Tag Archives: Sustainability

Sustainable Brooklyn Food & Fashion Tour

BTSNYC Experiences On Going Sustainable Brooklyn Food Fashion Tour Dishes

Lets keep your New York experience amazing! Come explore with us on the Sustainable Brooklyn Food & Fashion Tour! Eat & shop your way through the best of sustainable Brooklyn with a local expert.


BOOK NOW!

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Don’t let the city grit sway you, we’re living green right here in the middle of Brooklyn! See a bit more about the Sustainable Brooklyn Food & Fashion Tour.

There are so many shops working with sustainable practices and putting their mission into action that we love to spread the word about!

The tour includes food tastings, organic tea ceremony, and behind-the-scenes access! Your tour guide is also a sustainable fashion designer, stylist and licensed guide. We also include info and history of the neighborhood and shopping discounts (where available).

So, join local sustainable fashion and textile designer, Amalya Meira, for a look at conscious design, forward-thinking cuisine, and innovative architecture all here in Williamsburg!

BOOK NOW!

(Get 15% off with the exclusive Promo Code: BTSNYC!!!)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Meet Designers, chefs and entrepreneurs forging a path for conscious urban living
  • Try delicious natural wine
  • See innovative and up and coming sustainable design from around the world
  • Taste amazing organic food that will leave you feeling wonderful (enough for lunch)
  • Visit a local designer studio
  • Give vintage gems new life!
  • Discover a mother daughter sustainable design success story
  • Like A Local only discounts at local boutiques
  • Learn about organic tea and tea ceremonies
  • See one of the only Passive Houses in all New York!
  • More natural and organic restaurant tips in the area!

TOUR DETAILS:

  • Location: Brooklyn
  • Duration: 3 Hours
  • Tour Capacity: 14 people. Our groups are small for intimate, high-quality experiences.
  • Tour Includes: Meet & greets, food/wine tastings, shopping discounts & more!
  • Walking Tour: Yes, 2.5 miles of walking. Please wear comfortable clothing/shoes.

Rates: $68 / person
Times: Every Friday at 12pm

BOOK NOW!

(Get 15% off with the exclusive Promo Code: BTSNYC!!!)

For other amazing tours, like Sustainable Brooklyn Food & Fashion Tour, you can see our Tours & Experiences page. You might also want to check out the “Chelsea Market, Meatpacking District & High Line Food & History Tour” to enjoy a bit of Manhattan, as well.

If you’re looking for a custom tour related to art, food, historical sights, fashion or any other focus, contact us so we work on this with you! For Corporate Tours, let our experts help you out and share exclusive rates!


Photo Credits: Courtesy of our partner
*Last Update on Feb/2020.*

The Better Shop: Sustainable Store In Williamsburg

Shop Ladies and Gents The Better Shop Sustainable Store in Williamsburg

.We had a great experience at a relatively new and sustainable store in Williamsburg called The Better Shop! We had heard from countless friends how great their product curation was amazing. Plus, we were told about how they were working with sustainability, so we had to check it out.

Shop Ladies and Gents The Better Shop Sustainable Store in Williamsburg Front

As soon as we walked into, The Better Shop, a sustainable store in Williamsburg, Casey (the founder) approached.

We immediately started taking about the store, why she decided to open it, her shoe brand called Sylven New York, we learned about her background and specially her passions regarding sustainable fashion.

“Recycled, regenerated, and bio-based vegan and leather footwear, handcrafted in Italy.” ~ Sylven New York

“The Better Shop is an ethical and sustainable destination for mission-driven brands to share their products and stories. Never on a quest for perfection, we aim to spark conversations about finding ways to be ‘better’ about our fashion choices. Whether through better treatment of workers through fair wages, better materials and development techniques that consider product life cycle and end-life, better community engagement through service projects and giving back, and overall better quality goods that promote longevity and spark joy.” ~ The Better Shop

The entire story is amazing and the product curation too. And, when you mix this with the sustainable factor, it’s unbeatable.

Take a look at the interview with Casey Dworkin, the Founder of The Better Shop and Sylven New York:


Shop Ladies and Gents The Better Shop Sustainable Store in Williamsburg Casey Dworkin Andrea Zalkin

Tell us a bit about you! Where you were born, what you studied, what brought you to NYC, etc.

