With a new wave of sustainability, it’s hard not to notice how our everyday habits contribute to the 31 million tonnes of garbage Canada produces in a year.   In our beauty cabinets alone, we’re encouraged to refresh our cosmetics every three months to two years and our applicators every two to three months. Not to mention, even when our hearts our in the right place, sometimes we dispose of our old shampoo and face wash bottles wrong.Often tossed into blue bins without a quick rinse, plastic containers that aren’t cleaned out before they’re recycled can actually cause larger problems, including a leak that contaminates otherwise recyclable things.  

But a new age of sustainability doesn’t only raise awareness, it brings us options as well — including stores like Toronto-based eco+amour.

  eco+amour is fairly new on the scene. The boutique first opened in Scarborough in September 2018 and have been providing earth-conscious shoppers with low-waste beauty and home refills ever since. From Crush and Brush Toothpaste Tabs that come in biodegradable cardboard tubes and reusable cotton swabs, to soil-aiding tea bags and reusable beeswax wraps, everything carried in eco+amour share the core value of creating less waste.   The products that do come in packaging are sold with the intention of being reused or recycled. Take for example, Lines of Elan, whose co-founder, Sarah Marcus, is also one of the founders of eco+amour. While shoppers can purchase pre-filled bottles of shampoo, body wash, and more, they’re encouraged to bring in the same bottles to be refilled. Alternatively, shoppers can bring in their own bottles, or rent refillable containers from the store. And for items that can’t be recycled in the city program (which isn’t very much), they can be returned in-store in eco+amour’s TerraCycle box.   Visit eco+amour at 30 Bertrand Ave. Unit C9 in Scarborough. The store is open Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or shop them 24/7 at ecoandamour.com.