Verdessence is a Chicago-based on-line retailer opened by Lauren McGinty and Michael McCarthy out of a desire to promote positive change in the world, and an appreciation for products created by businesses exercising social and environmental responsibility.  At Verdessence, we are dedicated to the preservation and betterment of our planet while celebrating the beauty created from sustainable, fairly traded, organic, handmade, recycled and natural resources.  We recognize the importance of aesthetics in our lives, but firmly believe that this should be obtained with as little impact on our planet and its inhabitants as possible.  Thanks to the ingenuity of our amazing designers, we can adhere to a responsible lifestyle while incorporating beautifully designed, modern, sleek and fashionable products.  Our mission is to provide these products to conscious consumers.

What exactly do we mean by Sustainable?

The term "sustainable" is complex and there are many definitions.  A classic, textbook definition of sustainable is "capable of being continued while preserving the environment."  To us, sustainable means living in a responsible way that allows us to meet our needs and enjoy life to the fullest with as few damaging effects on our natural and social environment as possible.  In order to help promote a sustainable lifestyle we offer products that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Organic - grown without the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers.
• Recycled/Reclaimed/Repurposed - made from existing materials and/or products.
• Natural - made from non-synthetic, non-toxic materials found in nature.
• Sustainable - fabrics or materials made from easily renewable resources.  Some of these include bamboo, Tencel, Modal, and hemp.
• Fair Trade - obtained from sources where fair labor practices are in place, sweat-shop free.
• Handmade - factory free, made without producing toxic fumes and without draining valuable resources.
• Energy Efficient - resulting in a reduction of the energy used for a given energy source.

Are all of our products 100 percent eco-friendly and sustainable?  Unfortunately, that would be impossible.  We do our very best to bring you a large selection of products that have a positive effect on the planet or offer, at the very least, a better alternative.  We are committed to working with companies that strive to make environmentally and socially responsible practices the norm and not the exception.  We feel that every little bit helps, and until there is a perfect solution, this is the best way forward.