GreenBirdi

They’re in your makeup, toilet paper, shampoo and even in your microwave popcorn. Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are designed to resist water, oil, and stains, but what they don’t resist is time. These synthetic compounds linger in our bodies and our environment for decades, raising red flags about their impact on human health, wildlife, and the planet. The scariest part? You’re probably using them every single day without realizing it.

What Are Forever Chemicals (PFAS)?

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals and have been in use since the 1950s. They persist in their current form because they contain a chain of linked carbon and fluorine atoms. This is a powerful bond, one of the strongest in chemistry.

In the 1930s, PFAS chemistry was discovered, and by the 1950s, they were in everyday use, made using electrochemical fluorination (EFC) or fluorotelomerization. There are a variety of PFAS substances, which include:

• Side-chain fluorinated polymers

• Perfluoroalkyl acids

• Polyfluoroalkyl surfactants

The risk of these chemicals became apparent in the 1990s. In the 2000s, a variety of long-chain PFAS (the most persistent) were phased out, with companies moving to replace them with nonfluorinated chemicals. This included PFOS, PFOA and their precursors. However, these substances remain in the environment and in certain household goods, many of which people tend to keep around for extended periods, extending the problem into the future.

Where Are Forever Chemicals Found in Consumer Products?

Forever chemicals are most often used in three specific areas in consumer products, and one more that is of concern for everyone. 

Household Items

Some of your most used household items may include PFAS. Primarily, PFAS are found in non-stick cookware such as Teflon and in stain-resistant carpets and furniture. Because non-stick cookware is obviously in contact with food, it's one of the ways PFAS can get into your body.

Personal Care Products

PFAS may be found in a variety of personal care products, including:

• Toilet paper

• Feminine hygiene products

• Waterproof makeup

• Waterproof sunscreens

• Shampoo

• Dental floss

Food Packaging

PFAS are often used in fast food wrappers and are also found in microwave popcorn bags, where they are often used to keep the bag from catching fire in the microwave.

Clothing and Outdoor Gear

Many rain jackets and rain pants contain PFAS. You might also find them in stain-repellent clothing and in some other outdoor gear, including tents.

Firefighting Foam

The most effective firefighting foam contains PFAS. Unfortunately, this results in exposure for firefighters. A lot of work is being done on making firefighting foam that is PFAS-free but still effective.

The Hidden Risks of PFAS Exposure

PFAS can enter the human body through ingestion, absorption, or inhalation. Ingestion is a particular concern given the use of PFAS in cookware and food wrappers. They can also enter drinking water, from which they are challenging to remove, and contaminate the watershed in general, affecting fish. PFAS exposure is generally low, and PFAS are eventually excreted from the body through urine and menstruation. Unfortunately, PFAS are also commonly excreted through breast milk, exposing infants.

Vulnerable Populations

The following populations are particularly vulnerable to PFAS:

• Women and others who can become pregnant. PFAS are linked to disruptions in reproductive hormones, causing problems when pregnant and, as already mentioned, PFAS can be excreted in breastmilk.

• Children. Very young children are more vulnerable to PFAS exposure in general due to their tendency to put everything in their mouths.

• Marginalized communities. Marginalized communities are more likely to be downstream of PFAS-producing facilities and closer to contaminated water sources. This particularly impacts Indigenous communities and low-income neighbourhoods.

Long-Term Health Risks

Although PFAS are generally eventually excreted, there are indicators that they might be connected to a variety of long-term health risks, which include:

• Cancer, particularly of the kidney or testicles. There may also be links with breast, ovarian, endometrial, prostate, thyroid cancer, as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and childhood leukemia. Risks are highest for people employed in the production of PFAS-containing products.

• Fertility issues caused by hormonal disruption. These issues primarily affect women and lower the rate of both conception and live birth.

• Immune system dysregulation and suppression. PFAS have been shown to reduce antibody response after vaccination.

• Liver and kidney damage.

Studies continue to find links between PFAS and all kinds of health problems.

Environmental Impact

PFAS in water and soil can contaminate crops, drinking water, and the water consumed by wildlife. These chemicals can accumulate in the food chain, having the worst impact on apex predators. This environmental impact primarily occurs when PFAS-containing products are spilled or disposed of.

It can also be emitted into the air, and we currently lack a reliable sampling method or an effective way to track its impact on air quality. Fish can be a significant source of exposure for both humans and animals that eat fish.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

So, how can you reduce PFAS exposure? These chemicals can be complex to avoid, but here are some practical tips:

• Avoid non-stick cookware. Choose ceramic, cast iron, or stainless steel instead. There are also some newer non-stick technologies being developed that don't use PFAS.

