Celebrate Earth Day the Local Way
Photo by Botanical Cafe
Buying local from independent businesses can make a positive environmental impact alongside the economic and social benefits.
You can almost wrap it up in one word – transportation. The less your products have to travel, the better for our environment. That’s just one of many benefits of shopping locally. Check out our list below for more.
Local shopkeepers seek out and support other local businesses. This means the transportation required to get products to market uses much less fuel.
Local businesses tend to need and use less space than big box stores and large corporate retailers. This means they’re often located within walking and/or biking distance, eliminating or greatly reducing the need for motorized transportation.
Less transportation of anything means less spoilage/breakage.
Smaller businesses often offer better quality items that have a longer life, which means less waste in our landfills!
Oh, and I bet they remember to turn the lights and computers off when they close up in the evening!
We deeply admire the commitment of our small businesses towards creating a healthier planet. Show your support - here are some ways to shop small AND green in Lakeview & Roscoe Village:
Grab a new plant from Botanical Cafe, Ki House, or Primrose Chicago! Not only do house plants brighten your space and boost mood, but many of them also act as a natural filter to reduce indoor air pollutants.
Know where your products come from. Shop fair trade and eco-friendly products at The Guild or purchase a Rap Wax natural soy candle hand poured in Chicago at Moondance Chicago.
Refuse, reduce, recycle and REUSE! Shop second-hand, upcycled, and vintage at Recycled Modern, Brown Elephant, Antique Resources, The Lazy Dog Antique Store, Urban Artifacts & Out of the Closet!
Bring your furry friend to Green Paws Chicago! Their environmentally-conscious mission supports the health of your pet AND the planet by eliminating paper waste and opting for compostable doggie bags.
Stay clean and green by stopping into Sugar Pop Salon for an eco-friendly sugaring session! They waste less because they don't use sticks or strips. Basically, it's a pair of gloves and the paste, and that's it.
Ding ding! That’s the sound of you swapping out a car or Uber trip for a more sustainable transportation method: biking! Biking offers health benefits and quick transportation and has a much lower impact on the environment - the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy found that a 20% increase in biking worldwide could cut urban travel-induced CO2 emissions by nearly 11% by 2050! Local bike shops like Heritage Bikes, On the Route Bicycles, and Roscoe Village Bikes will help you make the transition to two wheels in no time.