London’s Iconic Camden Market Signals a Greener Future

As a frequent visitor of local farmers markets back in my hometown of Seattle, Camden Market exceeded my wildest imagination. Beautiful waterways, diverse food options, and scattered patches of greenery packaged in a steampunk, edgy architectural style. It deserves its reputation as one of London’s best tourist attractions and shopping spots. 

However, with its proximity to London’s aquatic ecosystem, it has done an excellent job with keeping environmental activists as well as its many customers happy. 

One of its biggest accomplishments in the realm of sustainability is the construction of its branch on Buck Street. Housed in a quaint corner away from the canals, Buck Street Market is created entirely from recycled shipping containers. As the home of London’s first eco-market, it boasts an assortment of vegan vendors and upcycled goods complete with a zero single-use-plastic policy. When I visited, it was no longer part of the Camden Market system - it has been taken over by a local company called BOXPARK - but it is still a must-visit in the area.

From Buck Street, keep walking towards the waterways and dive into the mess of clothing stores and jewelry designers deep inside the historic Interchange. These quaint, one-person shops are the heart and soul of Camden market. Many of their shirts and necklaces are upcycled from older goods that would have ended up in the landfill. 

I bought a few rings from a small nameless jewelry store on the first floor of the Interchange. The vendor, Maria, told me that she had fashioned these out of a set of used metal clothes-hangers and old cutlery. She told me that this market was not only a hotbed for sustainable innovation, but also a starting point for many wannabe designers. She said that most vendors here create their own goods with the hope of getting big. Not only does every purchase come with an exceedingly low environmental cost, but it also brings the seller closer to their dream. 

After I chatted with Maria, I took a break on the bridge above the canals. Every hour, a set of small barges stops along the shore and picks up a set of passengers en route to London’s Little Venice. Some of these ships are nearly 50 years old - they still run because of the loving efforts of Camden Market’s engineers. The tables on the boats also boast their own sustainability story - each one is made from around two thousand recycled yogurt pots. Together, these relics of the past live on, one 17-pound journey at a time.

Though Camden Market is physically defined by its cobblestone streets and worn-down brick buildings, its commitment to sustainable practices is both groundbreaking and stylish. It establishes itself as a historic symbol of London as well as a sign of the city’s commitment to the future. 

“Clearly, I’m not the one who admires Canals”