• Read labels on all of your cosmetics and cleaning products. Learn what these chemicals are called. For example, trifluoro propyl, triethoxysilane, and polytetrafluoroethylene are all PFAS chemicals that can be found in cosmetics. The EWG Skin Deep database is a great resource.

• Filter your drinking water using an activated carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Note that these filters are also the best way to deal with lead.

• Choose clothing, outdoor gear, and home products that use other methods to resist stains and water.

• Be careful when disposing of older household products that might contain PFAS.

Look for PFAS-free certified products. Check for certificates from the National Science Foundation (NSF) or GreenScreen. Always double-check any certification to make sure it's solid.

Avoiding PFAS is not just about protecting your health. It's about supporting the entire environment.

How GreenBirdi Protects You from Forever Chemicals

You can trust us to protect you, your family, and the environment from dangerous forever chemicals. We vet every product through our CARES Framework (Cultural sustainability, Authentic wellbeing, Regenerative ecosystems, Equitable economics, and Social responsibility), and that includes checking for the use of PFAS and other harmful chemicals. We give our products the GreenBirdi Seal of Approval, showing that they are free from chemicals and are not greenwashed.

We also prioritize women-led and Indigenous-owned suppliers, choosing partners who advocate for safe, clean, and responsible practices. Shop GreenBirdi to know and trust that you are selecting products that are safe for you and the planet.

Discussing corporate strategy in a boardroom full of seasoned professionals, I sat towards the head of the table. I was 20 years old, barely halfway through my undergraduate degree, sitting beside the CEO.

As the GreenBirdi team deliberated about our core values as a company, not once was I made to feel out of place in that room. That moment captured exactly what makes this company different: we don’t just talk about inclusivity and authenticity, we live it.

The Impact Team exemplifies these values. We’re a small, but prominent group of Mimi’s former students who bring a cross-generational perspective to the table. All recent university graduates or nearing the end of our degrees, the Impact Team acts as a compass, nudging the company toward decisions that resonate with a wider audience. Much more than a token addition to the core team, the Impact Team is woven into the tight-knit fabric of GreenBirdi’s operations.

MoreThan Just a Seat at the Table

My perspective as a resident Gen Z-er has been met with genuine curiosity and openness. From the beginning, the Impact Team's voices have been embedded into numerous aspects of Greenbirdi’s work — from product sourcing and vetting, to the language and imagery used in our marketing.

Our role is simple, but powerful: to bridge generational gaps and ensure Greenbirdi isn’t just building a brand, but a movement that feels relevant and inclusive across audiences.

Why Gen Z Input Matters

Greenbirdi is built on the idea that businesses should connect authentically with their customers. But genuine connection requires a deep understanding of culture, values, and shifting consumer expectations.

But why does Gen Z input matter?

Gen Z is a generation of conscious consumers. We read labels carefully, we do our homework on companies, and we’re quick to walk (or click) away if something feels off. We can spot greenwashing from a mile away. Most importantly, Gen Z values transparency and realness. Tokenizing young people with trendy slogans or performative activism will actively drive us away.

The Impact Team ensures cross-generational input isn’t just a check box, but actually embedded into decision-making at all levels.

Being on the Impact Team means more than showing up to strategy meetings. It’s about creativity, collaboration, and honest dialogue. It’s about bouncing ideas between generations, exploring what resonates, and sometimes acknowledging when something just doesn’t land. Across ages, everyone at GreenBirdi learns from one another.

Think of the Impact Team as professional vibe checkers, ensuring the choices Greenbirdi makes align with the values of the people we’re trying to serve.

Success Beyond Sales

At GreenBirdi, success isn’t just measured in sales. True success is measured in trust—in the genuine connections we build with our community. To earn that trust requires listening, adapting quickly, and staying real.

The Impact Team plays a crucial role in that. Beyond shaping the products we sell, we’re helping to build a community that feels connected by shared values. Our goal is to ensure Greenbirdi’s growth isn’t just sustainable for the planet, but also rooted in genuine, lasting relationships with the people who believe in what we’re building, across generations.

During my time working with GreenBirdi, I’ve never stressed about where I sit at the table. The Impact Team demonstrates that each of us have something valuable to offer, regardless of age, professional background or life experience. Helping to shape the ways in which GreenBirdi grows is the kind of impact that makes me proud to be part of the flock.

