Low Waste & Sustainable Giving Guide
This holiday season, choose low-waste and sustainable options that reduce landfill waste, support a circular economy, and make a positive impact. 
With the holiday season, it’s often easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying new items for gifts. However, choosing low-waste or sustainable gifts helps reduce landfill waste, supports a circular economy by keeping materials in use longer, and minimizes the environmental impact of holiday consumption.
This season, consider these low-waste, sustainable options for gift giving. We’ve compiled a list of ideas and suggestions to help get you started!
Experiences
Giving the gift of an experience is a great way to spend time with loved ones, while also reducing waste. Luckily, there are so many options available in Nova Scotia. Give the gift of an NS Experience: https://novascotia.com/blog/give-the-gift-of-a-nova-scotia-experience/
Some other family-friendly ideas include gift cards to the movies, a day pass or membership to the Discovery Centre, passes to your local recreation facility, an outing to an Escape Room, a local museum, or a theatre or concert. When in doubt, giving a gift of home-made cookies, meals or gifts is always a great option!
Donations
Donating to a cause that is special to you or the gift recipient is a great way to make a meaningful impact. Whether it's a donation to Nature Trust for the nature lover, or to the SPCA for your best friend – there are so many great causes that can be supported. Other ideas include Feed Nova Scotia, your local United Way, local hospital, or other local community organizations.
Thrift
Don’t forget thrift and second-hand! You can find unique, one-of-a-kind items at a fraction of the cost. Many thrift shops also support local organizations and charities. For a list of thrift stores in Nova Scotia, check out our Community Resources page: https://divertns.ca/community-resources.
Shop Local, Low Waste & Sustainable Products
When purchasing new products, consider shopping local and sustainable! As Canadians, we have become increasingly aware of the importance of supporting local. Not only does it strengthen our local economy, but shorter supply chains and reduced transportation distances can result in overall lower carbon footprints.
Canada is home to many great and innovative companies. Some of these companies have centered their business model around reducing waste and increasing sustainability.
Below is a list of Nova Scotian and Canadian businesses that are leading the way to a more sustainable and waste free future. Whether you are looking to support a local business or for low-waste and sustainable products, this list is for you! There are so many fantastic options out there, and while this isn’t an exhaustive list, it’s meant to inspire and help you discover new businesses focused on sustainability.
In addition to these businesses, local farmer’s markets are also great places to source local sustainable goods.
Find a farmer’s market near you: https://farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca/find-a-market-new/
Companies Offering a Wide Range of Sustainable Products
Luminate Co. (NS)- https://luminateco.ca/ Market focused on local products. They have a bulk food and zero waste section which features soy curls, organic candy, reusable coffee filters, Upfront shampoo bars and so much more!
Wholesum Refillery (NS) - https://www.wholesumrefillery.com/ A local low-waste hub in Annapolis Valley.
Teasdale Apothecary (NS) - https://www.teasdaleapothecary.com/shoppe A sustainable goods shoppe and low-waste re-fillery, located in beautiful Antigonish, Nova Scotia. In addition to the pharmacy’s over-the-counter section, our retail section carries a range of products to meet all of your personal and household needs. (Divert NS Mobius Winner!)
Oak and Willow (ON)- https://www.oakandwillow.store/ Toilet bowl pods, silicone q-tips, soap buttons, and toothpaste tablets are among the many innovative products available. Oak and Willow follow an equalized business model where profits are distributed equally among employees.
ETEE (ON)- www.shopetee.com Etee sells a wide range of products from cleaning to personal care. They have even developed their own compostable pods made from natural waxes and resins which they use as some of their packaging.
Myni (QC)- www.myni.ca Refillable household and personal care products. Instead of plastic, their bottles are made of biodegradable wheat straw. Bottles will last several years of use.
Eco Loco (QC)- www.ecoloco.ca Canadian boutique of ecological and low waste products. Some of their products include reusable Swiffer refills, biodegradable floss, and scouring pads made from recycled walnut shells.
Plantish (BC)- https://plantishfuture.com A wide range of household and personal care products. Some of their product offerings include corn starch dental floss, produce saver bags, and refillable sisal pot scrubbers.
Tanit (QC)- www.tanit.co Household and personal care products including candles housed in coconut hulls, refillable cleaning products, and toothpaste tablets.
Household and Cleaning
Beezy Eco Inc (NS)- https://beezywrap.ca/ Tablets for refillable soap and cleaners, solid dish soap, and beeswax wraps.
