Earth Day, every day: How shopping local supports sustainability and entrepreneurs in Canada 

Every day is a great day to make eco-conscious choices. For young entrepreneurs, it’s an opportunity to grow their businesses sustainably, contributing to a healthier planet while also helping their communities. At Futurpreneur, we’re excited to highlight a few of the many young entrepreneurs who are helping shape a sustainable future through their innovative products. By supporting local businesses, we’re not just investing in entrepreneurs’ dreams—we’re also making a positive impact on the environment. 

Sustainable shopping trends 
 
According to recent data from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, half of Canadian consumers say they’re buying more sustainable products than five years ago. Eight in 10 Canadians value a sustainable lifestyle, and 65% feel they have a moral obligation to use environmentally friendly products. As we face the realities of climate change, 6 in 10 Canadians report that it’s their top concern. 

Supporting sustainable products is not just good for the planet—it’s good business. The Canadian sustainable market is valued at approximately $25 billion, according to Statistics Canada. This shows that sustainability is more than a trend—it’s a significant industry with immense potential for growth. 

Here are a few Futurpreneur-supported businesses from the Futurpreneur Marketplace offering local, sustainable options for eco-conscious shoppers: 

Gleam & Glow 
Product: Skin cream 
Futurpreneur: Camilia Destteffano 
Website: gleamandglow.ca 

Gleam & Glow is a skincare brand focused on natural, plant-based ingredients that are organic, cruelty-free, and packaged in recyclable materials. This brand is not just about skincare—it’s about a holistic approach to wellness, encouraging healthy thoughts and emotions along with healthy skin. 

Pinky Swear & Co. 
Product: Scented candles 
Futurpreneur: Alexander Farrow 
Website: pinkyswearandco.com 

Pinky Swear & Co. creates clean-burning, long-lasting candles from sustainably sourced coconut soy wax. Their products are phthalate- and paraben-free, and they collaborate with Canadian markets and charities to give back to their communities. 

Cooks Who Feed 
Product: Chef-designed aprons  
Futurpreneur: Seema Sanghavi 
Website: cookswhofeed.com 

Cooks Who Feed is on a mission to fight food insecurity with fair trade, organic aprons. Made by marginalized women in India, every purchase helps provide meals to those in need. This business is all about creating a sustainable impact through small actions. 

Origine en Vrac 
Service: Sustainable grocery store 
Futurpreneur: Jean-Philippe Miville-Deschênes 
Website: origine-vrac.ca 

Origine en Vrac is a zero-waste grocery store in Quebec, focusing on reducing single-use packaging. Customers bring their own containers to fill with organic, fair trade, vegan, and eco-friendly products, making it easy to shop sustainably. 

At Futurpreneur, we are proud to support young entrepreneurs who are committed to making the world a better place through sustainable business practices. We’re here to help them turn their eco-conscious ideas into thriving businesses. 

Interested in learning more? 
Find out how Futurpreneur’s loan with mentorship can help you start and grow your sustainable business by visiting Futurpreneur’s startup resources. 

Are you a Futurpreneur-supported entrepreneur? 
Would you like to feature your products or services in the Futurpreneur Marketplace? You can fill out a short application here. 

Looking to shop sustainably? 
Check out the Futurpreneur Marketplace to discover more eco-friendly products and services from Canadian entrepreneurs.