My name is Casey Dworkin and I was born in Cherry Hill, NJ just ten miles outside of Philadelphia.

As a teen, I become enamored with shoes and boots. I ended up going to school to study product design mixed with fashion merchandising.

I had my sights set on becoming a shoe designer. While I was still finishing my degree in Philly, I moved to New York City to pursue my first internship at Michael Kors in their footwear design department.

It was the first time I got to see the process of shoe design happening in real context, and I ended up finishing my degree, while still on my internship and made the move to NYC permanently.

That was almost eight years ago, and I haven’t stopped pursuing new roles in the footwear industry since.

How did Sylven New York come to life?

After tenure with a few small independent shoe brands learning about the landscape of the industry and helping to build, grow, and launch other peoples’ concepts and ideas, I ended up experiencing a few things in my personal life that made me stop in tracks and think – “what is it that I want to do with my life every day, what’s going to get me out of bed and excited to create?”

I am so passionate about shoes, but I hadn’t found a company that I felt really cared – about values, ethics, the environment, and putting out a truly beautiful and considered product.

And then I realized that I wanted to start something of my own rooted in all the things I cared about the most. And since I had that realization, not a day has gone by that I haven’t been working towards that goal in some way.

Shop Ladies and Gents The Better Shop Sustainable Store in Williamsburg Franey Miller

Can you share a bit more about the ethical and sustainable aspects of the brand?

Sustainability is such a buzzword right now, but to us, sustainability is a way of thinking through the environmental impact of everything we do. I’m super passionate about materials, so that’s a huge sustainable focus of the brand, and the one that’s probably the most visible.

When it comes to shoemaking, you can have upwards of 64 components for a single shoe – that’s a lot of room to innovate for materials! In standard shoe production, a lot of those components can be made from virgin plastics and harmful chemical products.

From heels to insoles, outer soles, vegan leathers, glues, and even the form used to make the shoe pattern called a ‘last’. I look at each of these components individually, and source some of the most cutting-edge technology available.

This season, I really wanted to focus on creating vegan shoes, but struggled to find vegan leathers that met my sustainable standards. I ended up sourcing a brand new material made of apples! We also use recycled plastics and fibers, natural rubbers, water-based glues, chrome-free leathers, natural wood, and components made from organic and renewable resources.

It’s all an ongoing process, but the goal is to make the world’s most sustainable luxury footwear.

Aside from our materials, we consider sustainability throughout our entire production process – how we ship our product, our packaging, the end life of our product, our carbon footprint and the emissions we produce, and how we give back.

As for ethics, we focus on how to carry our values through every aspect of what we do and to the people that we work with. Currently, we have a partnership with a community of fair-trade artisans in Kenya that we work with directly to create one of a kind custom hardware pieces for our shoes.

In addition to our direct contributions to the artisans and their families, it was important to us to setup a scholarship program. The purpose is to further develop the creative industries in the regions we work within. At the end of the day, we want to conduct business with integrity and mindfulness.

Shop Ladies and Gents The Better Shop Sustainable Store in Williamsburg Mens Shoe

Why Brooklyn? What are the challenges of starting a sustainable store in Williamsburg and business in a city like New York?

After a few initial years in Manhattan, I moved to Brooklyn and it just felt like home. I have been able to develop a true sense of community and carve out a little space that feels filled with inspiration, creativity, and support.

New York in general is a fantastic and difficult place full of opportunity – there are so many resources here! I think the mindset of New Yorkers is one of productivity. People are here for a reason, and whether it be to pursue their creative dreams, or work towards their given industry, the collective mindset of New York seems to be one that follows a current.

The difficult thing about it all is that there is so much saturation here. People are working and they’re working hard. There is always someone who is going to be harder working, more talented, ‘luckier’, or further along than you, and it breeds this sense of competition.

Sometimes it’s healthy, and other times it feels detrimental. But New York has this amazing energy, and I don’t think I would have been able to get to where I am if I started this anywhere else.

Shop Ladies and Gents The Better Shop Sustainable Store in Williamsburg Franey Miller

What are the top selling products? What are the most unique ones that people always enjoy? What’s the price range of products?

Currently, our Cassidy boot is our top-seller. It’s at that magic heel two-inch heel height and is available in both genuine vegetable-tanned leather and vegan options. It’s one of those every day go-to boots that is so versatile, you’re hard pressed to find something you can’t wear them with!

