Choose Quality over Quantity
Vote with your money. All products come from nature.
Choose products made by people who care about the full supply chain and their workers
Choose products made by people who care about the full supply chain and their workers
The diversity of products and services we use is so broad and varied that I cannot make a reasonable list of specific recommendations. Instead I encourage you to include nature as a key influence in your daily purchasing decisions. To me, sustainable thinking means choosing to consume less material goods and putting effort into reducing my ecological footprint. For the products I purchase I am willing to pay a premium for quality, durability, energy efficiency, re-usability, fair working conditions, and products made in ways and from materials with comparatively low environmental impacts to the competition. I aim to support businesses that are small scale and local, over big business and brand names. I try to fix things that are broken, and follow the 3-Rs.
PODCAST (How I Build This - NPR) - Yvon Chouinard on Patagonia
This is a wonderful example of how large companies can also be more sustainableSome important considerations when making a purchase...
Find products made from more sustainable, durable, reusable, recycled, or recyclable materials
Prioritize energy and water efficiency - Energy Star , EnerGuide labels , WaterSense
Look for labels linked to sustainability - Guide to Canadian sustainability labels
Consider buying used / second hand
Learn to repair rather than replace
Examples of Sustainable Shopping for Calgarians
DIY / Used / Shared Resources
Thrift Stores in Calgary
Consignment Stores in Calgary (buy and SELL used clothes)
Calgary Public Library - a truly astounding public resource
Calgary Tool Library - tools rental starting at $60/year
DIY Training Centre - Courses in all things DIY
U-Wrench - DIY Garage and Body Shop
Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji
are both filled with quality used goods
Online Shopping
well.ca - lots of green selection + great filtering options
babyjoy.ca - products for babies and young children
More Cool Local Businesses
Examples of Sustainable Shopping for Torontonians
Online Shopping
well.ca - lots of green selection + great filtering options
babyjoy.ca - products for babies and young children
Food For Thought...
The How Stuff Works guide to finding eco-friendly products
Not Your Typical Book about the Environment
DIY / Used / Shared Resources
Thrift Stores in Toronto, and these too
Toronto Public Library - a truly astounding public resource
Toronto Tool Library - tools rental for $55/year
bikeSauce - volunteer based DIY bike servicing