.co.uk/the-best-sites-to-sell-your-secondhand-clothes-online/
https://www.togetherstreet.com/
Tips:
When buying clothing consider purchasing natural materials, choosing organic cotton, and consider where it's made (as the laws on waste water and the rights for workers etc vary from country to country).
Charity shops and online auction sites are great for buying second hand clothes (or even new sale items) for a fraction of their original cost and can be a really affordable way or purchasing more sustainable brands.
Learn to mend clothes (or make friends with someone who can) to save on replacing them.
If an item no longer fits you, could it be adjusted or reused in some way?
Household Items
Online Shops:
https://www.babipur.co.uk/
https://www.peacewiththewild.co.uk
https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com
https://www.all-green.co.uk/
https://smile-plastics.com/
High Street Shops:
Lakeland
Tips:
Invest in a selection of good tupperware for storage, packed lunches and picnics!
If you want to encourage teenagers to recycle, give them multiple bins in their bedrooms so they can easily separate items without expending too much energy!
Start a compost heap or wormery to convert food waste into garden compost and harvest the rain with a rain butt to water your plants.
Be creative and upcycle old or second hand furniture to create something new.
Another fun activity for the kids; buy a roll of brown paper, get stamping or drawing or hand printing etc, and you have your own recyclable wrapping paper!
Energy
Green Energy Suppliers:
Energy Saving Home Improvements to consider:
Switching to a green energy supplier.
Keeping your boiler serviced and well maintained and ensuring you have a good thermostat to control it.
Insulating your roof space/loft.
Installing double glazing or draught proofing existing glazing and external doors.
Insulating walls with internal, external or cavity wall insulation.
Installing solar panels.
Carbon Off-Setting
Donation sites:
https://www.worldlandtrust.org
https://www.carbonfootprint.com/wsp_pb.html
Articles:
https://www.treehugger.com/best-carbon-offset-programs-5076458
Books
A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough
Back to Nature by Chris Packham
L is for Lifestyle by Ruth ValerioMainfesto by Dale Vince
Riders on the Storm by Alastair McIntosh (author of other great books like Soil and Soul)
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make Or Break Years by Mike Berners-Lee
Self Sufficiency: Natural Household Cleaning by Rachel Strauss
Clean Green by Jen Chillingsworth
No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference by Greta Thunberg
Documentaries
David Attenborough
Climate Change: The Facts
Extinction: The Facts
A Life On Our Planet
Our Planet
Greta Thunberg
I Am Greta
Greta Thunberg: A Year To Change The Planet
Stacey Dooley
Investigates: Fashion's Dirty Secrets
Invesitgates: The Whale Hunters
The Men Who Made Us Spend
Seaspiracy
Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline
War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita
The True Cost
Other Resources
Repair Shop Wales
The Environment Centre, Swansea
Tip Treasures (second hand items) at Llansamlet Recycling Centre, Swansea
Library of Things based at Llansamlet Recycling Centre, Swansea
Green Fair in Swansea (usually November)
Ruth Valerio's blog (https://ruthvalerio.net/)
Charities – There are many charities and organisations both in the UK and further afield that are tackling climate change issues. Here are just a few that have great websites, newsletters, projects, activities for children, online shops and lobbying opportunities:
Greenpeace, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, World Wide Fund for Nature, Tearfund, Christian Aid, The National Trust, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, The Woodland Trust, Extinction Rebellion and Wildlife Rebellion.