Running a Low-Toxin Business

Julie Starr • May 28, 2024

So, you want to run a low-toxin business? Kudos! Making your office a cleaner, greener place is not just good for the planet, but it’s also great news for your employees (and their health). After all, who wants to work in a place that’s toxic? That being the case, let’s explore some tips that’ll help you keep those pesky toxins at bay.


Say Goodbye to Asbestos – Forever

First things first, let’s talk about a big bad in the toxin world: asbestos. If your office is rocking that vintage “built before the ‘80s” vibe, you might have this unwelcome guest hiding in your tiles or insulation. Bring in the experts to check it out, and if you find any, don’t just stand there—get it removed! Oh, and while you’re at it, switch to asbestos free gasket materials in your machinery. Your lungs (and lawyers) will thank you.


Ventilate Like Your Business Depends on It

Stuffy offices aren’t just bad for thinking; they’re a hotbed for accumulating all sorts of airborne nasties, from chemical vapors to last week's reheated fish lunch. Invest in a good ventilation system, and keep that fresh air flowing. It’s like giving your workplace a pair of lungs that can actually breathe.


Clean Green

Still using cleaning products that have more warning labels than a nuclear power plant? Ditch them. Opt for green cleaning products that don’t come with a side of headache and nausea. Not only are they better for the environment, but they also won’t leave your office smelling like you just bleached a football team’s uniforms.


Digital Storage for the Win

Here’s a novel idea: stop printing everything. Not only does it save trees, but it also reduces the chemicals hanging out in your office from inks and toners. Go digital, and watch your office’s toxin levels—and paper costs—plummet. Plus, your future self will be grateful when you’re not wading through mountains of paper to find that one important document from 2015.


Plant Power

Plants are nature’s air purifiers. They soak up some of the bad stuff and convert it into good vibes and oxygen. Scatter some green friends around the office. They’ll brighten up the place and work hard to keep the air clean. Just remember to water them, or your low-toxin plan will include some very sad desk ornaments.


Furnish Wisely

When it’s time to spruce up the office décor, think about the materials you’re bringing in. Some furniture can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which is just a fancy way of saying “toxins that make you feel lousy.” Opt for furnishings that are labelled low-VOC, and create a space that’s safe, stylish, and doesn’t off-gas anything but good vibes.


Running a low-toxin business doesn’t, as you can see, have to be a chore. Think of it as detoxing your workspace. You wouldn’t fill your body with junk, so why do it to your business? With these tips, you’re on your way to creating an environment that’s as clean as your business intentions!

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.