Author: Devon Oneschuk, Impact Team Member

At GreenBirdi, our mission extends beyond product sales; we’re committed to doing business in a good way and creating a better world for future generations. We focus on sourcing high-quality, ethical and sustainable products right here in Canada, while championing equality and environmental responsibility. Every product and brand we choose is carefully vetted to ensure they align with our values: minimizing environmental impact, promoting fair labour practices, and supporting local communities. By empowering Canadian businesses, especially woman-owned, Indigenous, and other marginalized groups, we aim to foster growth, create meaningful jobs, and contribute to a healthier planet you can trust. 

In this article discover how GreenBirdi’s unique sourcing and vetting frameworks work, what principles guide our partnerships, and why every purchase you make with us supports not just the environment, but also local entrepreneurs, communities and ethical business practices.

Our Guiding Principles for Sourcing (CURESG Framework)

We follow a framework of CURESG, which stands for Cultural Understanding and Reconciliation, Environmental, Social, and Governance. This goes beyond standard ESG to place cultural understanding at its core, while continuing to evaluate our products and brands based on the more standard ESG framework of:

• Environmental: how a company interacts with the natural world
• Social: how a company interacts with people
• Governance: how a company is led and structured

We make sure that we, and all our suppliers and partners, follow these guiding principles:

1. Sustainability First. Minimizing environmental footprint at all stages of production.
2. Fair & Ethical Practices. Treating workers and suppliers fairly.
3. Inclusivity & Equality. Prioritizing woman-owned, Indigenous, and other marginalized businesses.

How We Vet Our Products & Brands (CARES Model)

At GreenBirdi, we prefer a smaller, well-vetted product range over a vast marketplace that may harm the environment or our customers. The GreenBirdi CARES assessment translates our CURESG framework into an assessment model, through five interconnected pillars:

• Cultural Sustainability 
• Authentic Wellbeing 
• Regenerative Ecosystems 
• Equitable Economics 
• Social Responsivity
  

We begin by researching businesses sustainability claims and ensuring our partners are transparent about how they meet their goals. We then look for certifications and standards, such as organic, Fair Trade, and cruelty-free. If a supplier looks good, we then talk to them and directly verify their claims. Once verified, brands receive our GreenBirdi Approved Seal.  

Prioritizing Local & Small Businesses

We work with Canadian small businesses to help them access larger networks, while getting their handcrafted, small-batch products to you. We see three significant benefits to buying local.

1. Environmental Benefits

Buying locally provides significant environmental benefits by reducing the distance goods must travel, which in turn lowers greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Local products often require less packaging and handling, decreasing waste and energy use. Supporting nearby businesses also helps preserve green spaces and local ecosystems, as these producers are more likely to use sustainable practices suited to their specific environments. Additionally, buying local strengthens regional supply chains, making communities more resilient and reducing the need for resource-intensive global logistics. Overall, choosing local is a simple yet powerful way to reduce your environmental footprint.

2. Buy Canadian and Local Impact

Buying Canadian supports Canadian jobs and keeps money in the Canadian economy. Buying locally reduces dependence on volatile global supply chains, which might be impacted by everything from public health incidents to tariffs to a ship getting stuck in the wrong place. This helps us keep prices reasonable, too.

We also care about strengthening the economy of marginalized people in Canada, including the indigenous peoples of Canada. Many of our suppliers are indigenous-owned, and we provide them with an outlet for their products that they might not otherwise have found, helping close systemic equity gaps.

3. Consumer-Positive Impacts

Buying locally can have several consumer-positive impacts, enhancing both the quality and experience of shopping. Locally produced goods are often fresher, higher in quality, and more transparent in terms of sourcing and production practices, giving consumers greater confidence in what they’re purchasing. Local businesses are also more responsive to community needs, offering personalized service and unique products that reflect local tastes and values. Additionally, money spent locally tends to stay within the community, boosting the local economy and creating a positive feedback loop that benefits consumers through better services, job opportunities, and vibrant neighbourhoods. Overall, buying local fosters a stronger connection between consumers and the products they buy.

The "GreenBirdi Approved" Seal

The GreenBirdi Approved Seal is a mark of trust that helps consumers make confident, eco-conscious purchasing decisions. All brands in the GreenBirdi marketplace have been carefully vetted to meet strict environmental and ethical standards, including sustainability, responsible sourcing, and minimal environmental impact. For consumers, this means less guesswork and more assurance that the items they buy align with their values. The seal also promotes transparency, allowing shoppers to easily identify products that support a healthier planet without compromising on quality or performance. 

