The Best Green Retailers in Toronto

Toronto is flush with options for dressing fashionably while being environmentally conscious, and these shops scored big in this year's list of the best green retailers. But, much like the best green services, the variety of products on offer shows that making our lives green is easier than ever.

Green is in for fashion from head to toe, as is eliminating chemicals from nearly all of our home products. And the next time I build a bookcase, I'll head to Urban Tree Salvage, where Toronto's felled trees are turned into lumber.

Any remaining images of eco-fashion involving burlap bags or green living being something only for hyper-environmentalists are shattered by our top eight retailers.

Admittedly, this list makes me wonder, what is a green retailer? Most of the shops offer eco-friendly products, but not all. Yoga studio 889 Yonge offers no specifically-green product, but their use of green business practices and construction earned them a spot amongst the city's best.

I also find the total absence of green food retailers interesting. The Healthy Butcher was voted Toronto's best butcher, but didn't rate well enough to crack the winner's list in this category. Similarly, none of Toronto's organic grocers made the list.

Regardless, this year's winners are top-notch shops. Coming in at number one, Grassroots earned its support with their extensive product line, including cleaning products, baby products, kitchenware, stationary and a variety of home products. Having two locations and an excellent website helps too.

Organic Lifestyle won similar support with their full range of products for the whole family, as well as the whole house. They also feature a registry service, which is a natural step for shops like theirs.

I am impressed with this year's winners, who all offer high quality products and services. Which of your favourite shops made the list? Check out the top eight, as voted by blogTO readers.

Photos of Urban Tree Salvage (top and list) by blogTO flickr pooler gizzle. All other photos from retailer.

Grassroots

Take care of all of your environmentally-friendly home, bath or beauty product needs at either the Annex or Danforth locations of this popular retailer. More...

Heart on Your Sleeve

Visit this popular Kensington Market boutique for all of your eco-friendly fashion needs and desires. Heart on Your Sleeve proves that pairing fashion with green living is no faux pas. More...

Urban Tree Salvage

Satisfy your next lumber needs with Urban Tree Salvage. Their wood comes from Toronto trees that had to come down, so your choice saves a tree (or more) in the regular lumber stream. More...

Left Feet

Drape yourself head to toe in eco-friendly clothing in Kensington Market. Taking care of the toe end, Left Feet satisfies all of your footwear needs with their full selection of better-for-the-planet shoes and accessories. More...

889 Yonge

Christine and Emily, sisters, are passionate about yoga and holistic living, and created a peaceful place for others to come and share in those experiences and positive energy. More...

Organic Lifestyle

Offering a large selection of organic and natural products for your home, wardrobe, and life, Organic Lifestyle makes it easy to reduce the chemicals in your everyday life. More...

Fertile Ground

Located near Yonge and Bloor, and offering a very large selection of "green" books, Fertile Ground is well positioned to be this year's leading eco-minded bookstore. More...

Green is Black

Joining the eco-friendly fashion crowd, be sure to visit Green is Black for the latest in green fashion, with selections from local and international designers alike. More...