Discovering Eco-Friendly Entrepreneurship: Notable Sustainable Small Businesses in Canada and International Markets
In a world increasingly conscious of its environmental footprint, several small businesses across Canada and beyond are making waves by offering sustainable and ethical shopping options. From natural food wraps to reusable sanitary products, these businesses are revolutionising industries and providing practical solutions for consumers seeking to make a difference.
Based in Victoria, BC, Abeego specialises in natural food wraps that not only extend the life of food but are also reusable, all-natural, breathable, and provide a protective layer. In neighbouring Vancouver, BC, LEZÉ the Label produces versatile workwear that is comfortable and sustainable, keeping waste out of landfills. Courtenay, BC, is home to Blushing Bluebird Essentials, a small business that produces reusable cloth pads as a sustainable option for women.
Across the country, Jade, the creator of To Dye For in North Shuswap, BC, uses bamboo items in her tie dye creations, making for a more sustainable material choice. Beach Eclectic, based in Arizona, offers sustainable alternatives to plastic straws, providing reusable straws adorned with hand-painted charms, and Jami, the creator of Beach Eclectic, also produces reusable chopsticks and stemless glass charms.
The issue of period waste is a significant environmental concern, with the average woman using 10,944 sanitary pads in her lifetime, each taking 500-800 years to decompose. In response, businesses like Blushing Bluebird Essentials are offering reusable, eco-friendly alternatives.
Internationally, businesses like Akinda Co. based in California focus on sustainability, biodegradable fabrics, and transparency in their supply chain. In Worcestershire, England, Gemma Leakey, a wedding dress designer, focuses on sustainable choices in materials, detailing, tags, and packaging.
In Australia, Elk and Ina is a sustainable women's wear brand that specialises in creative clothing made by hand and hand-painted fabric. Plastic straws are a significant environmental issue, and Beach Eclectic provides a sustainable alternative. Airbrushed Apparel, based in London, England, produces sustainable fashion, using plastic from the ocean in their materials and refusing to airbrush models.
For consumers seeking to support sustainable and ethical shopping practices online, several options are available. In Canada, The Sustainable Shop, Dream Weaver Canada, and Miik offer a low waste shopping experience, promoting waste-free products, ethical and sustainable clothing, and timeless, comfortable styles made for real women's bodies.
Etsy, an international marketplace for custom, vintage, and handmade goods, supports independent artisans and is powered by renewable energy, offsetting 100% of carbon emissions from shipping and giving back to community initiatives. Earth Hero, a certified B Corp, offers sustainable and safe products, including zero-waste kits and baby essentials, and offsets the carbon footprint of orders. Yes Friends, offering affordable, ethical, and sustainable clothing, designs collections based on customer input to reduce waste and create long-lasting apparel.
These businesses provide practical options for consumers seeking to make a difference while shopping, with a combination of local Canadian offerings and broader global reach. Each emphasises reducing environmental impact, supporting local or small-scale producers, and promoting fair practices in their industries. By choosing to shop sustainably, consumers can play a vital role in protecting our planet.
- Abeego, based in Victoria, BC, offers natural food wraps that are reusable, all-natural, and sustain the freshness of food, promoting a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
- LEZÉ the Label, located in Vancouver, BC, produces sustainable workwear that is not only fashionable but also contributes to reducing waste in landfills.
- Blushing Bluebird Essentials, a business in Courtenay, BC, provides reusable cloth pads as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to disposable menstrual products.
- Jade, the creator of To Dye For in North Shuswap, BC, uses sustainable bamboo items in her tie dye creations, contributing to the movement of eco-friendly fashion-and-beauty products.
- Beach Eclectic, based in Arizona, offers reusable straws and chopsticks, providing an ethical and plastic-free option for food-and-drink enthusiasts.
- In response to the issue of period waste, businesses like Blushing Bluebird Essentials are offering reusable, eco-friendly options for women, promoting sustainability in the home-and-garden sector.
- For consumers seeking to support sustainable living practices online, options like Etsy, The Sustainable Shop, Dream Weaver Canada, Miik, Earth Hero, and Yes Friends offer a variety of eco-friendly and ethical products, supporting small businesses and global sustainable initiatives.
