From packaging to shipping materials and energy consumption, there can be a lot of waste going on behind the scenes at your favourite store. Some, like Simons, are making smart changes. At its Galeries de la Capitale store in Quebec City, Simons introduced high-efficiency LED light fixtures and a geothermal heating and cooling system, as well as solar panels. “They are a great visual cue, signalling sustainability efforts while also demonstrating that renewable technology can be beautiful,” says Angela Stinson, director of store development. Companies that are Certified B Corporations, meanwhile, meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, such as having clear, specific environmental goals. In Canada, that list includes Encircled and Kotn.
