York, with its ancient city walls and cobbled streets, is not just steeped in history—it’s becoming a quiet leader in sustainable urban living. Whether you're a local resident, visiting tourist, or short let guest staying in the city for a while, York offers a growing range of eco-conscious options to help you shop, eat, and live more sustainably.
In this guide, we explore York’s best zero-waste shops, refill stations, sustainable cafés, and local tips for eco-friendly living in one of the UK’s most charming cities.
Where: 1 Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 1NA
Why It’s Great: A friendly, community-run zero-waste shop offering unpackaged whole foods, household products, toiletries, and snacks. Bring your own containers or use their paper bags.
What to Expect: Refill stations for pasta, grains, nuts, dried fruit, laundry liquid, shampoo, and more. Also stocks local honey and ethical cleaning products.
Where: 22-24 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LG
Why It’s Great: Run by volunteers and students at the University of York, this social enterprise stocks organic wholefoods, plastic-free items, and vegan snacks.
What to Expect: Affordable prices, refills by weight, and a strong ethical mission. Ideal for anyone living near the city centre or university area.
Where: 104 Fishergate, York YO10 4BB
Why It’s Great: A worker’s co-op that has been supporting sustainable food systems since the 1970s.
What to Expect: Loose organic produce, dried foods by weight, dairy-free options, and refillable eco-cleaning products. You’ll also find fairtrade coffee, local jams, and handmade soaps.
York is part of the nationwide Refill campaign, offering a growing number of cafés and shops that let you refill your water bottle for free. Just look for the blue “Refill” stickers in windows.
You can also find toiletry refills (shampoo, body wash, conditioner, etc.) at:
The Bishy Weigh
Alligator Wholefoods
Holland & Barrett (larger stores with refill stations)
Where: 35 Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 1NA
Why It’s Great: Uses local ingredients, supports small producers, and minimises waste in their kitchen. Offers compostable takeaway containers.
Eco Tip: Bring your own reusable cup for a discount.
Where: 5 Museum St, York YO1 7DT
Why It’s Great: A local favourite for brunch. While not a “zero-waste” café, they prioritise locally sourced, seasonal produce and reduce single-use plastics.
Try: Their granola bowls and vegetarian sandwiches.
Why It’s Great: A B-Corp-certified restaurant with a strong commitment to sustainability, including sourcing local ingredients and using biodegradable packaging.
Good For: Eco-conscious dining with a social vibe.
Bring Reusables:
York’s businesses are happy to accommodate reusable coffee cups, containers, and bags. Keep them with you while exploring the city.
Stay Central, Walk Everywhere:
York is a compact, walkable city. Staying in a centrally located short let helps reduce your travel emissions and gives you better access to shops and markets.
Use Local Markets:
Shambles Market offers local fruit, veg, and street food with less packaging.
Spark York is a hub for independent traders with a focus on sustainability, creativity, and reuse (many stalls are built from reclaimed shipping containers).
Recycle Right:
If you’re staying in a short let, ask your host about York’s recycling policies. The city collects paper, glass, plastics, and food waste—keep it separate for proper disposal.
Short-term rental guests can support sustainability by choosing properties that operate responsibly. Pass the Keys manages a wide selection of stylish, fully equipped short lets across York—many of which are close to local shops and public transport, reducing the need for cars or excessive packaging.
Pass the Keys also helps property owners adopt eco-friendly practices, from digital guest guides (reducing paper use) to partnering with local cleaners who use green products.
Whether you’re here for a few days or a few weeks, a PTK-managed home gives you the comfort of a hotel with the freedom to live low-impact.
York may be ancient, but its sustainable scene is thoroughly modern. From refill stores and ethical co-ops to eco cafés and mindful markets, living greener in this walled city is both achievable and rewarding. Whether you’re a visitor trying to reduce your footprint or a host looking to make your property more planet-friendly, York makes it easy to walk the walk.