Welcome to One Day at the store
You can do your part to protect the climate by shopping close to home and supporting local and sustainable businesses. You can also make a point of buying organically-grown foods, choosing products with reduced packaging and buying more energy-efficient products. Read on to find out more.
Shop local
Consider supporting local farmers, designers and artisans next time you are searching for that perfect gift.
- Check out Vancouver's local farmers markets and supporting restaurants that are part of the Green Table Network. More food-related information and resources can be found in our your kitchen and garden section
- For a guide to the local independent shopping scene in Vancouver, check out the Modern Urban Guide
- Stop by the Portobello West Fashion and Art Market at the Creekside Community Recreation Centre in the Olympic Village.
Reduce waste from the source
When shopping, remember to look for items with minimal packaging. Less packaging means less materials to be extracted, processed, and transported – all of which are energy-draining activities. Buy less stuff, buy higher quality durable products and don't forget your reusable shopping bags.
Buying used is another way to reduce waste. Visit second-hand stores, yard sales or sites like Craigslist for great deals, while at the same time rescuing items from the landfill.
Choose energy efficient products
Always look for the Energy Star symbol by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The international Energy Star symbol is a simple way for consumers to identify products that are among the most energy efficient on the market. Only manufacturers and retailers whose products meet these criteria can label their products with this symbol.
Get help searching for the perfect energy efficient product with e.Catalog by BC Hydro. It offers over 8,000 energy-efficient products from over 150 brands in one place, saving you and your business both time and money.
- Learn about energy-efficient products screened by BC Hydro's standards for energy efficiency
- Get the contact information to find and purchase energy-efficient products
Similarily, NRCan offers EnerGuide Appliance Directory to help you make wise purchases.
Get tips from green shopping guides
You can’t buy your way to a better world. But certainly what you buy – or don’t buy – has a great impact on the environment, and your health. One of the best ways to reduce the number of toxins and garbage in the world, to decrease energy use, to save water, minimize pollution and simplify your life, is to reduce your consumption.
To help BC Hydro's Green Guides on Shopping contain helpful shopping suggestions such as join a local exchange network, become non-toxic and consider a product's lifecycle.
Don't forget to visit on the move - in a vehicle or at home - your new home sections if you're shopping for a vehicle or house.
