Zero-Waste and Thrift Shopping in Vancouver

Vancouver is committed to sustainability, so you'll find thrift stores and zero-waste shops across the city. Spend a day exploring Vancouver's diverse neighbourhoods while you shop with a conscience.

Mount Pleasant

Located just south of downtown, the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood has lots of independent businesses including lots of thrift shops and zero-waste boutiques scattered along Main Street.

Start with a stop at Gene Coffee Bar in the unique wedge-shaped building at the intersection of Main Street and Kingsway.

If you're looking for vintage 90s-style (think Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and lots of graphic tees), visit F as in Frank.

For more retro items, including lots from the 50s, pop in to Woo Vintage. Open since 2004, they also have lots of jewelry and accessories in addition to clothing.

Stock up on zero-waste goods and supplies at The Soap Dispensary. They carry kitchen staples like spices and grains in bulk along with all kinds of cleaning products. Everything is sold in refillable containers to eliminate wasteful packaging.

Or browse at Balance Botanicals. This zero-waste shop has a huge selection of teas, spices, herbs, and more.

Kitsilano

Known as "Kits" to the locals, the Kitsilano neighbourhood has beaches with great views of the mountains. Just up the hill, you'll find lots of shops lining 4th Avenue and Broadway. There are trendy boutiques, the first Lululemon store, cafes, and several vintage, thrift, and zero-waste stores.

If you're looking for zero-waste bulk goods, stop at The Source Bulk Foods on West Broadway. They stock lots of pantry items, herbs, spices, nuts, pasta, grains, snacks, cleaning products, and more. Bring your own containers or use the provided paper bags.

Rummage Community Thrift on Arbutus Street just off Broadway aims to keep clothing and home goods out of the landfill while keeping things affordable for their customers. The eclectic decor and curated selection give the shop serious cozy vibes.

While many thrift stores specialize in clothing, HOB Too Collectibles and Furniture Thrift Store sells vintage furniture, collectibles, lamps, art, carpets, and other housewares. All proceeds benefit the Vancouver Hospice Society and volunteers staff the shop.

Don't miss the coffee at Lumine. This aesthetic cafe serves up flakey croissants alongside coffee from multiple roasters. It's a great place to take a break between thrift shops.

Commercial Drive

Commercial Drive in East Vancouver is a unique mix of ethnic shops, cafes, and boutiques. The neighbourhood is LGBTQ-friendly and popular with artists, so it's a great place for thrifting and zero-waste shopping.

Historically, Commercial Drive was Vancouver's Little Italy. While it's more diverse today, its Italian heritage lives on at Cafe Calabria, open since 1976. Stop in for a traditional Italian coffee, biscotti, or gelato.

If you want to eat local, shop at Eternal Abundance, a funky cafe and organic market. Everything they carry is vegan. Most items are packaged in returnable glass jars or compostable plastic bags.

Founded in 2003, Mintage has three vintage stores in Vancouver including their original shop on Commerical Drive. They carry vintage items from the 1920s to the 1990s as well as upcycled and repurposed clothing and bags.

The Only Vintage specializes in rare and collectible sustainable vintage fashion. They sift through thousands of pounds of used clothing to create a curated collection that is size-inclusive.

Shop secondhand clothing and artisan creations made by women at My Sister's Closet. It's a social enterprise of Battered Women's Support Services.

Downtown

You can go thrifting without leaving downtown Vancouver. You'll find thrift stores in Yaletown, Gastown, and Chinatown.

Wildlife Thrift Store occupies a huge space on the corner of Granville and Drake Streets. Originally, they donated profits to the Wildlife Rescue Association, but these days they donate partial proceeds to local non-profits that assist people experiencing mental health and poverty issues, addiction, and homelessness.

Community Thrift and Vintage has two locations around the corner from each other on East Hastings and Carrall Streets in Gastown. The East Hastings location carries unisex clothing while the Carrall Street storefront is called The Frock shop and stocks dresses. Both locations are a not-for-profit social enterprise that benefits the PHS Community Services Society by supporting housing, healthcare, and harm reduction.

Browse the racks of women's clothing and accessories at Chinatown Vintage Community Thrift Shop on East Pender Street. It is a social enterprise of the Chinatown Foundation and all profits go towards the revitalization of the Chinatown neighbourhood.

If you need a break from shopping, grab a coffee at East Van Roasters on Carrall Street in Gastown. They make artisanal coffee and chocolate and roast their own beans. The business is a social enterprise that provides career training for women experiencing barriers to employment in the Downtown Eastside.