Mountain Equipment Co-op

National leaders in environmental stewardship on a retail level, the MEC chain works hard to be green-friendly. The company donates one percent of all sales towards environmental causes, with more than $200,000 donated within the Maritimes in 2011 in support of self-propelled wilderness activities and environmental initiatives. It offers 100 percent organic cotton clothes sourced in an ethical way, and a 97 percent waste diversion rate. Even their buildings are built with efforts toward minimizing waste and maximizing energy efficiency.