Being human means releasing planet-warming carbon emissions into the atmosphere. It happens when we take a shower, charge our phones, or let out a yawn after a long day. Just like humans release carbon pollution, so do businesses - and Totem Design House is no exception. Online shopping has transformed retail. Unfortunately, it’s also impacting the environment, and not for the better. Having an order conveniently delivered to your doorstep is a major contributor to climate change. 

After doing some research and finding that in general, online shopping has less of a carbon footprint than shopping in-person at a brick and mortar store. Where this equation changes however, is based on the shipping speed you select at checkout. 

As a business whose foundation is built on Indigenous values, we are always seeking ways to become increasingly more eco-friendly, from using recycled paper for our tags and packaging, to compostable mailers - and now making each and every shipment carbon neutral! All of these eco-options come at a cost to us, but we accept that its is our duty and responsibility to do 'all the things' to tread as lightly on this planet as we can. 

And while we are all at the mercy of increasingly high shipping rates, thanks to Canada Post rates, we didn't want to pass this additional fee onto the customers. It was more important to us to ensure that ALL order ship carbon-neutral, rather than only those choose to add the fee to their order.

How does it work? 

Now, each time someone buys an item at Totem Design House, we will automatically purchase verified emissions reductions, more commonly known as “offsets” through EcoCart on our Shopify website. These purchases support environmental projects, like wind and solar farms that create clean energy, or protecting trees that would otherwise be cut down so that they can continue to absorb carbon from the air. On top of it, EcoCart ensures that these projects are doing extra good, like protecting animals or supporting underserved communities.

If we all do our part by changing our daily habits and making sustainable swaps, supporting companies that care about their impact on the Earth, and advocate for the future we deserve, we can effect real change in the world.