Feel Brooklyn  - October 2021 Vol.1 -

NEW YORK CITY: SUSTAINABLE, PROGRESSIVE CITY

Support with Thrift

Green Community on the Roof Top

La Nature Store

Simple Has All Brooklyn BAR

NEW YORK CITY: SUSTAINABLE, PROGRESSIVE CITY

#SUSTAINABLE #COMUNITY #LOCAL #CAFE #ENVIRONMENT #FASHION #STORE #THRIFT

Apr. 01 2015

New York City Mayor Bill has announced "One New York: The Plan for a Strong and Just City," a long-term plan for an environmentally, socially, economically, and sustainably resilient city.


SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

- REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 80% BY 2050 COMPARED TO 2005

- ACHIEVE ZERO LANDFILL WASTE BY 2030 AND A 90% REDUCTION IN WASTE DISPOSAL COMPARED TO 2005

- MAINTAIN THE BEST AIR QUALITY AMONG MAJOR U.S. CITIES BY 2030

1. LOCAL ROOTS MARKET AND CAFE

​- YOUR LOCAL SPOT TO MEET, EAT AND EXPLORE SUSTAINABLE LIVING -

LOCAL ROOTS MARKET AND CAFE is a place where you can explore a curated selection from local New Yorkers. It also features a cafe that serves delicious dishes made with fresh ingredients from local farms.

All products in this store are sourced from within a 5-hour drive of NYC, ensuring freshness. Additionally, they prioritize sustainable practices that give room for meat and dairy to be free-range and pasture-raised without the use of hormones and antibiotics.

At the café, you can find a selection of dishes inspired by Wen-Jay's favorite Chinese cuisine. They are prepared using local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients, making them beneficial for your health.


398 COURT STREET BROOKLYN, NY 11231
WEDNESDAY to SUNDAY 8AM - 7PM
MONDAY and TUESDAY CLOSED

2. PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP 

- PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP" is a food cooperative located in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It is also one of the oldest and largest active food co-ops in the United States.-

ABOUT MEMBERSHIP:
Membership at PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP is open to the public. However, in order to shop here, you must first become a member and fulfill a shift.

ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY:
At FOOD COOP, they are taking several initiatives to promote sustainability. One of these initiatives focuses on reducing food waste. They provide food that is still edible but cannot be sold to local non-profit soup kitchens. If the food is no longer edible, they provide rotting crops to gardeners for composting.

Food waste is a significant issue as it involves extensive energy in terms of food production and transportation to grocery stores. By reducing waste, we can prevent the unnecessary waste of resources such as petroleum and the greenhouse gases released during agriculture and transportation. 

People's shopping habits also play a role as they might not always buy everything they need or can be selective in their choices.

Another sustainability concern is the electricity consumption of grocery stores. With their own buildings, refrigeration, and freezer cases, grocery stores consume a substantial amount of electricity. To address this, FOOD COOP supports wind energy production and purchases electricity generated from wind sources. In addition to focusing on food waste and electricity, FOOD COOP also addresses the recycling of large bales of cardboard. 

They receive goods and have someone sort and recycle the cardboard material. To further reduce plastic waste, customers are encouraged to bring their own bags or use boxes, as cardboard is highly recyclable in New York. Plastic bags are not provided to customers for carrying their groceries home.

The reasons people want to become a member of the coop are varied. Some individuals join because they want to be part of a community-owned entity, rather than simply shopping at mainstream grocery stores like Trader Joe's or Target, where their money leaves the community and goes to other cooperations. Others may be drawn to the coop because of the specific type of food it offers. For example, vegans may seek out a wide selection of organic food, or individuals looking for grass-fed meat. They join the coop to have access to this desired food while also seeking affordable prices. Buying food at a whole foods market is often expensive, but they still want to enjoy the same type of food that is offered by the coop.


​
782 Union Street Brooklyn, NY 11215

Mon: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Tue: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Wed: Closed
Thu: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Fri - Sat: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 3:30pm

3. Happy fridge

- Offers free food to anyone passing by.
​- Allows registration for someone to receive food donations on behalf of someone else.

4. AESOP

- Provides refillable bottles
- Aims to reduce container waste

5. Whole Foods Market
​
Organic and natural products
- Offers organic and natural products
- Encourages local production for local consumption

URBAN FARM GOTHAM GREENS
- Practices harvesting with reduced environmental impact
- Offers opportunities for nature study

6. Housing Works


- We are a social enterprise that supports individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
-Anyone can donate through our system, allowing customers to support us together.

- Our system is designed to be environmentally friendly and beneficial for people.

Finally, I believe that sustainability in Brooklyn is all about people coming together, rather than being driven by big business. Individuals from different cultural backgrounds are actively involved, bringing their own ideas to the table. I hope this amazing initiative spreads to Japan and beyond, inspiring people worldwide. Thank you.

Support with Thrift

#SUSTAINABLE #COMUNITY #LOCAL #ENVIRONMENT #FASHION #STORE #THRIFT

Oct. 09 2021

HOUSING WORKS THRIFT SHOP is a unique destination where you can purchase secondhand clothes, bags, books, and furniture. With ten locations throughout New York, it is a must-visit for those who love secondhand fashion.

However, this thrift store distinguishes itself by being a "Social Enterprise." Since its establishment in 1990, HOUSING WORKS has channeled its corporate profits towards the support of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, contributing to their well-being and healthcare.

All the items in the store are donated. Anyone can contribute items they no longer need, including clothing, accessories, handbags, artwork, miscellaneous items, lighting fixtures, and books. To donate, simply take your items to a nearby store.

