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
Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi’s Roundhay Festival line-up
US pop star Conan Gray and BRIT award winner Jacob Alon join the line-up for Lewis Capaldi's headline date at Roundhay Festival.
Leeds' Roundhay Park is welcoming back live music to its grounds this summer for two outdoor gigs headlined by Lewis Capaldi and Pitbull titled Roundhay Festival, with special guests slowly being announced.
Gray is recognised for standout tracks like 'Heather' and 'Maniac' while Alon has built a cult following of fans around their indie tunes like 'Fairy in a Bottle' as well as 'Liquid Gold 25'.
Jacob Alon has been showing off their artistry within the indie music scene thanks to their 2025 LP In Limerence catching the attention of many in the process.
This album has gone onto attract widespread love from music listeners and even industry professionals bagging themselves their first-ever BRIT award nomination and win - The Critics' Choice award.
Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi's Roundhay Festival line-up / Credit: Supplied via Press Shots
Conan Gray started out covering other artists hits before creating some of his own and releasing debut studio album Kid Krow back in 2020.
The project has production credits shared between Gray and Dan Nigro, Grammy-winning producer who has worked with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde and more.
It's always exciting hearing updates like these, but this one is even more impressive as it's not just one stellar act joining the Roundhay Festival line-up but two, with further acts to be announced.
The almost 70,000 crowd who are heading down to Roundhay Festival when Lewis Capaldi makes his way to Leeds next summer are going to be blessed with some phenomenal live music.
This year marks American Express Presents Roundhay Festival first year with two star-studded dates fronted by powerhouse performers with the second show fronted by Pitbull and special guest Kesha.
These events have been organised with Leeds City Council and are expected to bring benefits to the local area by employing local suppliers, staff and boost spending on accommodation, food and entertainment.
Conan Gray and Jacob Alon will play alongside Lewis Capaldi at Roundhay Festival in Leeds on Saturday 4 July 2026 with tickets available HERE.
Award-winning vintage retailer announces new store in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Popular vintage store brand Glass Onion is returning to Leeds with a brand-new permanent site.
Following the huge success of its temporary pop up shop in Leeds Trinity, Glass Onion is coming back with a bang and expanding into a larger, two-floor space in Leeds city centre.
They'll be taking over the old Levi's jeans unit on Lands Lane and will be opening on Wednesday 18 March, so we really don't have long to wait.
Customers can shop Leeds' best collection of sustainable vintage clothing with every piece hand selected for store at their Yorkshire HQ.
Images: The Sheff
Shop from an expertly curated mix of all your vintage favourites, including Y2K, techwear, workwear, sportswear, boho, and loads more.
The store will also feature big-name brands like The North Face, Nike, Levi’s, Adidas, and Harley Davidson, along with an exclusive Rare Archive section - home to some of Glass Onion’s rarest vintage finds.
Glass Onion’s journey began in 2005, when founder John started selling vintage clothing out of his grandma’s coal shed in Barnsley. They opened their first retail store in Sheffield in 2019, quickly becoming a local favourite and their commitment to quality and sustainability has earned them “Best Indie Retailer in Sheffield” and “Best Vintage Retailer in Sheffield” at the Exposed Magazine Awards for three consecutive years.
To celebrate the exciting launch, Glass Onion are offering free VIP tickets where shoppers will be treated to first entry as well as freebies and vouchers from Leeds indies and entry into a competition to win a £100 Glass Onion voucher to spend on the launch day.
Georgina Pellant -
1st June 2021 
