With Earth Day around the corner, sustainability is at the forefront of many people’s minds. Protecting Mother Earth has become an increasingly pressing issue, and many Canadian and even Torontonian brands are ensuring that responsibility and sustainability are an important part of their business models. So, with Earth Day on April 22, these are the brands to support that are both good for you and good for the environment:
Wild Fork
If you’re looking for a sustainable, delicious, affordable food delivery box, Wild Fork is the answer. Zero food waste is the main mission of this new brand, and everything–from the beef to the sausage to the vegetables–is sourced responsibly. More than that, everything is sustainably packaged and transported in a way that reduces emissions. And, it’s an affordable option, maintaining a fair price while food prices soar.
Back to Earth Skin
“We are all deserving of clean skincare that can be trusted to not only deliver healthy, beautiful skin but to do so safely and without compromise,” says Kiley Routely, the brand’s founder. “Back to Earth Skin is committed to challenging the status quo by producing 100% natural products, bringing to market a transparent brand and product line that offers both sustainable products and packaging.” Each product, from the facial serum to the makeup remover, is made with natural ingredients and thoughtful packaging, which reduces waste and emissions.
Bloomsie
This modern flower-giving experience is the first of its kind, launched by Toronto mom and former model, Quinn Cooper. Bloomsie is a digital start-up that reimagines floral arrangements through design and technology. It creates a new way to send and receive flowers that is convenient, affordable and sustainable. It captures real cut flower arrangements through time-lapse video, pairs them with music and allows recipients to see their bouquet open from tight buds to bursting blossoms. Of course, this makes it so that one flower arrangement can be enjoyed by many different people, creating a waste and emission-reducing, earth-friendly alternative.
1 Kitchen Toronto
Of course, the city’s sustainable hotel is celebrating Earth Day–and Earth Month–in style. Offerings this month include A Cocktail Inspired By The Planet, a sustainable cocktail selection purposefully designed with natural elements in mind. It’s called the Sapphire Tides, and made with aquafaba, Bombay Sapphire, and custom 1 Hotel wafers. The food selection includes trout crudo and grilled lamb chop, both of which stick to 1 Kitchen’s planet-friendly motto.
Pyrrha
Pyrrha founders Danielle and Wade Papin have been creating jewelry in Vancouver since 1995. They create with the mission of making meaningful and sustainable jewelry that fosters connection through personal storytelling. The brand handcrafts its jewelry, through the entire process, inside its certified Zero Carbon studio using only recycled sterling silver, 14k gold, and bronze. The designs are available at retailers across North America, as well as online.
Keika Naturals
This brand is known for its charcoal, triple-milled soap is crafted entirely with nature-derived ingredients. And, Keika naturals is a minority-owned, eco-conscience wellness brand that was created by a husband and wife duo with one goal in mind: to help both people and the planet. All of their products, from serums to bars, are responsibly sourced and vegan and, as an added bonus, a tree is planted in a developing country with every item sold.
Cèla (and the Earth Day sale!)
This skincare brand is doing double duty this year, offering two new planet-friendly products the Northern Face Oil and the Northern Eye Cream. Officially launching on April 27, they boast an ingredient list of cruelty-free, sustainably-sourced Canadian ingredients. They complement a long list of products that benefit both the skin and the environment. And, for an added bonus, 50% of sales made on Earth Day will see the proceeds go to Forests Ontario, promoting tree planting across the country. According to Instagram, the brand will also offer “15% off on Glacier Facial Collection, and discover the benefits of Glacial Oceanic Clay from the coast of BC, harvested under very strict governmental, environmental and community guidelines with a minimal ecological footprint.”
Leah Yard Designs
The brand’s Zodiac necklace is the perfect personalized gift for anyone in your life, and Leah Yard‘s demi-fine jewelry is responsible for more than just the earth. 5% of all profits are donated to the DEWC (Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre) which helps vulnerable women living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, one of the most notoriously underrepresented neighbourhoods in Canada. And, each Leah Yard piece is Responsible Jewelry Council and ethically produced using recycled metals to help reduce environmental impact. They’re also built to last, reducing waste.
FRANC
Everything about FRANC is something to be proud of. Each classic piece is ethically made in Canada, from start to finish, only using sustainable fabrics. High-quality garments meet social consciousness, with the intention of combating fast fashion and making the fashion world a more thoughtful place. And, the women-owned brand is ultra-inclusive, offering sizes from XXS to 4XL.