Plastic is fast becoming taboo, so if you're looking to start living in a more sustainable way then these local shops are a great place to start.
Long gone are the days where simply putting all your recycling into the correct receptacles was considered 'enough'. We're all doing our best, but sometimes it can seem a bit overwhelming to live life in a green way.
Thankfully, Leeds has some great zero waste shops in and around the city centre that have been designed to make it easy for us.
Selling everything from dry cereals and grains to spices, dried fruit and household beauty and cleaning products, not to mention single-use plastic alternatives to store it all in, keep reading to discover those closest to you and start living your best sustainable life.
Ecotopia, Grand Arcade
This zero-waste shop at Grand Arcade in Leeds city center has it all: dry foods, gluten free foods, pet food, homeware, health and beauty products, and of course reusable products. Ecotopia also launched a pay it forward scheme earlier this year so that you can treat someone who really needs it.
Panda Refills, Kirkgate Market
Originally opened as the JarTree in 2018, this is Leeds' first dedicated zero waste shop. Panda Refills offer ‘weigh and pay’ refills of food, cleaning and body care products alongside gifts, homeware and more. Here you'll find products from almost all of the leading eco-friendly brands, as well as smaller suppliers and local crafty makers.
Refill & Go, Garforth
Run as an ethical enterprise, suppliers here are ethical and the owner makes sure all of his customers know exactly what they’re buying. Here you'll find plenty of plastic-free options for household items, ranging from beauty products to food and cleaning supplies. A great place to pick up basics like cereal, pasta and rice, as well as alternatives to single-use plastic like metal straws and cloth tea bags.
Inside Ecotopia, the zero waste shop inside Grand Arcade / Image: Ecotopia
Waste Not, Ilkley/ Burley-in-Wharfdal
Head down to either of Waste Not's stores and you'll find huge dispensers filled with lentils, beans and grains, dried fruits, confectionary, nuts and more. You can pretty much do a full food shop here, whether you're after fresh produce or looking to stock up the cupboards. A one-stop-shop for all your ethical and sustainable shopping needs.
SCRAP, Farsley
SCRAP rescues low-cost creative supplies that would've otherwise gone into the bin and sells them on at extremely low prices - stopping hundred of tonnes of art supplies from ending up in landfill every year. Owner Louise Lucas has created a crafter's paradise here. This not-for-profit social enterprise is well worth a visit. It also has a liquid refill station.
Zero Muda, Horsforth
All profits made here are channeled back into local school and enterprise projects. Find organic dried foods in jars and dispensers alongside grains, pastas and a huge range of spices. Zero Muda has partnered with Leeds Bread Coop to sell their fresh sourdough and rye loaves and even sell their own (refillable) bottles of eco-friendly wine. Winner.
Headingley Greengrocers, Headingley
Low to no waste community store Headingley Greengrocers is a pinnacle in the community. The shop sells all its products loose to minimise on unnecessary plastic packaging, before donating anything left over to food project Rainbow Junktion Cafe and composters Plate to Plate. Most produce is sourced from Yorkshire to minimise on carbon footprint.
Cleen Bees Eco Refill Station, Farsley
What first began as a cleaning company is now a sustainable eco refill station, created after its founders realised just how much plastic they were going through with cleaning products alone. Designed to suit all budgets, Clean Bees have their own very affordable products on sale alongside named brands like Faith in Nature and Ecover.
Feature image - Ecotopia.
Leeds
Myles Smith announces HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Leeds this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Leeds later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited Leeds, bringing his high-energy hits to O2 Academy back in February.
Now, Smith is ready to tackle an arena crowd and has chosen Leeds First Direct Bank Arena and is expected to raise the roof when 13,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds on Sunday 8 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Leeds city centre crowned one of the best places to live in the north by The Sunday Times
Clementine Hall
Today, Leeds city centre earned itself a coveted spot in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
What brilliant news to end the week on, hey?
Leeds city centre was amongst eight other locations across the north and the north east to be featured on the list.
The market town of Skipton took home the dazzling first prize, but it's still nice to be included isn't it.
Here's what the judges had to say about Leeds city centre: “Leeds has five universities, the fourth largest urban economy in the UK (with job opportunities in finance, insurance and big business), a youthful vibe and a relatively affordable average house price (£285,100).
Image: Unsplash
“Stay close to the centre, where you won’t have to worry about the patchy public transport, and it all adds up to a fun-filled, fulfilled life within walking distance of stylish shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There’s a good choice of riverside homes, where you may spot kingfishers and otters, and even the schools are good.”
In total, 72 places across the UK were selected by The Sunday Times to showcase the very best of Britain, with Norwich named the overall national winner.
The full list of locations in the north and northeast include:
Skipton
Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire
Leeds city centre
Morpeth, Northumberland
Newcastle: Gosforth
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
York
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain.
“It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.
“Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live."
Georgina Pellant -
1st June 2021 
