Our local area is packed with lively groups focused on making positive change in our area and the planet as a whole.
At Sustainable St Albans, we value collaboration over competition. We’ve compiled a list of local groups making valuable contributions to our society and environment but we’re very aware that this is only a very small selection. As we develop our resources and listings for businesses, groups and enterprises in St Albans District, do let us know if we’ve missed off a favourite.
Non Government Organisations and Charities
- The Green House
- Friends of the Earth St Albans is a local branch of the nationwide environmental charity taking action by lobbying local, national and international politicians and companies.
- Greenpeace St Albans is a local group of the international environmental charity that meets regularly and campaigns to protect the planet and its people.
- Divest Herts aims to tackle climate change at a local level by encouraging Herts Country Council and other organisations to divest from fossil fuels.
- Wilderhood Watch is an action group with its roots in Lancaster and Gurney Court Roads and is focused on sustainable local projects and campaigns particularly related to wildlife, hedgehogs, and urban eco-systems.
- St Albans Eco is a Facebook group to share local information and tips on living more sustainably and raise awareness of the climate emergency.
- St Albans Environment Action Group connects local groups and individuals with councils, supports councils’ efforts to improve the environment, and implements actions through local councils and bodies.
- Extinction Rebellion St Albans is part of the global grassroots environmental movement aiming to inspire change to avoid tipping points in the climate system, biodiversity loss, social and economic collapse.
- Plastic Free Harpenden has a lively Facebook group offering local suggestions and support in reducing plastic use, and organising events. Join them on Facebook, twitter and instagram.
- Plastic Free St Albans is an alliance of local people working together to reduce the use of single use plastics in St Albans, in particular straws, plastic water bottles and balloons with the help of local people and businesses. Join them on Twitter @plasticfreesta and Facebook.
Local community growing groups
- FoodSmiles St Albans is a Community Benefit Society that aims to encourage people to grow and eat more sustainable local food through building a community of food-growers.
- Incredible Edible St Albans, part of FoodSmiles, is a network of open community gardens providing food and growing skills to local people.
- Earthworks manages 3.5 acres of eco-gardens, teaching skills to people with learning disabilities and selling seasonal, local produce in local markets.
- Grow Community Sopwell is a local group of volunteers supporting people in Sopwell to grow their own food from home or in community gardens.
Local businesses: Food & Drink
- Packaging-free businesses include Eat Wholefoods
- Local growers include Carpenters’ Nursery, Earthworks and Smallford Farm Shop.
- Lussmans in St Albans, Harpenden and elsewhere in Hertfordshire, is an award-winning sustainable fish and grill restaurant and food shop offering ready-to-cook meals, fresh veg, fish, cheese and essential pantry items.
- unpckd is a milkman-style refill delivery service, for pantry, toiletry & cleaning products.
- Topping up your water bottles: Refill St Albans is working to provide top-up points for reusable water bottles. Download the app for an on-the-go map of where to get tap water refills.
- Harpenden Sustainability Market traders in this category include: The Weeping Chef Dosa Clique, Chilli Gold, Eat Wholefoods, The Vegan Treats Company, Chocolate Seekers, Aroma Artist
Local businesses: Clothing, Homeware and Sanitaryware
- Jefferson Eco in St Albans
- My Refill Life delivers around the district
- Healthy and Wise, 84 High Street Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2SP
- Harpenden Sustainability Market traders in this category include: Zen Studio Therapies, Balmy, Discover Blue, Edgy Threads, Tommie and Lottie, Trade & Retail, Woz Designs, Jefferson Eco
