Categories

The alternatives grouped by area of everyday life.

Food and community farming

Community supported agriculture, farm shops, organic markets and food co-ops.

19 alternatives

Housing, building and renovation

Natural building materials, insulation, energy advice, housing co-ops and shared living.

11 alternatives

Renting and tenants’ rights

Tenants’ associations, rent rules, deposits, service charges and how to find a flat.

10 alternatives

Energy and heating

Genuine green electricity suppliers, energy co-ops, solar panels, heat pumps and saving energy.

9 alternatives

Health, care and wellbeing

Independent health information, care services, mental health and psychological support.

19 alternatives

Education and training

Free courses, open educational resources, adult education centres and libraries.

9 alternatives

Mobility, cars and transport

Cycling, public transport, trains, car sharing, electric cars, boats and planes.

10 alternatives

Banking, insurance and pensions

Ethical banks, cooperative banks, sustainable investments and fair insurance.

12 alternatives

Work and cooperative economy

Cooperatives, social enterprises, purpose-driven jobs and the solidarity economy.

16 alternatives

Clothing and mending

Fair fashion brands, local makers, second-hand clothing, tailors and mending.

6 alternatives

News, media and knowledge

Independent and reader-funded media, fact-checking, encyclopedias and science communication.

6 alternatives

Travel and tourism

Train travel, night trains, eco-certified accommodation, hospitality networks and holidays close to home.

11 alternatives

Digital services, software and devices

Free and open source software, European alternatives to big tech, privacy-friendly services and green hosting.

16 alternatives

Household and personal care

Cleaning products, laundry, refills and simple home-made alternatives.

10 alternatives

Telecoms: mobile, internet and email

Cooperative and ethical mobile operators, internet providers and privacy-friendly email.

8 alternatives

Search engines, social networks and messengers

Privacy-friendly search engines, the Fediverse, Mastodon and encrypted messengers.

10 alternatives

Shopping: online, marketplaces and local shops

Independent online shops, fair marketplaces, local shops and buying directly from makers.

24 alternatives

Second-hand, swapping, lending and sharing

Second-hand shops, swap groups, tool libraries, lending platforms and giveaway shops.

18 alternatives

Repair and do it yourself

Repair cafés, community workshops, spare parts, repair guides and makerspaces.

8 alternatives

Furniture and furnishing

Solid wood furniture, local carpenters, second-hand and restored furniture, natural textiles.

7 alternatives

Electronics and home appliances

Repairable phones and laptops, refurbished devices, durable appliances and energy labels.

10 alternatives

Waste, recycling and zero waste

Avoiding packaging, bulk shops, composting, sorting rules and where to take what.

20 alternatives

Water and sanitation

Drinking tap water, saving water, rainwater use, dry toilets and water-saving fittings.

8 alternatives

Garden, seeds and biodiversity

Organic and seed-saving seeds, community gardens, native plants and wildlife-friendly gardening.

9 alternatives

Children, family and toys

Safe and durable toys, second-hand baby gear, cloth nappies, family advice and child care.

7 alternatives

Pets and pet food

Adopting from shelters, sustainable pet food, vets and animal welfare organisations.

8 alternatives

Leisure, sport and outdoor gear

Sports clubs, hiking, durable and repairable outdoor gear, gear rental and second-hand equipment.

9 alternatives

Culture: books, music, films and streaming

Independent bookshops, libraries, fair music platforms, cinemas and public media libraries.

8 alternatives

Restaurants and food delivery

Restaurants with local and organic food, fair delivery cooperatives and ways against food waste.

9 alternatives

Drinks: coffee, tea, wine and beer

Fair trade coffee and tea, organic winemakers, local breweries and juice from regional orchards.

8 alternatives

Cosmetics and hygiene

Natural cosmetics, solid soaps and shampoos, reusable hygiene products and ingredient checkers.

10 alternatives

Nutrition advice and recipes

Evidence-based nutrition advice, seasonal calendars and simple, mostly plant-based recipes.

12 alternatives

Donations, volunteering and non-profits

Charity evaluators, donation seals, volunteering platforms and local associations.

13 alternatives

Political participation and citizens’ initiatives

Petitions, citizens’ initiatives, transparency tools, voting guides and local participation.

7 alternatives

Law, consumer protection and advice

Consumer advice centres, independent tests, legal aid, complaint letters and dispute resolution.

15 alternatives

Neighbourhood, community spaces and local networks

Neighbourhood networks, community centres, third places, local exchange systems and maps of local initiatives.

19 alternatives

Ageing, end of life and funerals

Shared housing for older people, care advice, living wills, hospices and natural burials.

9 alternatives

Celebrations, gifts and holidays

Gifts of time and experience, fair and second-hand gifts, reusable decorations and low-waste parties.

8 alternatives

Office, paper and printing

Recycled paper, eco-friendly print shops, refillable office supplies and durable printers.

7 alternatives