As far as uniqueness, people have been loving anything made out of our apple leather. It’s such a unique and new vegan material. And, the fact that we can make shoes out of apples is pretty astounding.

As for our price range, our fall/winter collection ranges from $395 for a bootie up to $595 for a knee-high boot.

We try to stay competitive but are selling a premium product made in the same factories as some of the world’s most expensive designer brands.

Do you have brand collaborations, if so, please tell us more!

My biggest collaboration to date is probably my multi-brand retail space in Williamsburg called The Better Shop.

It brings in a collective of about twenty brands all focused on sustainable and ethical values. All with amazing products spanning apparel, accessories, jewelry, skincare, candles, and vintage!

Shop Ladies and Gents The Better Shop Sustainable Store in Williamsburg Inside

Is there any new, exclusive collaboration about to come “out of the oven” that you can share first-hand?

I absolutely love to collaborate and have a really exciting collaboration dropping for Spring/Summer of 2020.

I can’t share too much. But, I can say that it involves using an amazing recycled and handmade textile blended with our current materials.

You offer custom items at The Better Shop? Tell us about this.

I wish I could offer custom items at The Better Shop!

Unfortunately, with the lead times it takes to create shoes and with my production all happening oversees in Italy, we just can’t create one off piece.

What’s your advice for anyone that dreams about starting a business in NYC?

I think you need to be equal parts passionate, focused, determined, patient and crazy!

There are a lot of long, hard days where you’re spending countless hours working towards something that may not feel tangible, and it can be extremely challenging.

It will also be incredibly rewarding. But, if you’re not working on something that you absolutely love, it will be that much harder. Also take breaks!!

I cannot stress the importance of listening to your body and taking care of yourself. While, of course, you focus on building something.

Shop Ladies and Gents The Better Shop Sustainable Store in Williamsburg Entrance


Now, it’s your turn to visit The Better Shop. Take a closer look at Sylven New York and the other wonderful brands curated to make this space unique!

Let us know what you though on the comments below!

If you enjoy sustainable stores and places, you might enjoy the kids brand The Little Red Planet, another sustainable store in Williamsburg. If you’re into sustainable traveling, check out what the 1Hotels are all about. Or, watch the super cool video we shot with Daniel, from Zero Waste Daniel.

Hours: Open 7 days: 11am – 7pm

Location: 155 Grand Street, Williamsburg

https://bettershopbk.com
https://sylvennewyork.com


Photo Credits: Courtesy of Casey Dworkin and Andrea Zalkin (portrait)
*Last Update on March/2020.*

Arcadia Earth: Augmented Reality Journey With A Purpose

Culture Arcadia Earth DMitchell Agriculture

Arcadia Earth is the first immersive augmented reality journey through planet Earth! They built a creative way to share critical topics of what’s happening to our Home. Come see this augmented reality journey with a purpose!

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It has been a while since I had seen such an interesting immersive art installation in New York City like Arcadia Earth, especially considering that they happen all-the-time.

Every week, there is something new to be seen.

But, many of them simply don’t have a bigger purpose behind it and it’s exclusively for commercial reasons and entertainment.

We all know how Instagrammable places create buzz online and so many organic postings, but many brands forget to actually put together something more meaningful.

With the endless crucial conversations that have been going on about Global Warming and how everyone needs to really start understanding the consequences of how they’re living their lives, Arcadia Earth did a truly remarkable work!


The concept was idealized by the Experiential Retail Designer, Valentino Vettori. And I have to say, such a brilliant mind!

“I believe in Retail, I believe in shopping centers, I believe in physical environments. I do NOT believe in how stores are design and operated today, I no longer believe in the $XSQFT formula, I believe in “IMPRESSIONS X SQFT”.”

“The brick & mortar industry is tired and we need to “shake it”. What was yesterday defined as “Lifestyle” should today become “storytelling”. Brands need to rethink their Store layouts where Products are no longer the primary focus.

“Racks of garments and shelves full of goods should make space for experiential display. It’s no longer “Visual Merchandising”, it’s now “Emotional Storytelling”. I’m an Experiential Retail Designer, I believe in Evolution but this time I’m calling for brands interested in Retail Revolution.”

Culture Arcadia Earth Valentino Vettori


What is it?

