13 Easy Ways I Reduce My Carbon Footprint as a New Yorker
People often think that living in a big city comes with a bigger carbon footprint. Although that might be the case in some ways, you can still live in a big city and have an eco-friendly lifestyle.
As a New Yorker, I made a few changes in my habits that help me live a more eco-conscious lifestyle while still enjoying what the city has to offer.
If you’re living in a big city and you want to have a more sustainable lifestyle, these tips will help you get there.
These are 13 ways I live a sustainable lifestyle while living in a big city:
1. They See me Rollin’...
Seriously, I bike everywhere. To the supermarket and to work (when I used to actually go out to work). I bike to hangouts with friends and to different parts of the city. Not only is biking fun and a good way to stay active, but it also has little to no impact on the environment.
By using a bike, instead of a car, you save 6 to 14 million tons of CO2, plus 700 million to 1.6 billion gallons of fuel. ¹
Most cities have bike lanes and riding is sometimes quicker than public transport or taxis. Plus, you get to know the city better when you’re riding its streets! Just don’t forget to wear a helmet.
2. Shop at The Farmer’s Market
Let’s be quite honest, the product at the farmer’s market is so much better than any supermarket. I am obsessed with it. Fresh veggies, super affordable prices, and a better variety.
In my opinion, once you find a good farmer’s market, you’ll never want to buy packed produce again. It’s just so much fresher and delicious. Plus, you support small, local businesses. On top of that, you also find fresh bread, flowers, pastries, grains, and more. Don’t forget to bring cash.
3. BYOS (Bring Your Own Stuff)
This basically applies to everything. Bring your own cup when buying coffee. And your own bags when going to the supermarket. Carry a reusable water bottle. Picking up lunch? Bring your own containers!
Since the pandemic started, I have seen parks and outdoor spaces overflowing with people— which is fine! But these spaces are also overflowing with trash. Coffee containers, to-go boxes, plastic cups, and water bottles. It’s taking over our green spaces.
Simply bringing your own makes a big difference in reducing the amount of garbage drowning our parks and public spaces. And remember to always take your trash with you and dispose of it correctly at home.
4. Eat More Plant-Based Meals
What better way to reduce your carbon footprint than eating fewer animal products? You don’t have to be fully vegan to have an impact. Having just one plant-based meal a day is a great way to start and it makes a huge difference.
Producing one pound of veggies requires about 39 gallons of water. Producing one pound of beef requires 1,847 gallons of water. Cheese requires 606 gallons of water and chicken 518.² And this is only water— you also save tons of carbon emissions, land usage, and animals.
Not sure where to start? Check out this blog of easy plant-based recipes to try!
5. Buy Second-Hand Clothes
This is my favorite one as a New Yorker. Why? Because there are SO many vintage, pre-loved shops in New York. And the clothes are stylish, fun, and affordable.
Thrifting has a huge impact on the environment and on your wallet. When 2 million tons of textiles are kept in use, instead of ending up in a landfill, the saved carbon emissions are equal to taking 1 million cars off the roads. ³
Plus, repurposing a ton of clothing saves twice as much carbon as recycling a ton of plastic. Buying second-hand has a huge impact— not only on carbon emission but on water pollution too.
Looking for second-hand stores in NYC or online? Here are a few options:
Thrift stores in NYC
Online Thrift Stores
6. Compost Your Food Scraps
Composting your food scraps is a wonderful way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Your food scraps shouldn’t end up in a landfill causing pollution when they’re so easily repurposed. And there are many composting sites in NY to drop off your scraps.
Sadly, the curbside composting project in NYC is suspended until May 2022. But you can still drop off your compost at these locations.
Do you live near North Brooklyn? Every Sunday you can drop off food scraps at the McGolrick Farmer’s Market from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Check out this organization here.
If you can afford it, you can also check out this private composting company. For a small fee, they’ll pick up the scraps from your place.
If you’re not familiar with composting, learn more about it here.
7. Call or Email Your Local Representatives
As consumers, it’s our responsibility to support businesses with ethical and sustainable practices. But real change comes from changing the way we do things. The most impactful way to live more sustainability is to support sustainability on a governmental level.
Want to make a change? Email or call your local representatives and express your interest in these issues. Urge them to support bills and projects with green efforts.
And most importantly— always vote for candidates who are willing to show up for our planet.
Organizations like Oceanic Global are a great resource to learn about new bills that need support.
8. Shop Local, Not Bezos
Small, local businesses need us more than ever. Let’s support them!
Buy freshly baked bread at your local bakery instead of at the supermarket (you’ll thank me!).
Avoid ordering every little thing you need on Amazon. Instead, take a quick walk to your local hardware store or pharmacy and get the goods you need.
I took some time to look around my neighborhood and check out all the small businesses nearby. Instead of ordering body soap online, I go to a local store around the corner and get a plastic-free soap bar.
I noted where the local art supply and hardware stores are, plus a miscellaneous store for random goods. When I need something, I write it down and take my list to all the local spots.
To my surprise, it’s always more affordable than Amazon, better quality, less packaging, and I get it in less than two hours, instead of two days.
If you’re a New Yorker trying to support more local businesses, shop for your items at Shop In NYC. They’re a New York Marketplace only for small businesses and they have free delivery!
9. Buy Bulk
Less packaging means less waste— and buying bulk is ideal for both. Although many supermarkets closed their bulk sections when the pandemic started, they’re slowly reopening. Plus there are stores in NY where you can find all your goods in bulk.
These are my favorites:
Your local Food Co-op
10. Switch to Clean Energy
Every New Yorker can switch to renewable energy! The sign-up is quick, free, and painless. Your service provider stays the same and there is no installation needed. And the price? It’s basically the same. Varies from $1 to $10 extra a month on top of your current bill.
Not sure if you’re using clean energy? Check this website! And if you’re a renter, don’t fret— you can still make the switch.
11. Have an Indoor Garden
Or outdoor, if you’re lucky to have some backyard space! Growing herbs and veggies is a great way to live more eco-friendly and to get low-cost fresh herbs and veggies.
Growing herbs is easy and doesn’t need lots of space or tools. With a sunny window or some lamps, you’ll be growing your own veggies + herbs in no time. If you need extra support to begin, check out Garden Republic. They have ready-to-plant kits with step-by-step guides.
12. Volunteer!
There are many ways you can help keep the city clean + green! Find a local clean-up near you and volunteer to keep streets and parks clean. This is also a great way to make new like-minded friends.
Not sure where to find volunteer opportunities? Check out Clean Bushwick Initiative. They have volunteer-run cleanups and all sorts of community events.
13. Getting Food Delivered? Order Through DeliverZero!
DeliverZero is a new food delivery platform reducing waste all over New York City! When you order from them, your food is delivered in reusable containers. Next time you order, send back your previous containers or simply drop them off at your nearest participating restaurant.
Don’t see your favorite restaurant in the app? Urge them to join. Tell them about DeliverZero and help your favorite restaurants reduce their waste.
Order from DeliverZero here.
These are some of the habits I have built over time to create a more sustainable lifestyle.
Am I perfect? By all means, no. But I try to keep improving every day. And most importantly, I hold my representatives accountable for fighting for our planet.
Caring for our planet is the responsibility of all of us who live here. We all enjoy its beauty, its natural spaces, and its resources. So let’s make it last.
Have any more ideas on how to live more environmentally friendly while living in a big city? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Sources:
Forks Over Knives, Why Going Vegan Is One of the Best Things You Can Do for the Environment.
Elizabeth L. Cline, The Conscious Closet. Chapter 4, page 33.