A list of great resources, shops, services, businesses, communities, and other things that can help make living green a little easier and more fun for families living in and around Vancouver, B.C.

Often, the services or small business ship, so if you see something you really love ask. And, as always, send us your suggestions.

Green shops & miscellaneous

The Soap Dispensary is a refill store. You can bring your empty containers and get everything from biodegradable dish soap to vinegar to unscented natural bubble bath. They strive to be accountable for their stores plastic foot print and packaging waste and want to make it easy for Vancouverites to do the same! 3623 Main Street, Vancouver BC, V5V 3N6. 604.568.3141

Homesteaders Emporium is my own personal heaven. I could, and have, spent the better part of the day learning, dreaming scheming, and planning my next D.I.Y project in their adorable Hastings Street shop. Homesteader’s promotes self-sufficient and sustainable living on an individual level. With the help of their friendly and knowledgeable staff, ongoing work shop series and amazing stock of supplies you will feel confident and excited to try out a variety new activities from cheese making to beekeeping.   649 E Hastings Street, Vancouver BC, V6A 1R2. 604-568-7675

Olla Flowers is commited to both the community and the environment. Every stem used in their flower designs is sourced from an urban garden, a local greenhouse, or else from a Fair Trade/Veriflora certified farm. Beyond the bouquet they focus on beautifying and enriching the neighbourhood they call home. 235 Cambie Street, Mezzanine,Vancouver BC, V6B 5A4. 604-609-OLLA (6552) 

Community Thrift and Vintage is a social enterprise employing women with barriers at it’s two Downtown East Side boutiques. In the spirit of reduce, reuse and recycle, this thrift shop offers gentley-used  and fashion-forward clothing at great prices. They even stock a small selection of vintage clothes for kiddos and babes. 41 W Cordova Street, Vancouver BC, V6B 1C8. 604-682-1004.

The Window is a one stop shop for all your gifting needs. The products featured are made by local artisans, many of whom live and work in the neighbourhood surrounding the shop. Buying from the Window means you are directly supporting artists from Vancouver. Great for our community of makers and for the environment! 1 E Hastings Street, Vancouver BC, 604-629-8396. 

The Vancouver Tool Library isn’t really a shop at all. Asking why buy when you can borrow? this East Van based resource focuses heavily on the “reduce” aspect of the three R’s. There is no need for every DIY’er and casual home improver to own their own cordless drill or electric hand saw. The Tool Library lets you rent out equiptment to complete your project and has workshops and staffing to build knowledge and community. 3448 Commercial St, Vancouver, BC V5N 4E9
(604) 568-8071

Green baby stores

Dilly Dally Kids is everyones favourite toy store. The perfect place to find wooden bok choy for your play kitchen and Iranian alphabet blocks. Dilly Dally stocks the best and most unique collection of books, activities and toys in the city. Sourced from local artisans and heritage brands the world over, this shop features a well curated collection of beautiful and durable green toys for your little to enjoy. 1161 Commercial Drive, Vancouver BC, V5L 3X3. 604-252-9727

Crocodile Baby has a great collection of organic and sustainable baby gear. From organic bamboo swaddles to plastic free change mats to locally produced sleepers, this shop has every mama’s luxe and eco-sensible registry item covered. 2156 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V6K 1N6. 604-742-2762. (with more locations around the lower mainland aswell)

Hip Baby is a cute Kitsalano shop selling goods for kids from birth to tween. They feature and amazing wall of cloth diapers to suit any style and an impressive selection of must-haves like carriers and flame-retardant free bedding. 2110 W 4th Avenue, Vancouver BC. V6K 1N6. 604-736-8020.

Little Earth is a mama-run consignment shop in the family friendly Commercial Drive neighbourhood. Helping you consciously buy and sell baby gear and acting as a gathering place for green mama’s and their kiddos. 1020 Commercial Drive, Vancouver BC, V5L 3W9. 778-737-7004

You can EAT green in Vancouver

Aphrodities Organic Cafe & Pie Shop is truly committed to a totally sustainable, organic and local experience. With an ever evolving fresh sheet, Aphrodite’s takes seasonality and local availability seriously. The result is seriously delicious. The prices are on the higher end of the family restaurant spectrum. Best saved for a middle-school graduation lunch or birthday dinner. 3598 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V6R 1N8. 604-733-8308.

Banditas Taqueria is committed to environmental sustainability. They use recycled furniture in the dining room and stainless steel table wear to cut down on broken equipment. They source local and organic food and have a 100% vegetarian menu. All of this leads to a relaxed and family friendly atmosphere and seriously great burritos. 2781 Commercial Drive , Vancouver BC.  604.568.8224.

East End Food Co-op is Vancouver’s only co-operative grocery store in the traditional sense. You do not need a membership to buy from this local mainstay. But with memberships for only 20$ why not buy in and get the perks and piece of mind?? It feels great to have agency over your food system and know you are supporting a fully unionized local business. 1034 Commercial Dr, Vancouver BC, V5L 3W9. (604) 254-5044. 

Eternal Abundance is an all organic grocery and vegan cafe. A great place to get heirloom tomato starters or a a cruelty-free snack. With plants abound and tables that can be re-arranged it is like a tree-fort play room for kids and parents alike! 1025 Commercial Drive, Vancouver BC, V5L 3X1. (604) 707 0088

Gorilla Food is the place to visit for organic, raw, vegan food in Vancouver. Serving up raw favourites like pizza, burgers and smoothies! Kids love the taste and parents love the health benefits. 2 locations:  101-436 Richards Street, Vancouver BC. 604-684-3663. 477 Powell Street, Vancouver BC. 604-428-3663.

Harvest‘s story is a choose-your-own-adventure. The Strathcona/Chinatown community was asked to vote for what they would like to see added to Union Street and Harvest is the result.  Part grocery, part restaurant, Harvest is a great place to pick up a few local, fresh, organic ingredients or skip meal prep all together and grab a famed noodle soup to go.  243 Union Street, Vancouver BC, V6A 2B2. 604-682-8851.

Spud brings local organic produce and groceries to your door step! A godsend for busy mama’s who would rather spend their free time playing at the park instead of lined up at Whole Foods. Or for those of us who have forgone fossil fuel burning cars but still need to haul food home for 5 hungry family members. Easy online ordering makes this service a breeze. see website for delivery maps.

Vancouver Farmers Markets are delicious and fun. You can meet your farmer and learn about what is exciting and fresh. Get connected with other likeminded families. Speckled across the city at different places and times, there is sure to be a Vancouver Farmers Market that suits your schedule. see website for locations and times.

Green experiences and activities

Breweries.  Local and fun. Vancouver’s beer revolution is in full swing. Visit one of our favourites or hop on your bicycle and tour them all! 33 acres, bomber, brassneck, parallel 49 and postmark… the list goes on! don’t forget your reusable growler for extra eco points.

Bikes. Vancouver loves to cycle. With separated bike lanes, paths and routes it isn’t a wonder that this environmentally sustainable method of transport is the fastest growing in our city.  To get even more mileage out of this green revolution why build your own bike out of recycled components? head over to one of Vancouvers D.I.Y. self-serve bike shops such as our community bikes, the kickstand or the bike kitchen to get started today!

Are we missing something you love?  Perhaps we’ve left something out or haven’t had the chance to try something great and green in our hometown yet.  Please contact us so we can keep this resource growing.