Hive to Home (NS)- www.hivetohomens.com Made in Nova Scotia beeswax wraps, using beeswax from the Annapolis Valley.
Down East Cleaning Products (NS)- www.downeastclean.com Made in Nova Scotia cleaning products. They have a refill program with refill stations across the Maritimes.
Naturebee (BC)- https://www.naturebeewraps.ca PVA free dishwasher tablets, beeswax wraps, and powder to gel dish soap. Try out their sample kit to discover their most popular products.
Colibri Canada (MB)- www.colibricanada.com Creates reusable household products such as snack bags, bowl covers, and reusable straws, and ‘not paper’ towels.
Personal Care and Beauty
UP SAVVYtm by Sohma Naturals (NS) – https://upsavvy.ca/ Skin care product crafted from repurposed ingredients, giving new life to materials once wasted (Divert NS 2025 Mobius Award Winner!)
Upfront Cosmetics (NB)- https://upfrontcosmetics.ca Shampoo and conditioner bars, hair masks, and powdered face wash.
Jack 59 (AB)- www.jack59.ca Shampoo and conditioner bars, leave-in conditioner, and accessories.
Everist (ON)- https://helloeverist.com Concentrates for hair and body. Aluminum and paper board packaging are used, and they have a recycling program for their plastic caps.
Elate (BC)- www.elatebeauty.com Low-waste, refillable, and vegan cosmetics.
Only (ON)- https://getonly.ca Canada’s first reusable tampon applicator as well as other menstrual products.
Amni Pads (ON)- https://amiepads.ca Handmade, reusable pads, liners, and wet bags.
New Moon Pads (BC)- https://www.newmoonpads.com 100% cotton, handmade, and reusable pads, wipes, and ‘un-sponges.’
Clothing
Sattva Boutique (NS)- https://sattvaboutique.com/ High quality, timeless clothing made from natural and recycled materials. Locally designed and ethically manufactured.
Miik (ON)- https://www.miik.ca/ Slow fashion clothing made from sustainable fabrics knit, milled, dyed, and manufactured in Canada using environmental methods.
Oraki (QC)- https://oraki.ca Clothing, designed and manufactured in Canada, made from recycled and natural fibers.
Bellantoni (BC)- www.bellantoni.ca Clothing brand committed to sustainable and ethical clothing using certified sustainable and recycled fabrics.
Food
Urban Jars (NS)- www.urbanjars.com Meal service franchise serving HRM and other communities across Canada. They use mason jars to package their layered, healthy meals. Empty jars are picked up and reused with your next order.
Square Roots (NS)- www.squarerootsfood.ca A community enterprise that connects healthy produce, that does not meet the cosmetic requirements of grocery stores, to the community.
Bruized (ON)- www.bruized.com Vegan and gluten free snacks made with upcycled ingredients.
Lifestyle and Gifts
The Ark (NS)- https://www.thearkbridgewater.org/retail One of a kind handmade crafts and art made using recycled materials. They also run the Wetsuit Recycling Program repurposing difficult to recycle wetsuits into new products.
Scotian Shores (NS)- https://www.scotianshores.com/shop Handmade products made from recovered ocean plastic and fishing rope.
Sweet Cheeks Diaper Service-(NS) www.sweet-cheeks.ca Take the fuss out of cloth diapers with this cloth diaper delivery and cleaning service serving HRM. They also offer gift certificates.
DS Plastics (NS)- https://www.facebook.com/p/DS-Plastics-100084500499622/ Recycles household and ocean plastic to create a variety of products from pen’s to pots, to garden benches. https://ds-plastics.ca/
Sewshine Studio (NS)- https://www.facebook.com/Sewshinestudio/ Handmade sewing creations using recycled fabrics. Items include bags, scrunchies, masks, pet bandanas, and more.
Noel & Co.(NS)- https://noelandco.ca/ Conscious candles with a jar return program. They also sell small batch perfumes and greeting cards. Based in Kentville.
Jack and Jill Paper (NS) - https://jillandjackpaper.com Greeting cards for any occasion made with handmade recycled paper with embedded wildflower seed that can be planted.
Toy Maker of Lunenburg (NS)- www.toymakeroflunenburg.ca Handmade, timeless, and durable wooden toys and games using locally sourced wood.
Hotpoc (QC)- www.hotpoc.ca Reusable hand warmers and heat therapy products.
Zero Waste Hero (ON)- www.zerowastehero.ca Eco friendly gift boxes for a variety of occasions.
