How to shop sustainably in Calgary
Emma Voelpel, Features Editor |
As environmental consciousness grows among Canadians, Calgary is growing a sustainable shopping scene that is thriving with a mix of zero-waste refilleries, vintage boutiques and shops that strive to use recyclable or compostable materials.
These markets aren’t appearing out of nowhere—the environmental context behind the need for them is what makes them more important than ever.
The environmental case
One of the biggest polluters in today’s day and age is single-use plastic. With material being a major part of packaging, it continues to create a high volume of carbon emissions. In 2019, the plastic industry released enough emissions that were equal to 189 coal power plants. Plastic itself is also rarely recycled and ends up in landfills, contributing to the growing environmental challenge that continues to persist.
A close accomplice to the plastic industry is fast fashion. An estimated 1.2 billion tons of carbon emissions are released by the fashion industry each year. The materials that make up the majority of clothing manufactured today are primarily nylon, spandex, or polyester— fabrics that would take from 20 to 200 years to decompose in a landfill. Beyond that, according to Earth.org, consumers are purchasing and donating clothes at a rapid rate, with a large portion of those donations skipping the shelves and going straight to the dump.
These emissions are consistently affecting the environment, and their effects are causing an immense amount of eco-anxiety among Canadians. According to a survey conducted by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, about 75 per cent of Canadians who were surveyed confirmed to be experiencing some form of climate-related distress.
Taking meaningful action can be as little as incorporating sustainable choices into everyday life. Reducing single-use plastics, prioritising recycling, and composting are small things that have a huge impact.
Refill and zero-waste markets
According to Plastic-Free YYC, one of the biggest trends that’s been on the rise throughout Calgary is refilleries— stores where customers bring their own containers and buy only what they need, eliminating the need for single-use packaging.
The Apothecary in Inglewood is considered one of Calgary’s first refilleries. Opening in 2017, the store offers pure essential oils, bulk herbs and refillable household products. Customers can bring their own container and refill everything they need from dish soap to shampoo, paying by weight.
Canary Goods, located in Kensington, is another favourite among sustainable shoppers. While also offering refilling services for customers to bring in their own containers, the store carries a wide variety of biodegradable items, from personal hygiene products to household cleaning products.
Without Co. is the most recent addition to the sustainable shopping trend. Located right on Calgary’s 17th Ave, the store carries solely Canadian products that are either biodegradable or made with recyclable materials, all tested by the store itself.
The company has stated on its website that its goal is to provide quality products while continuing to generate less waste.
Other places that offer refillable services include Community Natural Foods. This local grocer was the first to get rid of plastic bags and strives to source its produce from local farmers to reduce harmful agricultural practices.
Shopping second-hand
Calgary’s thrift scene has also grown significantly. From curated vintage shops to high-end consignment stores, shoppers are increasingly choosing pre-loved fashion over fast fashion.
Humane Thrift, also located in Kensington, opened in 2025 in response to the amount of waste that mainstream thrift stores produce.
Minal Shah, the store’s owner, told the Calgary Journal last year that any clothing they’re unable to sell will go to those who are in need in places such as hospitals or shelters. As for the store itself, item prices remain at $20 or less to compete with the low prices of fast fashion brands.
Urban Thrift is a consignment store located in Calgary’s northeast. Its mission is to resell quality items at a fraction of their original price, making quality-made items more accessible while encouraging sustainable consumption by keeping fast-fashion items off their shelves.
The Peacock Consignment and Boutique has several stores throughout the city. They provide practical strategies to keep as many clothing items out of landfills as possible, from second-hand finds to supporting local artists from Calgary or the surrounding area.
The bigger picture
Sustainable shopping in Calgary is becoming a bigger movement. Whether it’s refilling shampoo, buying handmade zero-waste essentials from local vendors, or buying used products rather than new ones, Calgarians have more options than ever to align their shopping habits with their environmental values.
The common thread across all these stores is a shift in mindset— moving away from disposable convenience towards durability, reusability, and mindful consumption. As more Calgarians embrace this approach, the city’s sustainability scene is likely to continue to grow.
Plastic waste continues to create more than 850 metric tonnes of greenhouse gases. Photo
courtesy of Ron Lach / Pexels
