Ethical Consumer

Ideally booking a hotel in an area rich in the sights that you want to take in will alleviate questions of how to get about. Once you’ve made it to your destination, try renting bicycles and see the sights on two wheels...

My children and I were walking along when suddenly they both froze. No matter what I said they stood stalk still, not a sound. And then I heard it: the ice truck. Summer is upon us and our thoughts are turning to summer vacation, sunny days, and, of course, ice cream. While you plan your [...]

Without wanting to give away TMI – that’s an acronym I invented for “Too Much Information” – I am dying to recount my reflections as a recent hire at a non-profit...

Today is World Ocean’s Day and next Sunday is Canadian Rivers Day. We take from our waters large amounts of creatures which we dine on and enjoy so much. There was a report out recently that stated that the world’s fisheries could collapse by 2048 if we do not start to adopt sustainable habits...

June is here and father’s day is just around the corner. At our house, dad is one of the most difficult people to buy for and I always appreciate some ideas. Here are some eco-friendly picks for dads everywhere that show love for dad and the planet...

Two of Hearts is a Vancouver-based clothing line and boutique co-created by CiCi designer Jenny Yen and Togs designer Tabitha Savoie...

When I started www.ethicalconsumer.ca one year ago today, I was unaware of the impact such a resource could have. I had been seeking out ethical businesses as part of my own quest to live a sustainable life and create a sustainable planet for everyone...

Apologies for the late review but I have been mulling over my experience all week and needed some extra time to digest everything. After last year’s disappointingly corporate Green Living Show in Vancouver, I had higher hopes for EPIC...

I just finished watching Flow and would recommend it to anyone who gets up in the morning, stumbles out of bed and in the first hour uses water: flushes a toilet, makes breakfast, brews a cup of coffee. Try getting up tomorrow morning and not using any water...

Something about the spring makes us want to clear all that old, stagnant stuff right the heck out of our lives… but wait...

Weddings have traditionally been all-out affairs – for good reason, but also with no shortage of help from the all-encompassing “wedding industry” which can include everything from the obvious (dress) to the more obscure (releasing butterflies)...

Earth Hour 2009 takes place tonight, March 28th, at 8:30 p.m. whatever your local time zone. According to Wikipedia, over 2100 cities in 82 countries around the world are committed to the event, a substantial increase from last year’s 35 participating countries. So what exactly is Earth Hour...

myfrog.ca, the newest, most innovative children’s gaming and learning site on the web needs your help...

After a bout with bronchitis and antibiotics that I could swear were meant for horses, we are back after a lengthy silence. Not one to take medication, I probably waited too long. Nevertheless, I am back on track and look forward to a nice glass of wine once the anitbiotics are done with...

There are a multitude of reasons for you and your family to start eating organic foods. Organic farming and food is better for health, can prevent the onset of future disease and illness and reduces exposure to toxic elements in our environment. But… that’s not all...

We have known for many years that paint needs proper disposal, which might be why 38% of us with paint to get rid of still have it kicking around. Many of us think we might be doing touch ups later or maybe just don’t know what to do with it. I have to admit I [..

We spent $4.2 billion dollars on computers in 2006 and 64% of us now carry cell phones. I kept my last cell phone until is stopped working and my computer tech says my computer isn’t doing too bad for its age. But we have 3 or 4 computers and everyone except my youngest daughter has [..

Gil Yaron, the “ecopreneur” behind earth-friendly online office supply shop Frogfile, shares some information about how businesses can make greener choices when it comes to paper, the ubiquitous office resource...

Christmas has come and gone and just about now, those batteries from all the new toys, phones, and music players have died and been recharged or disposed of and replaced. In 2004, Canadians purchased around 450 million batteries and disposed of about 348 million batteries. That number is growing...

97% of Canadians recycle where roadside pick up is available. That’s excellent! But roadside recycling is only part of the solution. What about recyclables that do not get picked up roadside...

What to consider When your baby is newborn and is on one continuous cycle of eat, sleep, wake, diaper change, eat, sleep…..you don’t have to worry too much about changing up your daytime diapering routine. The nights aren’t that much different...

Global warming has emerged as the most important issue of our generation and the topic of “the environment” is hot these days- no pun intended. The question is: how do we best run our businesses in this context...

Heavy metals occur naturally in the environment. They are a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean I want lead or arsenic in my toothpaste. Heavy metals are prohibited as ingredients in cosmetics in Canada but still make their way into the products we put on and in our bodies...

According to Statistics Canada, 45% of us are environmentally active. What does that mean? A report released in December measured participation rates for six environmental actions and then categorized us accordingly...

There are so many ways businesses can lead the way in looking after our world. Here is a continuation of how yoga studios can contribute, although the ideas can be carried across to other industries as well. Again, thanks to Mojgan from Newport Yoga Studios for her help in writing this...

This is the time of year when many of us review what we have accomplished and set goals for the new year. For Christmas I received a Business Calendar from Polestar, located in Slocan Valley, British Columbia...

In my previous holiday-gift-related post, I promised to give some more attention-worthy local designers/independents some justice...

And the winners are K Barber from Manitoba and Jessica from British Columbia! Congratulations! Both winners should be in good shape this year for Santa as according to a CBC article - Santa letters tout reusable lunch bags - Santa is responding to kids’ letters this year with green messages...

Looking for a yoga studio that honours the environment? This is part one of a two part article on how to create a green yoga practice, that was inspired by and written with Mojgan from Newport Yoga in Port Moody, B.C. Energy Source/Lighting Natural light is the best source, of course...

My kids like to hang out online playing games. My youngest even bought herself a Webkinz since mom and dad refused. There are more sites than I can count but there is a new kid on the block that has caught my attention. If you are looking for kid friendly sites that are environmentally sound [...]

Aside from the cost of disposable diapers, and the environmental issues, disposable diapers are also known to contain traces of dioxin, a known carcinogen, and sodium polyacrylate, a chemical that was banned from tampons due to its association with toxic shock syndrome and that can cause skin...

I’ll be totally honest. I used to really love Christmas when I was younger; the decorations, the food, certain toys that only came out of storage during the holidays…these things sealed the deal for me. And the hot pink sled I got one year - that was badass. Thanks Mom and Dad! Then came that [