Homelife
‘Living Simply is first reducing your greed’s, then reducing your needs’
Minimising our environmental impact is not always about something you can buy, it is a way of life; buy less, use less, waste less. Appreciate everything and enjoy the simple things. From opting out of paper mail to switching to an ethical bank; we don’t all need to do everything, but when enough of us do something that’s when we can really make a difference.
The following is a list of resources to assist individuals to minimise their environmental impact at home.
Sustainable lifestyle
Low Impact is a website / resource designed for low-impact living and attempts to connect lifestyle change with system change.
Join the Eco Essex Facebook group for general tips and discussion on lowering your carbon footprint across Essex.
Essex is Green is a Facebook group set up by Essex County Council to support and encourage individuals to make greener choices
Cannock Mill Colchester is a mutually supportive cohousing group, sharing values and aims, living in low energy and environmentally friendly homes with a shared ‘common house’, land and facilities, open to new members.
Reusable Menstrual Products Colchester Chat is a friendly Facebook group, and place to chat and share your experiences of using Reusable Menstrual Products. A local group designed to encourage period positivity and inform people of eco friendly alternatives.
Vegans in Colchester is a Facebook group for vegans or those wishing to move towards a more plant based diet, ask questions and find out about the best places to eat out etc around Colchester.
Internet and mobile
Compare and select a more ethical / environmental friendly mobile phone network using ethical consumer
Compare and select a more ethical / environmental friendly mobile phone manufacturer using ethical consumer
Ecosia Search Engine Set your web browser on your laptop and devises to an ethical one and plant trees every time you search.
Finances
Check if your bank, pension or energy provider are environmentally friendly and find greener alternatives using the Switchlt website.
Compare and select a more ethical / environmental friendly home insurance using ethical consumer.
Shopping
Colchester Community Market A ‘virtual’ market on Facebook showcasing independent makers, sellers and ‘eco’ friendly businesses. Connecting local people with independent retailers and makers in Colchester and the surrounding area (places with a CO postcode).
Support local businesses; a guide of local businesses can be found on the Your Colchester website, there are many environmentally friendly and independent businesses listed on
En-forms complete list of refill shops across Colchester and the surrounds
The Colchester Food Co-op is a non-profit-making community project. By becoming a member you can buy good food that is environmentally friendly, fairly traded and affordable.
Support local business and have your orders delivered by e-bike using Colchester’s E-Cargo bike Project. A full list of businesses that offer this service can be found on the en-form website
Greengrocers
Bennison Farm ‘Community Supported Agriculture’ based in Thorrington, and harvested the day you receive it. Organic, seasonal and local food. Join the scheme and receive a weekly share of the harvest, you can even help out on the farm.
Peach and Pippin located on the Essex / Suffolk Border in Lawford, CO11. Offering fruit, veg, eggs. Small holdings, home grown.
Great Bromley Garlic grows quality garlic and shallots, farmed using sustainable farming methods and farmed locally.
J Burgess and Sons Ltd Fresh fruit and veg delivered to your door. Located in Colchester.
Bruce Fruit and Veg Suppliers Fresh fruit and veg delivered to your door. Located in Boxted.
McLauchlans of Boxted Strawberry and other fresh fruit and veg picking when in season Located in Boxted.
Crapes Fruit Farm is located just five miles west of Colchester, one mile north of Marks Tey Railway Station. Offer delivery.
Birchwood Farm Shop located in Dedham, offering locally sourced produce from fruit and veg, to milk, cheese, meat, jams, eggs, bread, pies, cakes.
Bumbles Greengrocers Located in Brightlingsea. Offering local delivery and collection from shop which is open 1-3pm. Contact number is: 07914 496681
Glass bottle milk
Colchester Dairy local milkman offering plastic free milk and other essentials delivered to your door.
Milk and More local milkman offering plastic free milk and other essentials delivered to your door.
The crafty goat selling goat milk and cheese located in Abberton, Colchester
Refill Shops
The Colchester Food Co-op is a non-profit-making community project. By becoming a member you can buy good food that is environmentally friendly, fairly traded and affordable. Refills offered.
Colcheco Located on Layer road, CO2 Colchester, offering refill foods and goods and local eco gift ware
Home Kitchen located on Crouch street in the Town centre and in Lavenham, offering refills
Rowhedge Village Green located in Rowhedge offer refills and local craft
Life in Eco Located in West Mersea, offering refill goods and food
Reco Store Located in Tiptree, offering drop & collect, local delivery and in shop service
The Refill Den is a mobile zero-waste refill service visiting remote villages with little or no access to shops. Locations include Coggeshall, Fordham and Bures.
The Natural Health Shop A wide range of natural products; herbal and homeopathic remedies, natural body care products, wholefood drinks and sports nutrition, as well as some refills. Located in Colchester town centre
