It’s that time of the year again and finding the “perfect” gift for everyone on your list never gets easier! To help you out, we have put together a special guide with gift ideas from Certified B Corporations that are located right here in Western Canada.
The B Corporation community is made up of people using business as a force for good. It’s a community that is coming together to redefine success in business and to create a more equitable economy. When you shop with B Corps, you are spreading good cheer beyond the holidays by supporting more equitable and sustainable businesses.
We hope this list helps you with your holiday gift shopping quest while also providing you with the opportunity to make a positive social impact through your holiday purchases when supporting one of these B Corps or other sustainable businesses in your community.
B Corp Gift Guide:
1) For the Coffee Aficionado
Salt Spring Coffee from the West Coast of BC is a Certified B Corp since 2010 and named Best for the World for three consecutive years. They have a selection of eight premium organic, fair to farmer coffees, and a seasonal rotation of limited edition coffees from different regions. Every time you buy a bag of Salt Spring Coffee, they put part of that purchase price into sustainable and inclusive projects that directly support coffee farmers and the communities where their beans are grown around the world.
2) For the Tea Drinker
Earth Tea by Edmonton-based company, The Earth Group, is one of the only Canadian grown teas on the market. Grown in Central Alberta, Earth Tea is picked by hand on a site where vehicles are not allowed, in an environment completely isolated from industry and any large populations. Earth Tea is washed by hand, dried, and packaged on-site. For each box of Earth Tea sold, the value of 5 school meals (USD$1.25) will be donated to the World Food Programme, up to a minimum of USD $200,000.
3) For the Travelling Fashionista
Unbelt is a belt unlike any other. They have redefined this staple fashion accessory by using sustainable materials, creating a sleek and comfortable design, making it machine washable and best of all, their recycled metal hardware doesn’t beep while going through airport security! From community partnerships to their living-wage supply chain, social justice is at the heart of who they are.
4) For the Foodie
What better way to treat a foodie than with a pint of freshly handcrafted gelato by Calgary based Righteous Gelato? All of their offerings have the best quality ingredients they can get their hands on, fruit from places who care, berries from their neighbors in BC, milk from their own backyard, sugar from a cane, and nothing GMO. Righteous Pints are made from 100% post-consumer recycled PET plastic and as a company, they divert 95% waste from the landfill and have been zero waste since 2016. Plus, through the Mealshare program, $1 from every feature gelato goes towards providing a real meal to someone in need.
5) For the Trendsetter
Know someone who likes innovative gifts? Check out The Alinker which is a non-motorized walking-bike without pedals. The Alinker is for everyone who wants to maintain an active life regardless of their movement abilities or disabilities. It is designed to be so cool that it overcomes the uneasiness towards disabilities that is felt by mainstream society. They have also committed to donating 1 out of every 100 Alinkers sold to landmine victims, through both veteran and amputee programs.
6) For the Outdoor Enthusiast
When you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors in Canada, it’s absolutely vital to dress warmly and comfortably. tentree has a large selection of comfort wear for both men and women that are made using a blend of sustainable fabrics. Some of the environmentally progressive fabrics that they use in their products are organic cotton, recycled polyester, cork, and even coconut. And as the brand name suggests, ten trees are planted for every item purchased!
7) For the Water Baby
Loka Swimwear has developed a line of eco-friendly swimsuits that are proudly sewn with an Italian blend of 78% ECONYL© regenerated nylon (from salvaged ghost fishing nets, carpet, and nylon cut-offs) and 22% LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ fiber. This makes their material softer and more durable, which allows the suits to retain its shape and be more resistant to chlorine and sun creams. Loka also donates 1% of all their annual sales to the Vancouver Island Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving oceans, waves, and beaches through a powerful activist network of like-minded Vancouver Island Inhabitants.
8) For the Fine Jewellery Collector
Vancouver-based Pyrrha creates beautiful locally made talisman jewelry. Believing in the necessity of sustainable solutions, they circumvent the damaging impacts of mining by casting their jewelry from 100% reclaimed precious metals. All of their printed materials use recycled and FSC certified paper products with biodegradable inks, and outgoing orders are shipped in recycled paper packaging. In an effort to support their community, they rely almost solely on in-house production, give preference to local suppliers, and purchase from fellow B Corps whenever possible. They are also on their way to becoming a zero-waste company.
9) For the Health-Conscious Loved One
Tall Grass is an award-winning Vancouver-based manufacturer of products under the Botanica brand and distributor of whole food supplements and natural beauty products. Their company philosophy is to bring natural health and wellbeing products to progressive retailers and consumers in a manner that upholds values of environmental and social responsibility.