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"If you want to change the world, you must begin from where you are" says Roger Budgeon, who set up the Green Shop nine years ago in Bisley, South Gloucester. And one step inside his shop and you know your life is about to be transformed. Not only is the shop packed full of the latest in eco friendly living, but the whole site is run to be as sustainable as possible - for instance, waste oil from cars is used to heat the workshop, whilst rainwater is collected to flush the loos and clean the cars, solar energy is used to heat the water and produce electricity, and everything that can be is recycled. It is a fascinating blueprint for the way all our homes, shops, offices and factories will function - one day.

"The philosophy of the Green Shop is simple - to do the best we can, both ethically and environmentally", says Jane, who helps run the shop. "And with this in mind, we are very careful with what products we stock. Where possible we support locally produced, Fair Trade, vegetarian and vegan products - and take active steps to keep our air miles down. Why buy items from abroad when they are just as good, if not better, made locally?"

The shop has an active mail order department too, and in fact this area accounts for over 50% of their business. Best sellers include eco friendly paint, books, cleaning products and body care, recycled paper - and their extremely popular wind up mobile phone rechargers. But it is the petrol station out the front that is perhaps at the crest of the 'next big wave', for this is the first petrol station in the UK to sell blended Bio-Diesel, something which is going to grow and grow in popularity as more places make it available and more cars are converted to run on alternatives to petro-chemicals.The Green Shop is an excellent place to visit, not only for its products but as an educational experience in itself. Bristol is lucky to have such a pioneering and cutting edge shop right on its doorstep, and I would recommend a visit to anyone. Meanwhile, phone for the catalogue and be inspired.

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