Join north London businesses and residents leading the fight against single‑use plastics.
This year, we’ve been out speaking to local businesses across our boroughs to hear how they’re cutting down on waste in their day‑to‑day operations, and why it matters to them. From fishmongers and to independent grocers and refill shops, these reusable champions are showing what’s possible, and encouraging their customers to ‘Bring It’ too. Together, we’re fighting back against single‑use plastics and making reusables the norm in north London.
Nourished Communities, Islington & Waltham Forest
"We try to promote a culture of reuse and loop system, we offer refillable olive oils, household chemicals, as well as with our egg boxes.
You can come and refill your egg boxes, loose carrots, loose apples, things that don't require plastic."
Rollo Millership, Nourished Communities Founder
Green Lanes Fisheries, Enfield
"Me, my wife and my two daughters came up with the idea for customers to bring their own containers so they can take it home, wash it, and reuse it.
It has worked and it's benefited us in the long run, we've gone from 2000 plastic bags a week going out of Green Lane Fisheries, it might be down to 500 now."
Pat Malone, Fishmonger
Refill Therapy, Hackney
"Even if you reuse your reusables once, it makes a difference and that's what we're trying to do.
We don't want everyone to be perfect, we just need everyone to do a little bit, our main aim at Refill Therapy is to encourage people to live life with less waste."
Alpesh Patel, Refill Therapy Founder
Hearth Bakery, Hackney
Hearth is a social enterprise bakery and café in Hackney, working to build a better localised food system and support local communities.
Bean & Brew, Haringey
Bean & Brew are an independent coffee bar who give discounts for reusables serving up speciality coffee, whole-leaf tea, lunch bites, treats and more. They source many their cakes and pastries from independent bakeries and specialise in a few homemade treats.
British Patagonia, Islington
British Patagonia is a café located in Islington, it blends Argentinian and British influences, serving pastries, specialty coffee, and a range of innovative, often vegan-friendly dishes. They will give you a discount if you bring in your reusable coffee cup!
Olive Three, Haringey
Olive Three is a family‑run café located at in Haringey. It’s known for its warm, community‑focused atmosphere, excellent coffee, Mediterranean‑inspired brunch dishes, and a garden space at the back. You can also get discounts on your coffee if you bring in your reusable coffee cup!
The Flower Bank, Barnet
The Flower Bank is a zero‑waste community florist and social enterprise located in Barnet. It rescues unwanted or unsold flowers from supermarkets, events, florists and donors, giving them a second life through affordable bouquets, community programmes, workshops and volunteering opportunities.
BLOQS, Enfield
BLOQs is London’s largest open‑access workshop and creative hub, located in Enfield. The space supports makers, designers and small businesses with professional equipment, studios, and a collaborative environment, and it also features an on‑site café, who offer a discount for reusables!
Tony's Continental, Barnet
Tony’s Continental is a long‑standing, family‑run greengrocer and deli located in East Finchley, Barnet. For over 40 years, they’ve built a strong reputation for fresh produce, world foods, and hard‑to‑find ingredients, making them a much‑loved staple of the local community.
Vibe Cafe, Barnet
Vibe Café is a warm, family‑friendly neighbourhood café located in Barnet. Known for its cosy atmosphere, floral artistic decor, and consistently excellent food, it has become a beloved local spot for breakfast, brunch, cakes and great coffee as well as offering a discount for reusables!
Flori Canto, Camden
Flori Canto is an independent tea shop, apothecary and wellness café located in Camden. Known for organic teas, superfoods, herbal blends and a calm atmosphere, as well providing discounts for bringing your reusables!
Hopscotch Sweets, Barnet
Hopscotch is Barnet’s long‑established retro sweet shop, located in Barnet. Loved by locals for its nostalgic feel, it offers hundreds of traditional sweets and accepts reusables too!
Tintico, Barnet
Tintico is a specialty coffee shop located at Finchley Central, in Barnet. Known for its high‑quality coffee, Tintico has become a favourite among locals, commuters and remote workers, and a perfect place to bring your reusable coffee cups!
N7 Fields, Islington
N7 Fields is a community‑focused greengrocer, florist and eco‑friendly neighbourhood shop located in Islington. They specialise in seasonal produce, flowers, juices, teas, coffees, preserves and gifts, with a strong commitment to sustainability and reducing single‑use plastics.
Many more shops, cafés and restaurants are happy to fill and refill your reusable food and drink containers than you might think. For example, many cafés and restaurants will happily use your reusable box to package up your lunch or will make your coffee in your reusable cup. Look out for a window sticker showing that this business welcomes refills – but if there isn’t a sticker, all you have to do is ask!
How can I bring it?
- Bring your reusable water bottle, filled from home, and top it up on the go in cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars.
- Carry reusable bags when you shop, and try not to leave them behind!
- Take reusable food containers to shops, cafés and takeaways. Most places are happy to fill your own clean container for lunches, takeaways or deli items.
- Use a reusable coffee cup for your daily cuppa at cafés, restaurants or on your commute.
- To cut single‑use plastic waste, we need everyone to get involved, every small action helps.
Single-use plastic: What’s the problem?
The convenience of single‑use plastics has created a major waste and pollution problem. UK households throw away around 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging every year, most of it designed to be used once. Only 12% is recycled, meaning huge amounts of valuable materials and resources are wasted.
The rest lingers in the environment, entering rivers and oceans, harming wildlife and damaging biodiversity. Over time, plastic breaks down into microplastics, which contaminate soil and seas and are eaten by animals. These tiny fragments can then make their way back to us through contaminated food.
I’m a local business, how can I get involved?
Local businesses are key to reducing the use of single-use plastics, by reducing the amount they use in their shops, cafés and restaurants, and by welcoming customers bringing their reusable containers.
Here are some ways you can get involved:
- Encourage your customers to bring their own reusables to your business by placing stickers or posters in your window (see below).
- Offer a small discount to customers who bring a reusable cup/bottle/container.
- Make sure customers know that your business encourages them to bring their reusable containers.
- Talk about it on social media. The more local residents know that you will happily fill and refill their reusable food and drink containers, the better!
- Download images that you can share on your social channels to encourage your customers to bring reusables: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Published date
15 March 2026