Balancing Sustainability & Accessibility

We believe that sustainability should be accessible to everyone, not just a luxury for a few. That’s why we carefully balance eco-friendly practices with affordability, ensuring our products are both planet-conscious and budget-friendly. We partner with local and ethical suppliers to reduce costs associated with long-distance shipping and excessive packaging, passing those savings on to you. By streamlining our supply chain and prioritizing transparency, we make it easier for you to make sustainable choices without sacrificing convenience, quality, or cost. GreenBirdi is committed to making green living a realistic and rewarding option for all.

The Ripple Effect of Conscious Choices

Every conscious choice you make creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond a single purchase. When you choose sustainable, ethical products, you’re not just supporting eco-friendly businesses; you’re encouraging a shift in the market toward more responsible practices. Your decisions influence brands, inspire others to shop mindfully, and contribute to a growing demand for transparency, fairness, and environmental stewardship. Over time, these small, individual actions add up, helping to shape a more sustainable economy and a healthier planet. At GreenBirdi, we believe that empowered consumers can drive meaningful change, one thoughtful choice at a time.

Ready to Fly with Us?

At GreenBirdi, every brand tells a story, and every purchase helps write a better future. By choosing brands that are local, ethical, and environmentally responsible, you're not just buying something sustainable, you're supporting a movement. From our CURESG framework to the GreenBirdi Approved Seal, we’re committed to transparency, integrity, and impact in everything we do. Whether you're new to conscious shopping or already a passionate advocate, we invite you to join our flock and fly with us. 

Shop GreenBirdi products and visit our nest today. Every purchase you make creates a meaningful difference for you, our suppliers, and the planet. Together, we can build a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient world, one mindful choice at a time.

When we started planning our wedding, I knew I wanted it to feel beautiful, meaningful, and… well, not wasteful. Weddings can be such a whirlwind of single-use everything, and I didn’t want to look back knowing so much of it ended up in the trash. The thing is, I also didn’t want to spend more money to make it sustainable.

As it turns out, you really don’t have to. With a little creativity, DIY-ing, and a few thoughtful swaps, we had the wedding we dreamed of without a bigger budget or a bigger footprint. Here’s exactly what we did.

DIY Magic

I wanted something simple but eye-catching above the dance floor, so I strung fake flowers together and hung them under the tent.I made my own hanging flower strands for the tent. They were lightweight, easy to string up, and looked exactly like I had pictured. It was a budget-friendly project that added a big impact, and afterward I was able to pass them along to another bride.

Skipping the Linens Altogether

We rented beautiful wood harvest tables for the reception, and honestly, they were so pretty on their own that covering them with linens felt like a shame. So we didn’t! We also noticed that a lot of people seem to be buying linens from Temu, but that they usually end up getting tossed because you can buy them brand new for very cheap. No tablecloth rentals, no extra laundry, no transport costs — just bare wood with a bunch of candles, flowers, and vases. It looked elegant, natural, and intentional.

Multi-Use Florals

All flowers we had worked double duty. Ceremony arrangements were brought into the reception space afterward, and bridesmaids’ bouquets became decor for the head and cake tables. I also kept my bridal bouquet after the wedding to dry and press the flowers. Later, I placed them in a floating frame, which now hangs in our home and is an awesome, sentimental keepsake from the day.

DIY Table Number Trifolds

Instead of printing separate menus, bar menus, and table numbers, I made my own trifold cards. One side had the table number, one side had the dinner menu, and the third side had the bar menu. It cut down on printing, kept the tables uncluttered, and gave guests all the info they needed in one place. Plus, because they were DIY, I could customize the design exactly how I wanted.

Food & Drink Choices That Made Sense

We chose a caterer that uses local, in-season ingredients, keeping our menu focused on what's freshest and most sustainable. This meant better flavour for our guests and lower transport emissions. We also skipped anything that came in individual packaging, so there was less waste to clean up at the end of the night.

Less Paper, More Purpose

Beyond the trifolds, we used digital invitations and RSVPs instead of printed ones. This choice saved us over $500 (the average cost of sending paper invites through the mail) and it made it so much easier to keep track of RSVPs in real time.

Nature as the Best Décor

When it came to the ceremony, we skipped the flowers, arches, and décor entirely. Instead, we let the spectacular view speak for itself—a choice that naturally reduced both cost and waste.

My Takeaway

Making our wedding more sustainable wasn’t about spending more – it was about being thoughtful and intentional. We didn’t sacrifice beauty or joy; if anything, those choices made the day feel even more us. If you’re planning your wedding and want to make it greener, start with just one or two swaps that feel doable. You might find, like we did, that the simplest choices end up being the most meaningful.

Author: Olivia Tognela