“Arcadia Earth is a large scale multi-sensorial journey through underwater worlds, fantasy lands, and inspirational art installations. Powered by augmented reality, virtual reality, projection mapping, and interactive environments, you, the explorer, will learn how small lifestyle changes will have a massive impact on the future of our planet.”

Arcadia Earth Purpose:

“Arcadia aims to bring innovative brands, organizations, artists and activists together to showcase the best of the environmental movement and foster engaged conversation. We provide an otherworldly platform to raise awareness about sustainability and circular design.”


The 15 different rooms, in over 15,000 square feet, addresses numerous environmental issues related to Land, Water, Air and Energy. Each room has a great explanation of what is actually happening around the world right now and the huge negative impact it’s causing.

Now, may times we know these facts, but we do not know HOW we can actually contribute to making less of a damage, right? The installations not only show you visually what’s happening, but also aims to bring and offer sustainable solutions.

Before entering, you’ll be advised to download the immersive exhibit’s app. You can also get an iPad to experience it all. Once you enter the rooms, you’ll be able to read how we’re impacting the Earth and what we can do to help!

After that, you follow the instructions on your iPad to experience the beautiful work done with augmented reality and other technologies. It’s hard to explain in words, but you can see our IGTV video on it!


Now, let us share some of the facts you’ll learn more about:

Culture Arcadia Earth DMitchell Coral Reefs
Photo Credit: DMitchell

Did you know:

  • Coral reefs make up 1 percent of the ocean floor, yet are home to over 25% of all marine life;
  • A single drop of chemical sunscreen in enough to contaminate a coral reef environment the size of 6.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools;
  • Coral Reefs are major tourism attractions and approximately 6,000 – 14,000 tons of sunscreen (the equivalent of 38 Boing 747’s) enter coral reef environments every year;
  • Coral reefs the size of 2.5 American football fields die every minute and 90% of the world’s reefs are predicted to be destroyed by 2050.

… You can help:

  • Choose reef safe sunscreen. Mineral-based non-nano options like company raw elements is a great alternative option;
  • Eat only sustainable fish to stop destructive fishing practices like trawling that destroy our reefs;
  • Replace chemical cleaning products with a homemade non-toxic solution of baking soda, white vinegar, alcohol and lemon.
Culture Arcadia Earth DMitchell Plastic in the Ocean
Photo Credit: DMitchell

Did you know:

  • The majority of plastic trash ends up in the ocean;
  • Around 4-12 million tons of plastic is dumped into the ocean a year, that’s 1 truckload per minute;
  • Over 4 billion plastic cups are used in the U.S. every year;
  • 2,160,000 plastic bottles are consumed in the U.S. every day;
  • 55,800 pounds of plastic containers and packaging is produced in the U.S. every minute;
  • If we continue at this rate, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

…You can help:

  • Say no to plastic water bottles. Buy a recyclable water bottle and refill it – download the Tap App to find free drinking water stations in the U.S.;
  • Replace plastic straw with paper, hay, bamboo, lemongrass, metal or glass straws;
  • Replace plastic coffee cups with reusable ones;
  • If you must use plastic avoid type #3 – #7, it’s not recyclable (the number is on the recyclable symbol).
Culture Arcadia Earth DMitchell Agriculture
Photo Credit: DMitchell

Did you know:

  • Over 50,000 acres of forest (an area the size of 3.5 Manhattan’s) are lost every day at a result of human agriculture. Over 80% of this loss comes from 11 of the most important rainforests in the world;
  • Globally we waste 33% of all food every year – that’s more than 150,000 garbage trucks full of waste every day. The U.S. is one of the worst culprits – food waste has hit 40%;
  • Landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S. – 22% of which is made up of food waste;
  • Methane emissions warms the planet 86 times faster than CO2.

…You can help:

  • Plant a tree to absorb carbon from the atmosphere;
  • Compost your organic waste to reduce methane emissions resulting from landfill;
  • Reduce food waste and eat your leftovers;
  • Donate unused groceries to local food rescue organizations;
  • Micro shop – only buy what you will eat;
  • Buy imperfect, organic product to dramatically decrease food waste
Culture Arcadia Earth DMitchell Augmented Reality Installation
Photo Credit: DMitchell

Did you know:

  • Textile waste had risen rapidly over the years, yet only 1% of fibers in clothes can be reused to make new garments;
  • The average American will toss 81 pounds of clothing this year, and only 10% will be recycled, meaning 24.5 billion pounds will end up in landfills;
  • 85% of clothes you wear will end up in a landfill – accounting for 5% of all landfill;
  • The main contributors to textile pollution are products that cannot biodegrade or compost – including footwear, bedding, towels and clothing.