During my visit to the Park Slope location, customers continuously brought in their personal belongings. I saw a middle-aged man entering and leaving after dropping off a pair of black boots at the entrance. There appeared to be no limit on the quantity of items accepted.

Furthermore, every item available at HOUSING WORKS features a unique pink tag. These tags signify the specific cause that your purchase will contribute to.
This system facilitates collective support from customers, making shopping more accessible and meaningful. I find it much easier to shop with this system.

In this way, we ensures that unwanted items are donated rather than discarded, and when customers make a purchase, the products get reused while the proceeds are directed towards supporting HIV/AIDS patients. HOUSING WORKS stands out as a unique secondhand store, establishing a system that is not only eco-friendly but also compassionate toward people.

Reference: [Housing Works]

Green Community on the Roof Top

#SUSTAINABLE #COMUNITY #LOCAL #ENVIRONMENT #FOOD #TECHNOLOGY

Oct. 11 2021

"Whole Foods" is a well-known natural food store that you may have visited at least once. The one located in Park Slope, Brooklyn, features an intriguing facility: an urban farm known as 'Gotham Greens.'"

NO NEED TO CHANGE: Fresh vegetables, including arugula and romaine lettuce, are cultivated year-round in the 20,000 square feet of greenhouses located on the rooftop of this Whole Foods store.

1. It's overwhelming to see such a large greenhouse not too far from urban Manhattan.

2. The greenhouses at Gotham Greens use the latest technology to monitor data and maintain the indoor environment.

It also uses less energy, land, and water than conventional farming methods, allowing efficient harvesting while minimizing the environmental impact. Additionally, the energy is sourced from solar and wind power.

1. The power of nature and technology has transformed urban farming into a reality.

2. Gotham Greens not only grows vegetables sustainably but also prioritizes change through community engagement.

3. On the rooftop of a large supermarket, Gotham Greens offers opportunities for Brooklyn residents to experience a change in their lives, work, and connection with nature through farming.

​Reference: Gotham Greens

​Reference: Whole Foods Market

La Nature Store

#SUSTAINABLE #ENVIRONMENT #FUTURE. #PRODUCTS #STORE

Oct. 15 2021

Shampoo, body soap, hand soap, and dishwashing detergent – how do you go about purchasing all the detergents you use at home? Personally, once I find a favorite, I aim to select a refill for my next purchase, considering both cost and environmental impact. Despite this effort, refill packs still contribute to waste, and I find it wasteful that some contents remain inside. I'm sure many others share this concern. I'd like to recommend a store: "La Nature Store" in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

It is a package-free store specializing in kitchen and bath products such as soaps, skincare items, and detergents. Environmentally friendly sponges, brushes, and reusable containers are also available. "We want the items used in our homes every day to be sustainable. We established the store to make such items accessible to everyone," say the owners of La Nature Store, Hayley and Peter. In fact, most of the products they offer are essential in our daily lives.

Take detergents and fabric softeners used for laundry, for instance—they are available in a gel ball form and can be bought individually. The store also displays large bottles of shampoo and hand soap; you can fill them directly into your containers, and you only pay for the amount you fill up.

"This approach ensures you won't be bothered by the inconvenience of dealing with small remaining contents in refill packages. 
Additionally, La Nature Store offers a variety of solid alternatives, allowing you to discover your favorites. Environmental friendliness extends beyond just 'package-free' products; soaps, detergents, and skincare items feature ethically sourced ingredients. Any visitor to La Nature Store has the opportunity to switch at least one item to a sustainable option, easing the hassle of dealing with 'refillable package' issues. Your motivation doesn't have to be grand, like 'I want to reduce packaging!' It can be as pragmatic as 'I don't want to waste the remaining contents inside refill packages.' 
Why not start by swapping out one item for a sustainable option? I'm considering refilling at La Nature Store once I finish my current supplies."

Simple Has All Brooklyn BAR

#SUSTAINABLE #BEAUTY #PRODUCTS #7FOODS

Oct. 18 2021

Brooklyn Bar BODY & BATH is a personal care brand based in Brooklyn. The brand was launched in 2012 when the owner, Joann Montalto, and her co-owner at the time started making and selling all-natural soaps.

Currently, while sticking to only natural ingredients, she has been expanding her product line to include bath products, skincare items, and aroma candles.

This time, I interviewed Joann, the owner of an environmentally and skin-friendly brand, Brooklyn Bar Body & Bath, about her thoughts on her brand and sustainability.

- Q1. What prompted you to start the brand?
  A1. I wanted to nurture my creativity while staying home to raise my small child.

- Q2. What are the key points of your products?
  A2. Simple, non-toxic ingredients that take care of the skin's every need.

- Q3. Which item is the bestseller in your lineup?
  A3. It depends on the season, but as the weather starts to get dry, so does our skin. Therefore, our So Shea body butter serves as the best barrier and moisturizer with all-natural ingredients.

- Q4. What message do you want to convey to customers through your products?
  A4. Use natural products whenever you can, and the battle with your deprived skin will end!

- Q5. What does a sustainable life mean to you?
  A5. Keep it simple. Identify what works and stick to it. We often overbuy, cluttering our spaces and wasting money, time, and energy!

Initially, "choosing to be simple" might seem like accepting a state of lack. However, in reality, simplicity can be more satisfying for both the mind and the environment. I sensed this while learning about the products of Brooklyn Bar BODY & BATH and Joann's perspectives.