8 Sustainable Companies in Canada that Put the Planet First

Going green is quite the journey. If you’re an eco-conscious individual who gets excited about sustainable products and eco-friendly brands that make a difference for our planet – you’ve come to the right place. 

Global Citizen reports that while the world currently produces 1.3 billion tons of waste annually, that number is estimated by the senior director for the World Bank's Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice, Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez, to grow to “an almost-inconceivable 4 billion tons by 2100”.

When we consider the 8 million tons of waste per year that ends up in the world’s oceans, it’s more important than ever for us to work together and help organizations working on protecting the planet. 

Incorporating sustainable practices into our everyday lives can help us work together towards a circular economy, but where should you begin? 

While there are “global 100 companies” lists that feature the world's most sustainable corporations working with large-scale operations around the world, we’ve gathered a list of the top 8 notable sustainable businesses based in Canada that you can support, who have made waves in North America for the difference they are making for the planet today. 

What Does Sustainability Mean?

To begin, what is sustainability? 

According to McGill University, the University of Alberta has published a brief on sustainability which describes it as a value shared by individuals across the globe, and a means of “meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” 

Besides thinking about what sustainability can do for us, it’s equally as important to consider what we can do in our power as citizens and consumers to be the collective driving force for change. 

One way you can contribute to the world’s sustainability development is to support organizations that are actively making use of recycled materials to better our environmental impact on the Earth. By reusing, recycling and reducing our carbon footprint on the planet, we can work together to pave the path for a greener future.

Without further ado, here are our top 8 featured Canadian brands that are working diligently to produce ethical and earth-friendly products to strengthen the circular economy.

Top 8 Environmentally Sustainable Companies in Canada

Ethically-Sourced Canadian Fashion Brands to Support

Many creative Canadian fashion brands on the rise are finding new ways to use recycled and raw materials to create earth-friendly products. Here are 4 leading eco-friendly fashion and apparel brands that are making a difference for our planet.

1. Encircled

“Fast fashion and trends are disposable, our clothing isn’t”. Encircled aims to provide classic, versatile pieces that help build a wardrobe that you’ll love for years to come.  Encircled aims to reduce the usage of synthetic fabrics, and reduce the waste associated with fast fashion by providing versatile, multi-wear designs. Their designs echo the mantra, “More options. More fun. Less clothes. Less impact.”

2. Workhall Studio

What’s a home office without comfy work clothes? Indigenous-owned and operated Workhall Studio is proud to offer sweaters, pantsuits, dresses (and more) made from plant-based or plant-blended fabrics. With a strong focus on waste reduction, this company also offers free tailoring, so clothes that don’t fit don’t get tossed.

3. tentree

tentree is a climate-neutral, certified B-Corporation that creates “Earth-First” sustainable essentials, and plants 10 trees per item purchase.  By planting trees for each purchase, tentree aims to make a big change accessible to everyone, and show that every big change starts small.

To date, tentree has planted over 50 million trees, which in return have removed millions of tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere and reforested over 5,000 hectares of lands. Tentree’s collection includes clothing, backpacks, and accessories that are comfortable and functional.

tentree has been commended by Nicole Schwab, Co-director of 1t.org and the World Economic Forum's Nature Based Solution as a shining example of how the private sector can make an monumental impact in the fight against climate change.

4. Alice + Whittles

“Doing better by the planet + people.”

Sofi Khwaja, CEO, and partner Nick, are the founders and producers of Toronto’s eco-friendly brand, Alice + Whittles. The brand’s signature natural, fair-trade rubber boots and recycled shoes are made from “reclaimed ocean plastics, recycled PET, vegan water based glue”, and rubber sourced from sustainably-managed forests. 

Read Alice + Whittles’ Ethical Policy to learn more about their mission to become 100% sustainable. 

5. Vitae Apparel

Eco-conscious, female-owned fitness apparel company, Vitae Apparel, not only believes in female empowerment, ethical manufacturing practices, but has gained recognition for their use of eco-friendly fabrics in their swimwear. 

RecoTex is a water-repellant, polyester fabric made entirely from recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) water bottles in Taiwan. In 2020, Vitae Apparel donated over 30,000 face masks from this innovative, eco-friendly material to establishments in Vancouver, Canada.

Innovative Canadian Green Brands Making a Difference Today

6. ChopValue

ChopValue is a Vancouver-based certified B-Corp, urban recycling company that’s been helping Canadians reduce carbon emissions and our carbon footprint since 2016. ChopValue’s mission is to “make a difference, one chopstick at a time”. 

ChopValue’s unique and transparent business model also illuminates the importance of carbon-negative supply chains and manufacturing processes. ChopValue leads by example by creating functional and sustainable product and design solutions from discarded, disposable chopsticks. 

To accelerate the positive environmental impact they’re making, ChopValue has expanded their circular economy business across Canada, and globally — promoting a sustainable microfactory franchise concept to recycle chopsticks, and manufacture climate-positive, carbon-negative products all over the world. The astonishing results of ChopValue’s efforts throughout the years are illustrated in detail in their impressive Urban Impact Report.

Giving recycled chopsticks a renewed life, paving the way for Canada's circular economy and helping desk job workers work more productively — ChopValue and EFFYDESK joined forces in 2021 to bring Canadians innovative, sustainable home office furniture solutions. 

7. EFFYDESK

Our signature eco-friendly standing desk, the TerraDesk, is made from over 10,000 recycled chopsticks collected from restaurants around Metro Vancouver, and in collaboration with our strategic partner, ChopValue. 

The manufacturing process saves more energy than it creates, making this desk an ideal addition to the conscious home office. It’s shipped all over Canada and US in sustainable and sturdy packaging, ensuring an Earth-friendly product all around. 

In efforts to raise awareness for Earth Month and promote ways to help offset CO2 emissions, EFFYDESK partnered with OneTreePlanted to plant 100 trees for every TerraDesk sold in April 2021. 

8. Onyx + Blue

Onyx + Blue contributes to the circular economy by keeping materials in use before they end up in the landfill. Their office supplies are made from renewable, recyclable materials like bamboo, stone, corn starch, and biodegradable fabrics. 

The manufacturing process requires less water and bleach, which means the products make less of an impact on waterways and ecosystems. Each of their eco-friendly products is packed with recycled materials, and all their labels are printed with soy-based ink (an earth-friendly alternative to regular ink).

Ready to Go Green with EFFYDESK?

EFFYDESK is Canada’s leading ergonomic office furniture company based in Vancouver, Canada. From cardboard upcycling ideas to ergonomic tips for working more productively, EFFYDESK is always looking to share new ways for desk-job workers to do good and feel good mentally and physically at the end of your work day. 

Studies have shown that poor posture can lead to decreased productivity, motivation and performance at work. Knowing that our bodies are made to move, we're here to help you combat the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Our ergonomic office furniture collection is crafted on the belief that you should feel good mentally and physically by the end of your work day. 

Designed for both personal and professional use, our premium-grade ergonomic solutions are here to help you to enjoy EFFY in your home office or at your work office, with ease. We offer a variety of ergonomic sit-stand desks, ergo office chairs and perfect-pairing office essentials to help you achieve your ideal sitting and standing positions, so you can get more done, more comfortably. 

Visit our shop collection to see all the ways you can improve your workplace ergonomics and support our mission to work towards a greener future today.