Good growth. Clear evidence.

Across our directories, we look for a real local connection and a specific, documented positive practice. We do not award an overall green score.

1. A real local connection

A public location in the directory’s area or a clearly stated service for people there. A registered office is not treated as a shop. Collection-only, remote and appointment-based services are described as such.

2. A positive practice with a source

Examples include repair and reuse, shared resources, community provision, access to skills, energy support, everyday cycling and specific sourcing commitments. Independent ownership alone is not evidence of positive impact. A practice tag describes the reason for inclusion, not an audited impact outcome.

3. Clear limits

“Public-source listing” means the linked published information has been reviewed. It does not mean the directory has interviewed the operator, visited the site, audited a supply chain or independently verified every claim. Self-reported claims remain self-reported. No membership, partnership or agreement to join is implied.

When details still need confirmation

In our first Walthamstow directory, “Needs confirmation” identifies council-listed repair or resale leads whose current trading details have not been confirmed with the operator. These are included for discovery, not presented as verified active shops. Their cards and profiles carry a warning, uncertain postcodes are omitted and map directions are withheld. Use the listing-status filter to separate them from the other public-source entries.

Fair ordering

Results are alphabetical by default. Search and filters change which entries are shown, not their impact rating. There are no paid rankings or purchased approval badges in this edition. Any future advertising or sponsorship must be clearly identified and kept separate from evidence review.

Review dates and corrections

Each profile shows its own source-review date. Review does not mean continuous monitoring. Opening times, stock, access and eligibility can change, so always check with the operator. Use “Suggest a correction” on a listing to prepare an update. Suggestions and corrections can be sent through WhatsApp. Every listing change still needs editorial approval.

Separate services, not inflated membership

The Forest Recycling Project paint service and Walthamstow Tool Library have separate entries because they offer different services. They are not counted as unrelated businesses. Nourished Communities is one listing with two local branches. The Gleaners and Waltham Forest Echo have separate operators from their host or postal venues, and The Tool House is not Walthamstow Tool Library. This is a directory of services, not a membership tally.

Before a member label is introduced

An operator identity check, agreement to join and documented evidence review would be needed. Any formal accreditation would need a link to the issuing body’s current register. A fee must never buy an evidence label.