Green Toronto

I just got back from the Green Toronto Festival happening at Yonge/Dundas square. It's quite a big event; they've closed off Yonge street for a couple of blocks and dozens of eco-friendly artisans, groups and businesses have set up booths. The vibe is really positive and people are all really excited to take part, whether by attending and learning or by informing and/or selling their products. 

I picked up a few things, but one company in particular got me excited. Greenbean Studio (greenbeanstudio.ca) is a "sprouting business" that uses plastics bags and wrap as stuffing for pillows and pet beds. People unknowingly recycle their plastic grocery bags or bubble wrap, thinking that it's like any other plastic, but moldable plastics like these just end up in our land-fills and Greenbean Studios wants "to contain them so they do not become Urban Tumbleweed and leach into our water, air and food chain." Some of the pillows can be rather crunchy - if they're filled with bubble wrap for instance - but Christine Fulton, the owner and creator, uses these stuffings for more decorative pillows, and uses smoother fills for pillows that you'd use day-to-day. I bought the latter type, a small cushion for lower-back support and I love it. It doesn't lose its shape, and it's also cleaner than foam-stuffed pillows/mattresses because it doesn't attract dust mites. 

Greenbean Studio relies on the community to grow their business by donating plastics. They will come to your house, pick up your bags and plastic wrap, and create these wonderful products. Please visit their site to learn more - I think they're really onto something here. This is an easy and effective way to pitch in to help the environment and you can get something fabulous (beyond the mere satisfaction of doing a good deed) in the process. 

Have a green day!