Renowned for its thriving financial district, vibrant culture and international allure, New York City welcomed over 65 million people to its metropolis in 2018 alone. As a leading economic hub, countless also look to the city to spearhead the global sustainability movement.
As international focus turns to sustainability in New York, businesses and authorities have implemented policies and changes which mean being more sustainable in New York has never been easier. Keep reading to discover our 7 top tips for living green in the Big Apple, as well as industry insight into the city from one of our New York property partners.
Shop Second-Hand
Regarded as the fashion capital of the world, major fashion labels and retailers call the city home; New York Fashion Week is attended by over 200,000 people each year and generates over $900 million annually. For fashion enthusiasts, shopping in the city is definitely a bucket-list experience.
For visitors prioritising sustainability in New York, the city has a number of thrift stores, flea markets and sustainable fashion labels to explore. As vintage and Y2K fashion trends resurface, why not check out The Brooklyn Flea which offers a selection of vintage clothes, or Procell which is rumoured to be adored by celebrities such as Rihanna and Bella Hadid. If thrift stores are more your style, click here to discover TimeOut’s recommendations.
Buy Local Food Produce
Living green in New York is made simple due to the city’s abundance of fresh, locally grown produce. New York State has over 400 farmers’ markets and New York City’s Greenmarkets can be found in over 50 locations. Being more sustainable in New York can be as simple as checking out the organic, local produce on offer at one of the city’s many markets.
The city also has number of permanent health stores, dedicated to fresh produce and reduced waste. Located on the Upper East Side, A Matter of Health offers a wide variety of fresh produce, and Westerly Natural Market is an eco-friendly food store which offers refill stations for dry foods so customers can reduce their plastic usage.
Spend Time Outdoors
Whilst it may be tempting to turn up the AC during the city’s summer months, those living green in New York may want to make the most of the many green spaces on offer. New York City has over 1,700 parks to explore, with many offering outdoor programmes to get involved in.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park places emphasis on healthy living and residents of all ages can join sports leagues such as football, volleyball, and basketball. The iconic Central Park is comprised of 843 acres and is also by no means short of things to do. Home to the Central Park Zoo, the park is ideal for a family outing, while the ‘Ramble’ is a 36-acre woodland area, providing city-dwellers an escape into nature. Tours of the expanse are also available; horse-drawn carriage rides, and TV and Movie Site tours, are just two ways you can explore the park.
Click here to see SilverDoor's recommendations for the 5 best outdoor spaces in the city.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
New Yorkers are certainly known for their love of ‘caw-fee’, but did you know that roughly 99.75% of disposable coffee cups can’t be recycled and end up in landfills? For those needing a coffee fix, but also trying to be more sustainable in New York, the city has plenty of options for a more sustainable sip.
In Brooklyn, Lattente is the go-to coffee shop for locals focused on living green in New York. When customers bring a reusable coffee cup to Lattente, they get a free shot of espresso or a dollar off their drink. This incentive is popular amongst other coffee chains – Starbucks offers points towards their reward scheme, and also a 10-cent discount, to those who bring a reusable cup.
‘The Champagne of Drinking Water’
New York is renowned for its high-quality drinking water, sourced from the Catskill and Delaware County Mountains. Each day in the Big Apple, field scientists test samples from over 50 water stations to ensure it meets the city’s standards. Referred to as the ‘Champagne of Drinking Water’, New York City’s water supply consistently wins taste tests against other New York State water sources.
In a bid to boost sustainability in New York, the city aims to have 500 water fountains and bottle-refilling stations across its five boroughs by 2025; during your stay, make the most of the city’s natural resources and cut out single-use plastic water bottles.
Swap Takeaways for Farm-to-Table Restaurants
The city’s farm-to-table restaurants are an excellent option for those looking to be more sustainable in New York. These restaurants only source locally-produced ingredients, which strengthens community connections with local farmers, reduces carbon emissions, and supports sustainable and transparent food practices.
In Manhattan, Blue Hill uses its network of local farmers to produce fresh and unique dishes perfect for a family meal. In West Village, Market Table offers seasonal menus to reflect the in-season produce it receives from nearby farms; perfect for a business lunch, it also caters to private events and has its own private dining area which can accommodate up to 20 guests.
Stay in Corporate Serviced Apartments
Corporate serviced apartments are recognised for their sustainability measures and benefits, as previously highlighted in our ‘Comparing Serviced Apartments vs Hotels’ blog. Serviced apartments produce, on average, less than half of a single hotel room’s 31.1kg of CO2 a night. They are often also ‘sustainable by design’ and many of our property partners have dedicated sustainability policies and procedures for environmentally-conscious corporate travellers.
Furnished Quarters, one of our New York property partners, discussed the reasons behind their sustainability policy and what this means for guests:
"Sustainability remains one of our top priorities, and we are working tirelessly to effectively adapt business practices so our employees and guests can feel confident when evaluating Furnished Quarter's corporate social responsibility policies and the overall impact of corporate travel. With innovation at the heart of Furnished Quarters’ culture, we look forward to developing leading policies to uplift our company and the entire industry," said CEO Steve Brown.
Feeling inspired for your next business trip to New York? Check out our full portfolio of New York City serviced apartments and contact us today to make an enquiry.
