Rather than having to recycle surplus food packaging (which is often plastic), the most sustainable approach is to buy products that do not have any packaging at all!
This is getting easier all the time with numerous markets and thriving Zero-Waste and Plastic-Free stores now dotted around the Borough. We’ve put together a list (and map) of these below, but we are always on the lookout for new ones to shout about. Please contact us if you know of any similar zero-waste retailers that we can add to this list and publicise!

Zero/low waste stores in Lewisham

These outlets allow you to purchase a range of dried goods (pasta, pulses etc) and cleaning products (laundry liquid, shampoo etc), by weight/volume. You are encouraged to take your own empty containers, although the shops usually have nice ranges of re-usable ones to buy if you don’t yet have your own.

TIP: use re-usable ziploc bags for transporting dry goods, and large jam-jars for storing bulkier products.

Blackheath
Brockley
Crofton Park
Forest Hill
Hither Green
Honor Oak Park
  • My Jamii Cafe (also a social enterprise supporting training for young people)
    3 Honor Oak Park, SE23 1DX
Ladywell
Lee
Nunhead
  • BYO
    147 Evelina Rd, Nunhead, SE15 3HB (Household)
    32 Nunhead Green, Nunhead, SE15 3QF (Grocery)

Local markets

There are 3 main traditional fruit and vegetable markets in Lewisham. These are ideal places to source cheap, packaging-free, non-organic produce. Remember to take your own bags to achieve a packaging-free shop – turn down the free plastic bag you will be offered!

TIP: have several heavy-duty ‘Bags for Life’ type bags earmarked for trips to the market.

TIP: don’t forget you can freeze part of a large batch of produce, or share with neighbours and friends.

  • Deptford High St Market
    Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9am–5.30pm
  • Catford
    Monday – Saturday 9am–5.30pm

Food & Farmer’s Markets

There are now several Food & Farmers Markets in the Borough on weekends. The Lewisham Council website states: “To qualify as a farmers’ market producers must be local (within 50 miles) and must sell their own produce. Bakers must use a minimum of one local ingredient. The person behind the stall must be directly involved with production, allowing you to ask questions about how it was produced”.

These markets sell street food, but there is usually at least one bread, organic meat and organic fruit & veg stall.

TIP: Remember to take a shopping bag!

  • Brockley Market
    Every Saturday, 10am -2pm. Lewisham College carpark (junction of Lewisham Way & Tressillian Rd)
  • Horniman Museum
    Every Sunday, 10am–3pm. In the gardens beside the bandstand

Local food delivery services

There are a number of local online retailers offering deliveries of fruit & veg (and other products) around Lewisham.

Reduced/plastic free delivery services

In addition to the Lewisham-based delivery schemes, there are a large number of London- and national-based schemes offering a similar service. A selection of these is as follows:

Map

The stores and markets listed above are shown on this map. Click on an icon for details.