Independent local shops and street markets have the potential to be the UK's greenest grocers, despite intensive PR from supermarkets highlighting their environmental credentials says Friends of the Earth's `Shop Local First ' campaign, which encourages shoppers to switch their shopping away from big supermarkets to local outlets.

Research by Sheffield Hallam University has shown that big supermarkets emit on average three times as much carbon dioxide per square foot than an average greengrocer. A separate study by the Local Government Association found that a higher proportion of packaging at street markets was recyclable than in the big supermarkets.

The recent Competition Commission report on supermarkets which, says Friends of the Earth, failed to grasp the value of local shops. The environmental campaign group is concerned that if the Government follows the Commission's recommendations planning rules will be altered to allow even more big supermarkets at the expense of smaller independent shops and markets.

Friends of the Earth's food campaigner, Sandra Bell said:

"The big supermarkets may have grabbed the headlines with their promises to be green grocers, but local shops and market stalls are already ahead of them on issues like packaging and reducing car-use. Local shops have huge potential to offer genuinely local food, but they need more support from the Competition Commission, and from local and national government".

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