…You can help:

  • Demand transparency from brands and retailers (like Zero Waste Daniel offers his clients), when you shop;
  • Ask for sustainable clothes and products, the quality is better, they last longer and are less likely to end up in landfill;
  • Recycle, reuse and repurpose to conserve the energy and resources it takes to product new garments;
  • Look for clothes, shoes and homewares made with TencelTM Fibers as they are created with trees grown in sustainable managed forests, so they are wood-based, compostable, biodegradable, strong and sustainable;
  • Used in apparel, home and footwear, TencelTM Fibers are created from trees grown in sustainable managed forests and have a low environmental footprint.

These are crazy facts, right? Once we get these numbers into perspective, it’s just insane to think and realize what we’re doing to planet Earth.

In addition, not only are you learning in a fun way what’s happening to our Home, but for every ticket sold, Arcadia Earth will plant one tree and donate to their charity partner, Oceanic Global!

Before you leave Arcadia Earth’s exhibition rooms, be sure to Make a Pledge that suits you best. You can:

  • Clean your bills: Switch to a green energy supplier
  • Eat Seasonably: East local, seasonal food
  • Eat Up: Reduce your food waste
  • Fantastic Unplastic: Avoid excessive packaging
  • Fish food: East sustainable fish
  • Fix it: Don’t replace it – repair it!
  • On yer bike: Pedal your way around
  • Passion fashion: Dress yourself sustainably
  • Tap It: Drink tap, use bottle
  • Veg out: Make meat a treat
  • Well oiled: Steer clear of unsustainable palm oil
  • You mug: Dish the disposable cup

Can’t get better than this, right? So, “What do you Vow to?”

We do know it’s hard to sometimes find specific sustainable and eco-friendly products, so take a look at an amazing curation of products in their store.

Culture Arcadia Earth Sustainable Products Culture Arcadia Earth Store Sustainable Products

Enjoy this amazing multi-sensorial journey, learn how we can change our impact positively and still, support an important cause! Be the change!

Take a look at other sustainable businesses in New York City like the 1Hotels to learn about sustainable traveling or see how Siemen’s hidden technology makes NY one of the best cities on Earth and impacts the city and your life.

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 12pm – 9pm
Weekends: 11am – 9pm

Location: 718 Broadway

https://www.arcadia.earth


Photo Credits: ©Behind the Scenes NYC and DMitchell
*Last Update on March/2020.*

A Fashion Revolution Week Event In Brooklyn

Fashion Revolution Week Brand Storytelling Get the People

If you’re into Fashion and/or Sustainability, you cannot miss this event! Get The People and Balanced Fashion Present: A Fashion Revolution Week event.

Fashion Revolution Week Behind the Scenes NYC Media Sponsor

Get The People and Balanced Fashion Present: A Fashion Revolution Week event.

An immersive evening of networking, conscious fashion pop-ups, compelling conversation, all-star panelists, cocktails and did we say afterparty?!

The Fashion Revolution week happens from April 23rd through the 26th, and this event will happen on the last day: April 26th, starting at 6:30pm!

They’ll be talking about “Sustainable Fashion: How brand storytelling can help reshape the future of sustainable fashion“.

For tickets: click here!


What exactly to expect from these conversations?

We’ll explore how the power of brand storytelling and how it can empower sustainable brands to connect with a broader audience of conscious mainstream consumers.

We’ll dive into rich discussion with an all-star panel of industry experts and founders of top sustainable brands to discover how they approach building a tribe of loyal consumers, the challenges they face, and take a look at the road ahead for sustainable fashion.”

A wide range of topics will be discussed by some of the top industry professionals:

  • Why your ethical story isn’t necessarily your brand story.
  • Why it’s important to have a strong storytelling and design for any brand.
  • Can brand position routed in lifestyle and culture win new mainstream consumers over at the higher sustainable / ethical price point.
  • Why aren’t more people putting their money where their heart is.
  • What are the ways (if any) your brand “gives back” on a social level and how is it intervened into the brand’s story?
  • How in-store activations and showrooms can build community and tribe.
  • What positive and negative impact do influencers and celebrities have on the issue of consumption.

