Our Story
Green Genes opened its doors in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood on March 28, 2008, just in time to celebrate Earth Day. Founded by best friends and partners, Heather Muenstermann and Christina Isperduli, the mission of Green Genes is to help leave the planet just a bit better, if not a whole lot better, than its current state. We hope to help ensure that future generations may feel secure about the eco-friendliness of particular items and that being green becomes second nature, part of one’s genetic make-up . Here at Green Genes, we know how easy it is to become overwhelmed and confused by all the information out there. We want to help people see that even small changes on a personal level can really add up to have a greater positive impact for everyone. Everyday, we chat with folks who tell us that they make eco-friendly choices in their lives, specifically for future generations.

 

Our Products
We strive to provide clothing and products that have been produced in an eco-friendly manner. By sourcing organic and natural products through fair trade and sustainable production, we’ll all breathe a little easier knowing that we’re doing our part to reduce pesticides and chemicals in the products we use. Subsequently, our surrounding environment will be cleaner. Everyone can start with small steps to save the planet today. The vision of Green Genes is to continually educate the consumer with the latest information regarding the production of our merchandise while supplying them with fashionable and unique products.

 

We hope that every customer reflects upon their experience with Green Genes completely satisfied and filled with the knowledge that, indeed, one person has the ability to make a difference.

 

The Store and the Materials We Use
In creating the storefront, we wanted to make sure that our interior space was consistent with our mission. The floors and front counter have been designed using bamboo, a sustainable and rapidly renewable resource, and kirei board, a beautiful architectural element created from the leftovers stalks of the sorghum plant. Until recently, these stalks have been burned or discarded, adding to landfill waste and pollution. We are more than happy to help reduce waste. We’ve painted the walls with low VOC paints and given new life to salvaged and antique furniture as fixtures throughout the space.

All of our packaging and gift wrap are made from recycled and biodegradable materials.

 

When you order online, your items will most likely arrive in boxes and packing material reused from vendor shipments. When items are no longer useable, we recycle all that we can and donate or upcycle the items that cannot be recycled. Throwing something into the garbage is our last choice…and we pride ourselves on producing less than two bags of trash a month.