Celebrate Earth Month with Downtown Victoria

This April, the DVBA wants to help with your journey towards a more sustainable life. There are so many downtown businesses that can help. Below are suggestions for ways to start living more sustainably, along with downtown businesses who can help!

  1. Give Gifts that Last

  2. Buy Used

  3. Use Reusable Containers

  4. Consider How You Travel

  5. Rent Instead of Buy

  6. Shop Hyper Local

  7. Eat Sustainably

  8. Drive Less

  9. Update your Beauty Routine

  1. Give Gifts that Last

Next time you are purchasing a gift, you might consider its environmental impact. Instead of buying something that will be used once and thrown away, give something that keeps on giving for years.

Here are suggestions for lasting gifts:
  • Houseplants: Live plants make great gifts! Plus, there are so many options you can find the perfect one for the recipient.
  • Dried flowers: As opposed to a regular bouquet that dies after a week or two, a dried bouquet lasts years
Where to buy gifts that last:

2. Buy Used

Buying used is one of the best ways to be kind to the planet. From clothes, to books, to household items, you can purchase a lot of great, high quality goods second hand.

Where to buy used items downtown:
Clothes, household, books, etc.
Clothes
Household
Books

3. Use Reusable Containers

Reusable containers, coffee mugs, bags, etc. are better than single-use options. There are two programs available at some downtown cafes/restaurants making getting takeout easier on the planet: Bread & Butter Collective and the Nulla Project – make sure to check them out!

These downtown cafes use the Nulla Project:
These downtown restaurants are part of the Bread & Butter Collective:
These downtown shops sell great reusable products to help you reduce your household waste:

4. Consider How You Travel

There are many ways—big and small—to reduce your impact on the environment. One big way is to consider how you travel. Did you know Harbour Air is the world’s first and only carbon neutral airline? And they are continuing to work towards reducing their emissions.

5. Rent Instead of Buy

Where possible, consider renting over buying. It’s better for the planet and typically easier on your wallet, too.

6. Shop Hyper Local

Whether it’s food, household items, gifts, or clothes, the more local, the better for the environment. If the items don’t need to travel across the world to get to us, they are a better alternative for the planet.

Buy local from these great downtown shops:
Groceries
Household/gifts
Clothes

7. Eat Sustainably

Much of the food we eat travels great distances to reach us. Next time you are going out to eat, consider a restaurant that prioritizes local ingredients.

Here are some downtown restaurants focused on their environmental footprint:

8. Drive Less

Driving takes its toll on the earth and with gas prices so high lately, why not choose to walk or bike downtown?

Downtown hosts some fantastic bike stores or spots to rent bikes:

9. Update your Beauty Routine

The beauty products you use and your other beauty routines also make an impact. Consider using eco-conscious makeup, skincare, and haircare, and heading to a sustainably focused salon next time you need your hair done.

Downtown spots for clean makeup, skincare, and haircare:
Downtown salons focused on sustainability: