Can anyone recommend some places to donate lightly used kids clothing and sports equipment in the Montreal area?
Submitted April 30, 2026 at 10:58AM by Hatleymom https://ift.tt/daoYXZR
Can anyone recommend some places to donate lightly used kids clothing and sports equipment in the Montreal area?
Last year I saw this documentary called Buy Now - The Shopping Conspiracy, since then I have been trying to be more intentional the purchase I make, and specifically moving away from 100% petroleum-based synthetics like polyester and look for alternative that lasts, so I can buy less. I used to rely on poly-blends because they were cheap (yes, guilty as charged), but I couldn't ignore the microplastic shedding and the fact that they always felt "suffocating" in humid weather. The worst part is because the price is so low, I end up getting more than what I need, and not giving the care that clothes deserve.
One of the ways to counter that is to look for eco-friendlier options like Everlane and definitely stay away from Fast Fashion. The issue with Everlane is that I feel like the quality hasn’t lived up to its brand. On a more positive note though, my latest discovery is this bio-based alternative, specifically wood-pulp viscose. It was a bit of a learning curve to understand the difference between a "synthetic" and a "semi-synthetic" like this. Unlike polyester, which is essentially plastic, this wood-pulp fabric is breathable and biodegradable. While it does contain a small amount of spandex to give it that necessary stretch and recovery, it is drastically better and with the proper washing care (just following the washing label and not throw everything into dryer), my shirts from OGL, this eco brand I found online, seem to last well over a year while keeping the shape and drape.
I’m curious if others have made the conscious effort when you all shop for clothes? Let’s face it, i love that dopamine rush when I add clothes in my shopping cart. I know, it fades quickly too. But what are your tricks to shopping more consciously?
We began researching whether or not there are truly eco-friendly alternatives to socks and hosiery a few days ago, as more people are attempting to shop sustainable fashion.
Initially, we believed that the majority of socks would still be created using regular synthetic fabrics, however, after doing a little more research, we found out that there are numerous greener options available in the market.
Based on our research, the eco-friendly socks and hosiery are frequently manufactured using such materials as organic cotton, bamboo fibers, recycled polyester, hemp, and merino wool. These materials will help minimize environmental impact by consuming less water, less chemicals and generating less waste in the manufacturing process.
We also realized that bamboo and organic cotton are particularly popular as they are soft, breathable and renewable. Other brands are also concerned with durability and hence the products live longer and lessen the necessity of replacement.
As we went through various products on Alibaba, we also noticed that a lot of manufacturers are currently selling eco friendly socks and hosieries in large quantities, with recycled and plant based materials options available as well.
As we have been taught, sustainable hosiery does not just concern materials but also extended life, moral production, and minimizing wastage of materials.
In the process of investigating, however, yes--eco-friendly socks and hosiery are certainly present and they are increasingly becoming more prevalent with each season.
dress i made via organic undyed organic pima cotton
I'm a knitwear designer. For a long time I thought sustainability was about what you make things from. Organic cotton, natural dyes, ethical supply chains. All of that matters. But it wasn't the whole answer.
About 3 years ago I bought two things the same week. A cotton t-shirt from a brand that marketed itself as sustainable. And a cashmere sweater that cost me $250.
The t-shirt had a hole after 2 washes. The cashmere pilled after a couple of wears. Honestly, I felt like I threw close to $400 down the drain between these 2 purchases.
That's when it hit me. Sustainability isn't just about the material. It's about whether the thing you bought is still in your closet in 10 years. Act
The real shift was accepting that the most sustainable garment is one you actually keep. Which means it has to be worth keeping. Which means the design, the craft, the intention behind it has to earn its place in your life. That realization is what led me to start Rivelle Knits.
I stopped asking "how do I make more" and started asking "what is actually worth making." It's a harder question than it sounds. The pieces I make have to count.
Design and prototyping takes me close to a year to get right. What goes into production ends up being around 40 pieces. Each one made entirely by a single knitter, by hand, hundreds of hours. When they're gone I don't restock. I go back to the drawing board and design something new that earns its place.
Fast fashion trained me to consume. And honestly it's designed that way. Things are made cheaply and meant to wear down fast so you buy again. I want to make the opposite. I don't know if I've fully figured it out yet. But I know I'd rather make 40 things that matter than 4000 things that don't. I think I'm at the point in my life where I want to create things that have meaning: either helping communities, making people feel confident, or, actually, just having people feel joy. To me, that matters way more than anything else I can do.
Hellooo everyone!
I’m currently trying to find a good activewear setup and would really appreciate some advice from people who maybe have some recommendations.
I’m looking for something that ideally uses more natural / low-tox materials (organic cotton, TENCEL, etc.) or at least cleaner fabrics without PFAS or heavy chemical finishes. I know that limits options a lot, especially for higher support sports bras.
In terms of training, I mainly do resistance/strength training, with some occasional HIIT classes, so I need at least medium support, ideally something that can handle a bit of movement but doesn’t necessarily need to be extreme high-impact all the time.
I’ve also found that I really don’t get on well with traditional structured bras (wired or very “cup-shaped” sports bras) — they feel bulky and uncomfortable for me. I prefer more of an activewear set / crop-top style bra that feels smoother and less restrictive.
For reference, my measurements/size:
Underbust: 80 cm Bust: 92 cm
I usually wear UK 12DD / EU approx 85B depending on brand (fits comfortably in some everyday bras)
I’ve looked at brands like Seela, MATE the Label, Tripulse, Organic Basics, etc., but I’m struggling to find something that balances:
cleaner materials
enough support for workouts
and a non-bulky, comfortable fit for a fuller bust
If anyone has recommendations for brands or specific pieces that might work, especially in the EU or that ship to Europe, I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks so much in advance 😊