Lots of pundits are proclaiming that the recession is over. At long last, the economy might be starting to pick up.

Of course, we're all eager to see more jobs again. But let's not rush straight back to where we were before. I'm in no hurry to see a return of bankers' bonuses, a fragile economy and massive consumer debt. I'd rather live in a world where the economy is robust and where people value other things besides shopping.

Some interesting things have happened to shopping habits during the recession. As we've had to tighten our belts, there's been a return to some of the values of self sufficiency and make do and mend that were more familiar to our grandparents. People have found that being thrifty can be fun, and it's often the greenest thing to do too.

More people are cooking proper meals for themselves. The supermarkets have reported a huge surge in vegetable sales as people realise they can feed their family for less than a fiver.

Cooking your own food is cheaper, healthier and better for the environment. Some are going one stage further, and growing their own, whether its tomatoes in their back gardens, herbs on the windowsill or potatoes down the allotment. Indeed, demand for allotments is at its highest since the 1940s, with waiting lists stretching to 100,000.

We are holidaying in the UK, which is good for our economy – since we spend money here – and good for the environment, because it means less flying. Five million more of us holidayed at home this year, many of us in the West Country. And a recent survey said that, despite the rain, most of us had a good time and are planning to do it again.

There's a boom in secondhand stuff. There are parties to swap clothes and vintage is in vogue. Membership of the website Freecycle has boomed, reaching six million. I was down at Cheddar car boot sale a fortnight ago, and it was rammed with people having a day out searching for a bargain.

So, as the economy improves, let's not return to the same old shopping habits, buying loads of new and expensive stuff we don't really need. Thrifty can still be nifty.

O ne of the impacts of the recession is that we have lots of empty commercial buildings. Apparently 2,000 of them, and rising, sit empty in Bristol. Some guys I know have taken over a huge empty office block on Stokes Croft – the one with the Bansky Mild Mild West mural – and decided to put it to better use.

Their project is called Coexist, and as well as providing spaces for the local community to use, they're letting out cheap offices, rehearsal rooms and studios to a bunch of assorted artists, teachers, and musicians – basically anyone who is trying to set up a business and make a living.

Empty buildings are an eyesore and they bring an area down. With so many people unemployed, looking to start up businesses or just with more time on their hands, shouldn't our councils be finding more creative ways to put these empty premises to use?

Here's this month's green tip. In order to save a bit of money and reduce my impact on the environment, I've started brewing my own beer. It's cheap and it's environmentally friendly because the beer only travels a few yards from barrel to belly. And you sort of get used to the taste after a couple of pints. If you don't fancy making your own, try drinking local beers and ciders instead of that imported stuff. Bristol's got some of the best breweries in the world on its doorstep.

● Peter Madden is chief executive of the sustainable development charity Forum For The Future.