Guest Blogger Helene Tack
Local First Arizona

Golden CouponWant to be a better steward of the environment?  Our Independents Week campaign which runs from June 25 – July 4, can help you find goods and services from independent businesses that can help you achieve a greener lifestyle.  Here are some members accepting the Golden Coupon, good for 20% off purchases.  Restrictions may apply, so be sure to contact the businesses to find out how they are honoring the discount.Personal Care: Mass produced soaps and lotions can contain chemicals that aren’t the best for your skin.  Try some of these local companies that focus on natural ingredients.

  • Arizona Handmade Soaps, Online Store
    Peoria based handmade skin-care products. Handmade soap, solid lotion sticks, bath bombs, emulsified sugar scrubs, beard oil & balms, body butters, tub teas and more.
  • FlowerSong Soap, Online Store
    Small batch handcrafted cold process soap that gently cleanses without stripping or stressing skin.
  • Golden Hive, Flagstaff and Online Store
  • We are a small family business located in northern Arizona. At the Golden Hive our main goal is to provide quality all natural bee products.
  • Holistic Earth Remedies, Online Store
    Our best sellers are Herbal Muscle Mist, for more than just aches & Pains, and Organic Face Wash with Arizona honey.

 

Silver Lining Goodssoap, Online Store. Organic soaps, all natural deodorants, lip balms and more. Desert soaps including our best-selling Creosote Bush rain in the desert soap, plus ceramic soap dishes to keep your natural soap from getting mushy.

  • SimplyMadeByRo, Online Store
    We specialize in small batch handcrafted soaps, skin care products, bath and body luxuries. Our products are petroleum free, paraben free and pesticide free.
  • Slather Lotions, Online Store
    Natural, high quality & organic ingredients, hand-blended with love.  Holistic face, body & hair care. Products based on the power of plants, skin chemistry & aromatherapy benefits of scent.
  • Spa Essentials by Lola, Online Store, use code ShopLocafor discount
    As a professionally trained aromatherapist, I utilize my training to help others use essential oils safely and create special products for families focusing on natural aromatherapy based skincare.
  • Strawberry Hedgehogsaltsoap, Online Store
    Luxurious and beautiful organic oils soaps, plus a full line of fabulous facial care and pampering spa-quality body products. We pride ourselves on small batches, high quality ingredients, and no animal byproducts, testing, or synthetic fragrances, parabens, or chemical fillers.
  • Studio 11 Soaps, Online Store, use code GOLDENCOUPON2016 for discount
    Handmade natural cold process soaps and spa products. Creating high-quality, eco-friendly products in downtown Phoenix since 2002.
  • Udderly Natural Products, Online Store
    We only use whole, pasteurized milk, high end oils (not lard or commercial cooking oils) and make soap the old fashioned way!

 

gardenRestaurants: Forty percent of the food produced in the United States ends up in the landfill, so supporting these dining establishments that compost their food waste will help you have a greener meal.

  • Community Cuisine, Phoenix
    Tasty, healthy, organic vegetarian food for all people.
  • Cutting Board Bakery & Café, Mesa
    Creative  menu of plant-based vegetarian and vegan whole food cuisine featuring organic and locally sourced fruits and vegetables, along with fresh juices, gourmet coffees, house-made breads, and freshly baked pastries.
  • House of Tricks, Tempe
    Serving lunch, dinner and private parties in two turn-of-the-century homes and tree covered patios. Outdoor bar featuring extensive wine list.
  • Mother Bunch Brewing, Phoenix
    We are dedicated to the fine art of craft brewing. Our menu will delight even the biggest foodie in your group.
  • Pizza People Pub, Phoenix
    Our signature pizza dough is made from scratch from our secret family recipe, hand tossed and made to order then baked in our stone deck ovens. You can enjoy wings, burgers, salads and other pub fare, including gluten-free and vegan options.
  • Urban Beans, Phoenix
    Independent coffee shop utilizing fresh, local, independent suppliers, offering an art filled atmosphere, with clean, cool modernist lines. We serve the finest locally roasted coffees, organic teas, sweets and savories in an eclectic and soothing atmosphere.

 

lavenderClean Green: These cleaning companies help you improve your eco-footprint by offering natural cleaning products.

  • Eco Mama Green Clean, Metro Phoenix
    Eco Mama Green Clean has found that using green cleaning products is the best choice for homes with babies, children and pets.
  • Honest Maids, Metro Phoenix
    We provide detailed house cleaning services in Phoenix and surrounding cities. Our services significant lower than the franchise competition; all while using green, natural and organic options at no extra charge.

 

livingroomResale: Purchasing items that have been previously used keeps them out of the landfill and conserves resources that would have gone into making new items.

  • A Second Look, Phoenix
    Find that perfect something in our huge inventory of consignment clothing, accessories, jewelry, and housewares.
  • C&S Sporting Goods, Phoenix
    We are a family owned and operated, new and used sporting goods and fitness equipment store with a huge selection of fitness equipment and just about anything you need for your sports enthusiast.
  • Furniture Affair, Phoenix
    Furniture Affair consists of fine furnishings and accessories from previous relationships. This includes model home furniture; designer showrooms and unique items.
  • Luv To Save Thrift Storepatriotic, Phoenix
    Luv to Save is a thrift shop run by Boxer Luv Rescue which rescues homeless Boxers in need, providing shelter and medical care while they wait to be adopted. Stop by to see our ever-changing inventory of clothing, housewares, tools, furniture, bedding and more. Funds raised go directly to the dogs in our rescue.
  • Sweet Repeats Children’s Resale, Tucson
    Sweet Repeats offers a great selection of trendy clothes, shoes, baby equipment, accessories, toys, games and maternity clothes.
  • WHEAT Clothes Silo, Phoenix
    The Clothes Silo provides the smart shopper with great values in gently used and new designer, casual and professional wear for women. Each piece is just $5. The dollars raised through your purchases help WHEAT provide free, professional clothing to women in need.

 

Miscellaneous: Check out these different ways to go green.

  • A&E Recycled Granite, Tucson
    We divert scrap from the countertop fabrication industry from local landfills and recycle it into split stone tiles, pavers and more. Our products contain no VOC’s and are LEED qualifying.
  • EcoTrack Fleet Management , Tucson
    EcoTrack Fleet Management is the leading asset tracking supplier, specializing in real-time decision-making tools for businesses with any size fleet.
  • Green Living Magazinegreenlivingmag
    Green Living magazine is dedicated to educating, empowering and inspiring our readership to get involved in the movement to save our planet.
  • Pop Cycle, Tucson
    We make decorator items featuring vintage imagery of the Southwest and beyond. We have recycled goods from all over the U.S.
  • SunHarvest Solarsolar-hardhat, Phoenix
    SunHarvest Solar is a local, independent, sustainable solar contractor. We provide complete commercial and residential Solar PV integration.
  • Sun Sprout,Tucson
    Sun Sprout is a local eco-friendly cloth diaper service using high quality natural fabric cloth diaper rental, greatly reducing land fill use with an eco-friendly and sanitary laundry process and efficient delivery.
  • Through the Closet Door, Phoenix
    Personal stylist, personal shopper and wardrobe consultant for women.  I focus on reuse and restyling of what you already own, as well as shopping at local, secondhand stores and sustainable, ethical and environmentally conscious designers and brands.
  • Zoolikins, Scottsdale
    Zoolikins offers parents a variety of natural baby products from cloth diapers, baby carriers, organic layette and wooden toys.