Shop Well
Sustainable Steps 1-3
One of our most powerful tools is our money. The way we spend it tells the people we give it to that they should keep doing more of the same.
I’m heartened to see more and more companies embracing sustainable values. Tentree and Patagonia, all about sustainability from the start, have grown into trendy name brands. Big chain stores with terrible track records are beginning to make strides in ethical sourcing and resource use. This shows that people care — and that the movement is well underway.
But fast fashion is still a big problem. Polyester and other synthetic fabrics, used in everything from hoodies to athletic wear, leach microplastics into the ecosystem every time they’re washed. And overconsumerism — buying more than we need to trying to stay caught up to trends — is still a widespread western habit that’s consuming resources, polluting water tables, destroying habitats, and spewing carbon emissions, from production to transportation to the landfill.
How can we fix this?
Sustainable Step #1: Buy Less This one is easy lately — with the price of everything going nuts, pretty much everyone I know is being much more mindful about what we buy and what we leave behind.
Sustainable Step #2: Buy Used Thrifting is so hot right now, and that is another great sign that the eco-movement is in full swing. Before you buy something new, consider if it’s something you might find at a thrift store, an online marketplace, or a community rummage sale.
Sustainable Step #3: Buy Ethical This one is trickier. Often the ethical, sustainable brands price themselves out of the running. But the more widespread the demand is, the more brands are popping up that try to keep prices sustainable too. (Which is what I do with the shop section of this site.)
How can you tell if a brand is ethical or sustainable?
Just read their website. They’ll tell you all the ways they love Planet Earth and give all the workers in their supply chain a great life. KIDDING. Green washing is real, and I rely on external reviews to help me decide who to shop with.
The B Corp certification is a good start. If a company has earned this, it means they’ve passed an independent review and shown that their business plan improves the world around it.
Good On You gives companies a rating from “We Avoid” to “Great” based on their impact on people, animals, and the planet. These guys dig deep and grade hard — a good mark from them is hard to come by.
I also like Karma Wallet‘s rating model. They use the U.N.’s sustainable goals to rate companies out of 16.
Does a company have to tick all the boxes? Doesn’t that get expensive?
Very few companies tick all the boxes. How high your standards are is completely up to you and your budget. For me, for right now, if a company meets any of the above standards, I’m happy to support them. They’re showing that they care about moving toward a world that works — and my money is happy to show them some appreciation.
With the Sustainable Steps clothing line, there are some standards (like ethical treatment of workers and sourcing of fabrics) that I won’t compromise. But do they have to be the most sustainable options out there, made in factories powered only by renewables that recycle every scrap of discarded fabric? No. I offer different options for different budgets — mindful of the fact that financial sustainability is real. And I do the same thing when I shop.
I’m not perfect. The whole point of this site is for all of us to amble toward sustainability in our own imperfect way, in ways that improve rather than impede our lives, and ways we can sustain. Sometimes I buy a Starbucks drink in a single-use cup. Sometimes I buy my nieces and nephews the plastic Christmas gifts they’re asking for. But I do less of this stuff each day/month/year.
What I do is aim for balance. I make sure that every purchase is conscious. I make the most sustainable choice that I can to get my needs met.
Below are some of my favorite places to shop that do tick the boxes, across a variety of categories. It’s a growing list, and I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comment box below.
KIDS CLOTHING
Mini Mioche — soft and durable, these clothes are made in Canada and built to last. They have a range of clothes, from sweats to dresses, that feel great against your skin.
Therm Kids — high quality outerwear — sustainable, affordable, and cute styles. Originally from New Zealand and now based in Whistler, Canada.
Wheat — children’s clothing and shoes. Designed in Denmark, owned in Canada, ethical and sustainable manufacturing.
Whistle & Flute — cute, original sweats and T-shirts. Great prices, quality, and customer service.
Little and Lively — Beautiful, soft fabrics that feel great against your skin. This is one of my favorite places to shop for my daughter and myself.
ADULT CLOTHING
Athleta — women’s and girl’s athletic wear that my daughter and I both love. It’s not at the highest end of sustainable choices, but as a B Corp, I consider it an OK choice for sometimes. (And when their stuff is on sale, it’s very budget-sustainable.)
Encircled — Canadian made, owned, and operated. I haven’t shopped here yet, but plan to soon. Looks like an elevated, ethical alternative to Aritizia.
Kotn — Toronto-based company with gender neutral designs for adults.
Patagonia — An innovator in putting the planet first. High prices, but with quality to match, and you know your money is going somewhere good.
Quince — This is my new favourite brand. Prices are amazing, styles are current, and their sustainability factor is sensational. They ship internationally with duty paid shipping. Highly recommend.
Salt – From Saltspring Island, their clothing is designed and made in Canada using sustainable materials. They have some cute kid options, too.
Tentree — My all-time favorite for sweats and lounge wear. Among other awesome actions, they plant a tree for every item purchased.
Wallaroo (hats for the whole family) — Simple, fun hats — straw, canvas, and other sustainable hats that look great and protect you from the sun. Sadly, they only deliver in the States at the moment, but you can find their brand at some Canadian retailers too.
HAIR & SKIN CARE
Everist – An innovative Canadian company who ships shampoo, conditioner, and skin cleanser in concentrated tubes or tins — minus the water. They use clean, moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin, and none of the chemicals that suck for the planet or human health. I used to use a lot of product to tame my dry frizz after washing, but with Everist, I don’t need to. I especially love their quick dry hair towel.
The Body Shop is somewhere I’m happy to shop sometimes. (Like at our local mall where the cosmetics options are them or Sephora.) They get full marks in the animal welfare department, but Good On You rates them “It’s A Start” in the people and planet departments.
FOOTWEAR
Allbirds — A New Zealand-based B Corporation with cute casual shoes.
Vessi — A Vancouver brand that’s all about waterproof and comfort. I wear their Courtside Classic running shoe all winter long. Among other great practices, they support clean water initiatives around the world.
BEDDING/LINENS
Pact – An international company with clothing and home linens. They get great reviews on the ethical and sustainability fronts, and I’m including them here because a lot of people love them, but I find their pricing and quality inconsistent.
Simons – We bought our daughter’s bedding in their sustainable (Visions) department. Great prices for organic cotton.
Tofino Towel Co. — These beach towels and ponchos are dreamy. Pricey, but watch for sales!
HOUSEHOLD
IKEA – Not only is it super fun to spend a day there eating and browsing, but it’s a global company with amazing ethics — from running their stores on renewable energy to healthy (hormone and antibiotic free) foods in their (super value) food court to using 98% recycled or FSC-certified wood in their furniture.
PLANT SUPPLIES
Frondly – Our go-to plant store in Vancouver for soil, supplies, and (though we try to resist them because our house is a bit of a jungle) new plants. They source their plants locally, use minimal (and 100% recyclable) packaging, and plant a tree for every plant sold.
Kanso Designs – Simple, elegant pots made from recycled materials. (A Canadian company to boot.)
Mossify — A Canadian company that invented the bendable moss pole that we use for our monstera. They use sustainable materials and plant a tree for every order.
LUGGAGE
Monos – This Vancouver-based company is climate neutral certified and makes the best luggage I’ve ever owned. Prices are high, but they run excellent sales (Black Friday in particular).
Quince – Now that they ship to Canada, I think Quince takes the trophy for best value for quality, sustainable luggage.
Solgaard – Their carry-on closet has a neat design, and I like that they have a built-in battery pack option. I don’t own one (I love my Monos carry-on and don’t need another one) but they’re on my short list if I ever need to replace mine.
Want to dive deeper? These blog posts have specific tips about eco-savvy shopping:
