Sustainable NYC - CLOSED

It's the kind of store eco-minded people have been waiting for: a place you can find everything you need--from shampoo to socks, diapers to disposable plates--and everything you want--shoes, handbags, jewelry, cards. The difference? Everything—and we mean everything—is produced with sustainability in mind. The shampoo? Biodegradable and organic. The socks? 100% organic cotton. Diapers: plastic- and chlorine-free; plates: biodegradable bamboo.

Shoes are made of recycled tires, clutch purses from factory-discarded candy wrappers and magazines. Cards are re-plantable or made from renewable tree-free sources. Sustainable NYC even offers solar-powered hybrid chargers, apartment-friendly composters, fair trade chocolates and teas, candles, green books and publications.

From the abundance, we picked out our favorites: organic flowers from Gardenia Organic, http://GardeniaOrganic.com ; jewelry and other art supplied through Organization Uganda Women, Empowerment through Crafts, and One World Projects http://OneWorldProjects.com, organizations which offer socially and environmentally conscious fair-trade options; and the durable and fashionable umbrella known as The Brelli http://TheBrelli.com, constructed of bamboo and 100% biodegradable plastic, guaranteed to disappear from landfills back into the earth within 5 years, without harmful offgasses.

Customers can sign up for renewable wind energy inside the store, which hosts eco-education events every month. At the rear of the store there's an independently-owned café, "Ciao for Now," which servers up fresh-baked organic sweets, savory bites, and drinks. And if Avenue A (between 8th and 9th) still seems a bit far, find Sustainable NYC on the web, at http://Sustainable-NYC.com . Worldwide shipping is available!