It wasn’t too long ago that “green” was something associated almost exclusively with thumbs. Now the eco revolution has taken hold of everything from clothing to home wares. Philadelphia has embraced the earth-friendly trend with remarkable zeal (we were the first city to pass a mandatory recycling law!) from the ground up. In addition to initiatives like the buzzed-about Green Plan, a planning project endeavoring to provide a long-term, sustainable roadmap for using, acquiring, developing, funding, and managing the city’s open space, countless eco-chic boutiques, eateries and salons have popped up in every neighborhood.
Sleep Green:
Old City bedroom boutique Okooko was voted New Zealand’s most sustainable business of the year in 2007 for its all-natural designs created from sustainably harvested wood that never skimp on modern style. The beds don’t come cheap but it’s a small price to pay to do right by the environment.
Green Beer:
Brainstorm eco-friendly ideas with like-minded people while sipping on anything from Yards Brewing Company, which uses sustainable practices whenever possible and actively looks for ways to reduce waste.
Green Card:
Fabulous Stationery, the newly opened specialty shop in Center City, has plans to add recycled stock and envelopes bearing designer Trish DeMassey’s classic, poppy aesthetic to their inventory come May.
Green Clean:
Eco-Friendly Maids, an independently owned house-cleaning service based in Philadelphia, uses earth friendly and hypoallergenic supplies to protect the ozone layer and your well-being.
Green Body:
Green beauty treatments have become big business in the beauty industry. Three to try: JuJu Salon uses strictly organic, plant-based products for its spa and salon services, Pure Bliss now features an hour-long green facial and newly opened Thread Beauty Bar uses eco-friendly polishes. Eviama Life Spa goes one step beyond: the space was designed using sustainable, renewable, recycled and salvaged materials
Green Garb:
Hit No Libs’s Arcadia Boutique, a new-ish retail spot that’s constructed from green materials, to score organic items like Panda Snack tees made entirely from bamboo or cool jewelry boxes made of recyclables. Across town in University City, head to Black Cat Gift Shop at White Dog Cafe for one of its recycled “trash bags,” clutches made from recycled plastic chip bags and snack wrappers by an all-female cooperative in Honduras. Center City’s South Moon Under has similar offerings, like their “Reduce Recycle Renew Tote” by Beau & Soleil, the product of bamboo, vegetable-dyed organic cottons and recycled leathers.
Green Eats:
The average bite of food travels 1,300 miles before it finally makes it to the table. That’s a pretty long trip, not to mention the environmental impact of packaging and shipping. Help the earth by shopping local at places like the Reading Terminal Market or support restaurants that use organic and local products like James, Mugshots Coffeehouse, and Farmicia. Ansill is getting in on the Earth Day festivities with a special $55 four-course menu featuring free-range chicken and quail and grass-fed lamb, April 22 – 25.
Live Green:
Eco-maniacs can commit to the cause with an entirely green home courtesy of Onion Flats, a Philadelphia design firm that’s been instrumental in making earth-friendly inroads with City Hall’s permits department. Innovations include green roofs, geothermal heat exchange and terra walls, not to mention an electric car that you can charge up from a sidewalk electrical socket. Not quite ready to make the jump? Head to the Environmental Home Store, filled with eco-friendly finds like bamboo flooring, EcoX recycled countertops and Yolo home paints.
