If living in a more environmentally responsible way is top-of-mind for you in 2020, here are a few Toronto businesses that will help you reach your #sustainabilitygoals.
This chic eco-boutique in the heart of Roncesvalles is stocked with green living solutions, from reusable bags, bottles and food containers to toxin-free body and home care products. Charming items like hand-poured soy candles and Turkish cotton towels are perfect for housewarming or Valentine’s gifts, and a focus on local craftsmanship means you can also get your pick of Toronto-themed totes and tees. Ecotique also offers a bulk refill program, so you can bring in your reusable containers to stock up on staples like laundry detergent, shampoo and hand soap. Launched in 2012, the eco-friendly store has established a strong community following with its environmental sensibility and no-compromises aesthetic – the lightly stocked shelves and highly curated product selection appeal to the minimalist, as well as ecologically conscious, mindset.
You’ve already heard about the damage fast fashion causes to the environment. Recently we’ve seen a renewed focus on buying higher quality clothing you love, keeping it for longer, and repairing it when necessary. If years of shopping the clearance rack at Zara and H&M have left you lacking the skills for those common repairs, enter Parkdale’s Workroom. Their eco-friendly workshops like sewing machine essentials, easy alterations and sweater mending will teach you to get your garments back into shape. If you really want to show off your skills, visible mending is trending right now – based on the Japanese art of sashiko, showing off your stitches not only shows that you eschew fast fashion; it turns something broken into something beautiful. If you’re looking to move toward a lifestyle of more conscious consumption, your wardrobe is a great place to start, and businesses like the Workroom are here to help.
Does saving on your energy bills and cutting your carbon footprint sound like a good thing? We think so too. Toronto-based Ecobee makes wi-fi enabled smart thermostats that make managing your home energy use easy. One of the city’s best green companies, Ecobee is looking at making a larger social impact through data collection initiatives (you can choose to donate) and partnerships with local housing organizations and NGOs. Not only that, the smart devices look modern and sleek, and can be programmed for voice control to help you manage those hot and cold spots that every home has. By installing one, you could also be eligible for an instant rebate from Enbridge. For multi-family and commercial buildings, check out the Smartbuildings subscription-based software for effortless energy optimization and savings.
If you’re looking to make eco-focused lifestyle improvements this year, these green-minded Toronto businesses are a great place to start.