Health Tips for Greener Living in Kent

Information to help you and to help the environment. Small daily choices add up. Below are chemical free toiletries, refill and zero waste shops, local farm produce, easy sustainable swaps, and professional bodies to explore.

Chemical free toiletries

Remember everything that goes through the skin goes directly into the bloodstream. Choose simple, natural options where you can.

• Aveda

• Espa

• Weleda

• Tisserand

• Deep Sea

• Neal’s Yard Remedies — you can take glass bottles back. Anything plastic made from PETG can be recycled at a local recycling centre.

• Lush — working to do their bit for the environment. Zero waste policy. Bars for both shampoo and conditioner so you are not buying plastic bottles.

Refill and zero waste shops

Below are local options to help cut plastic waste.

Contain Yourself

www.containyourselftw.com — TN4 0PJ
Refill station for toiletries and household cleaning products with the aim of reducing plastic waste. All products are vegan, cruelty free and made from natural ingredients from UK suppliers.

The Eco Pantry

Unit C1, Chart Farm, Seal Chart, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0ES
www.theecopantry.co.uk
Plastic free refillery. Weigh container, fill, weigh again, label and pay. Bring your containers and fill them up. Grains, nuts, seeds, toiletries, cereals, herbs and spices, pasta, chocolate (vegan, raw) and lots more.

Online options

Amazon — chemical free soaps not in plastic bottles.

Farmers’ markets, farm shops and organic delivery

Buying from independent retailers and local farms reduces food miles and supports seasonal eating.

Chart Farm, Seal Chart, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0ES

Family run farm in Sevenoaks. Passionate about top quality seasonal produce, either reared by them or sourced locally from farmers who share their values. Traditional farming with a focus on natural and ethical animal care.

Romshed Organic Farm, Underriver

Based on strong conservation principles. Animals are naturally reared on pastures rich in diversity and wildflowers. Beef and lamb are certified Pasture for Life and organic with the Soil Association.

Hadlow College Farm Shop

Faulkners Farm, Ashes Lane, just off the A26 between Hadlow and Tonbridge.
Fresh produce plus lamb, beef, poultry and eggs from the Princess Christian’s Farm site.

Organic box schemes

Riverford Organic — various box options for fruit, veg, meat and dairy.
Abel & Cole — organic food and household products.

Market Gardens Farm Shop, Hildenborough

Farmers’ markets

Shipbourne

Every Thursday 9.00 to 11.00 — around 20 stalls of fresh local produce
St Giles’ Church, Stumble Hill, Shipbourne
www.kfma.org.uk

Hildenborough

Every Tuesday 9.00 to 11.00 — around 15 stalls of fresh local produce
St John’s Church Centre, Tonbridge Road, Hildenborough
www.hildenboroughfarmersmarket.co.uk

Penshurst

First Saturday each month 9.30 to 12.00 — around 30 stalls of fresh local produce, including free range meats and bread
Penshurst Place car park, Penshurst Place, Penshurst
www.kfma.org.uk

Being mindful and thinking sustainably

• Buy less and invest in better quality products.
• Buy from independent retailers. Choose Fairtrade where possible and look for companies that are members of the Ethical Trading Initiative.
• Give back to nature in your garden. Offer food and water to attract wildlife. Fragrant flowers in a pot will attract bees and butterflies. Put up a bird box.
• Avoid pesticides and fertilisers that harm wildlife and people.
• Install a water butt and harvest rainwater.
• Make the most of British produce. Get locally grown veg delivered.
• Try to shop seasonally and organic where possible. Take your own produce bags to cut back on plastics.
• Choose food without packaging or with minimal packaging.
• Always have reusable bags with you.
• Use bar soap instead of liquid soap.
• Ask for no plastic and reuse plastic packaging with online orders.
• Eat more legumes and vegetables.
• Swap tea bags for loose leaf tea in a reusable strainer.
• Plastic free tea bags exist. Options include Abel & Cole plastic free tea bags, Clipper, Pukka, Twinings loose leaf pyramid tea bags, Waitrose Duchy range, Yorkshire Tea.
• Order milk online: www.milkandmore.co.uk
• Buy oils in glass, not plastic.

Professional bodies and resources

The Federation of Nutritional Therapy Practitioners
www.fntp.org.uk

The General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies
www.grcct.org/main/

Nutritional Resource
http://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk/nutritionists/julia-spurr

Start with one swap this week, then another next week. Refill a bottle, try a shampoo bar, visit a local market, or add a wildlife friendly plant to a pot. Greener habits support both your health and the environment.