Find out what some of our retailers have to say about the steps they’ve taken to make more sustainable, mindful shopping
B Corp Certified
B Corp for-profit businesses have had their social and environmental performance verified, and met high standards of accountability, transparency and governance. We’re proud that some B Corps call Canary Wharf home. Aesop, known for its distinctive amber-hued bottles and beautiful scents, is included on PETA’s cruelty-free and vegan lists, while home and body brand Rituals… has a meticulous approach to packaging, refill initiatives and recycling.
In creating sweet treats for liquorice lovers, Lakrids by Bülow has reduced waste per kilo of product produced by 44% in the last decade. Caravan is commended for its sustainable sourcing principles and direct relationships with suppliers and producers, while chophouse Blacklock has a simple, effective philosophy: everyone who walks through its doors – guests, suppliers, communities and their team – should leave happy. For caffeine lovers, Grind sells home- compostable Nespresso® compatible pods; 100% free from plastic and aluminium, they’re made from organic matter.
Waste Not, Want Not
Would you pay more for a product with sustainable packaging? Increasingly, customers are saying yes, and many of our retailers are stepping up. Lakrids by Bülow was the first confectionary company to introduce 100% recycled and recyclable plastic packaging, while Island Poké serves its food in biodegradable bowls and MALIN+GOETZ champions a less, but better ethos, which includes ‘less packaging, less fuss, less waste’.
Humble Grape’s wines come from small-production, family-run, natural vineyards, while at carbon-neutral restaurant group Hawksmoor, every last bit of its food waste is sent to anaerobic digestion, where it’s turned into biogas, and its chip fryer oil is then used to power vehicles. In Canary Wharf, zero waste has gone to landfill from managed areas since 2009, and a partnership with The Felix Project has saved tonnes of good food from going to waste, instead redistributing it to those who need it in London.
How We Do It
Ethical working practices are increasingly in the spotlight. lululemon has had gender pay equity since 2018 and its Centre for Social Impact aims to disrupt inequity in wellbeing through movement, mindfulness, and advocacy. Monica Vinader reassures customers with Product Passports, an industry-leading initiative; customers can trace hundreds of styles across Monica Vinader’s supply chain, right from the raw material.
The Wharf’s restaurants are stepping up too. Roe includes carefully-sourced rare breed meats and fish from the British Isles on its menu, as well as regenerative crops, and at Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, the team makes almost everything themselves each morning; they strive to use no additives, artificial ingredients or preservatives and support regenerative agriculture and minimal intervention in the natural process. Community market MMy Wood Wharf, stocked with delicious artisanal and natural food, has committed itself to working towards a more sustainable future for all. Its community events include things like mindful painting and low-sugar workshops.
Repair & Reuse
Many of us now think about a product’s repairability or durability before buying. Reiss manages and reduces its waste according to the principles of reduction, reuse and recycling, and its durable products are designed for enduring longevity and resilience. At lululemon, they’ll sort any kit that can be repaired for free. Head to James Shoe Care and the City of London Dry Cleaners to give old favourites a fresh new lease of life.
The Power of Local
According to a survey from Visa (developed in partnership with the Centre for Economics & Business Research), more than half of those surveyed shop local because they know how much their custom means, while 43% get a boost of happiness when they support local shopkeepers. It also found that for every £10 spent with independently-owned local businesses, £3.80 is retained in that community.
With this level of giving back in mind, head to 8 Harbord Square, an independent retail space offering 10 small businesses a chance to call Canary Wharf home; get your nails done at Awe London, your hair at Wayne Salon and buy flowers or gifts from The Flower Club. Streetwear store Circle Collective is a great case study for how shopping local can make a real difference; the store itself trains young people up as part of its staff and the charity Circle Community’s Back Your Future programme aims to break the cycle of youth unemployment. Plant-based restaurant mallow supports local businesses too, to ensure the lowest impact on the environment, and the best possible impact on customers: its chickpeas come from Brindisa in London’s Borough Market and tofu from Whitechapel.
