Sustainable shopping and the circular economy are the goal of more and more citizens who are concerned about the health of the planet. Recycle, reuse and reduce. Surely these three concepts sound familiar to you, right? These are the goals of many markets and shops throughout Spain that want to promote sustainability in the shopping process. There, you will find items of all kinds, from clothes to toys or antiques. You will be able to go back home with a handmade or second-hand item and be the envy of your friends. Learn to shop sustainably with these ideas!
Second-hand shops, antiques and vintage products
“We give products a longer life, and by not throwing things away, we reduce waste and excessive consumption associated with street shopping”. This is the Fleamarket, a second-hand market in Barcelona, located in Plaza Salvador Seguí (next to the Film Library). Also on the shores of the Mediterranean, in Valencia, you can visit El Rastro, another market where you can purchase all sorts of antiques to always remember your time in the Mediterranean.
In other parts of the country, you will also find other flea markets that are quite distinctive, such as in Madrid (in La Latina), Bilbao (2 de mayo) and Gijón (very close to El Molinón stadium). In Madrid, you can visit the well-known vintage market in Malasaña neighbourhood, which follows the philosophy of “weigh it, pay it”. You can pay for clothes from the 70s and 80s, books and records depending on how much they weigh. Very original, right?
Sustainable craftwork in Spain
Sustainable craftwork is one of Spain's hallmark, and year after year craft markets offer endless items. The Canary Islands are not only a place of unparalleled sun and beach, but also a must if you are interested in buying local sustainable crafts. All the products on offer are manufactured on the islands themselves, encourage the employment of their residents and have a low environmental impact. There are many sustainable craft markets in the Canary Islands: Vegueta flea market (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), the traditional flea market of La Oliva (Fuerteventura), the Villa de Mazo flea market (La Palma) or the Teguise flea market (Lanzarote).
During spring, the EcoKids event in La Marina (Valencia) is the perfect family space with attractions for children, local craft products and proximity, as well as various types of activities. Further north, in Castellón, many towns have been home to a centuries-old crafts tradition. Wood, textiles, ceramics, espadrilles and endless products await you in towns like Morella, Alcora or Peñíscola. Other locations famous for their crafts include la Alpujarra Granada, with its colourful fabric, known as “jarapas”, where you can find souvenirs made with manual looms; Almagro, a town in Ciudad Real with a long tradition of lace pieces; Capdepera y Artà, a town of Mallorca where you can buy hats, baskets or shoes made from hearts of palm; or if you love ceramics and embroidery, do not hesitate to visit Lagartera, in Toledo. Come and choose this alternative to the big shopping centres.
Flagship stores of slow fashion
Have you ever heard the term “slow fashion”? This trend, increasingly popular in Spain, seeks to promote sustainable fashion, steering away from pure consumerism and promoting the idea of buying less, but better. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact through the fashion revolution. If you are in Barcelona, you will find many establishments of this type, especially in La Ciutadella, Gràcia and the Gothic Quarter.
Madrid is not far behind in terms of slow fashion offerings. These spaces have a common denominator: sustainability and the sale of local products Made in Spain. In the city centre, you can visit several slow fashion shops, small studios displaying quality collections made with the best materials. The garments last longer and you avoid falling into excess clothes shopping. On the streets of Santa Teresa, Justiniano, Huertas and Gravina you will come across sustainable shops where you will surely be able to take home a souvenir of your time in Madrid.