Fashion Revolution Week Freehold Brooklyn Panel Discussion

Who you’ll listen to and learn from?

Dana Davis: Director of Sustainability at Mara Hoffman

Dana Davis graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City in 2003, and immediately co-founded a design label and retail store in Brooklyn. After several years, her passion in production and design led to her to work across the apparel industries at various companies such as Urban Outfitters, Macy’s and Carlisle Group.

In 2010, she was recruited by Mara Hoffman to lead and grow the company’s Production Department and in 2012, became the Director of Production & Design and was integral in the company’s transformation into the recognizable and widely distributed brand that it is today.

In 2015, Founder and President Mara Hoffman appointed Davis to spearhead the company’s transition towards sustainability.


Shivam Punjya: Founder of Behno

Zero Waste Daniel: Transforming Scraps Into Fashion

Shop Ladies and Gents Zero Waste Daniel Fernanda Paronetto Upcoming Collection

Have you heard of Zero Waste Daniel? If not, you should really see what these guys are doing in Brooklyn! They are a “the first line of zero waste clothing, made from reroll, the fabric of the future!”

The first time I met Daniel, from Zero Waste Daniel, I thought: “What a kind, sweet and intelligent guy!” Well, it didn’t take much to validate my first impression.

After talking to him for a few minutes, I learned and was already completely in love with what he was working on.

Daniel started a sustainable fashion brand called Zero Waste Daniel (ZWD) and the idea behind it is literally phenomenal. ZWD is the “first line of zero waste clothing, made from reroll, the fabric of the future. It is composed of 100% scrap material.”

As a young boy, Daniel knew that he wanted to start making clothes and as he says, experimenting with fabric. So, his mom took him every now and then to a fabric store which he could get scraps of fabric and just start creating different pieces by sewing everything together.

Of course, he decided to study fashion. Daniel went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and got a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts (BFA) Fashion/Apparel Design. This also gave him the opportunity of spending 1 year in Milan, also studying Fashion/Apparel Design.

While working in the fashion industry, Daniel noticed that every company – big or small, high-end to mass market – had the same problem.

They all had tons and tons of waste material that was thrown out after fabrication.

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That’s when the idea came to life! Why throw all this material out and not reuse it in a smart way, reducing waste and creating beautiful, unique clothes?

It’s amazing how much material is thrown away and how much we can actually do with it. And, how we can take this material that is free or has very little cost and do things like create job for New Yorkers, instead of off-shoring and making more waste overseas.

Daniel saw the opportunity of transforming this into a sustainable business!

While talking to him, I asked what he’d say to kids that are almost of our college and dream about starting their own fashion business. His first recommendation was:

One thing that always works and that is one of the reasons why my Operations Manager, Julia, found me and stayed with me for all these years, as we got this business going, was that: business that are actually solving a problem or answering a question are statistically most likely to succeed.

And we agree 10000%! When you’re addressing bigger issues that resonate with people worldwide, you’ll most certainly be able to grow your business, because people will back up your idea.

His collection is not only beautiful, but gives you the chance of having one of a kind pieces that only YOU will own.

In a world where the fast-fashion is growing so rapidly and that everyone is looking the same on the streets, Dan is going back to basics and bringing back the concept of “being YOUnique”.

One of the coolest things in the store, is that his atelier is there too! You can see his team working on the upcoming pieces on-sight. It’s certainly an experience!

Shop Ladies and Gents Zero Waste Daniel Fernanda Paronetto Upcoming Collection
Shop Ladies and Gents Zero Waste Daniel Fernanda Paronetto Drawings
Shop Ladies and Gents Zero Waste Daniel Fernanda Paronetto Scrap Pile
Shop Ladies and Gents Zero Waste Daniel Fernanda Paronetto Frida Kahlo
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All his pieces are unisex, which is one of the other beauties in his work. You’ll find everything from t-shirts, sweaters, coats, jackets, hoodies, tank tops, joggers, shorts and even a few accessories.

If you really want to have the most exclusive pieces, check out his one of a kind collection, currently with designs of Frida Kahlo and David Bowie – both of which we’re huge fans!

We love it all and certainly became huge fans of Daniel, his team and his brand!

Oh, and if you’re interested in helpful tips on how to clean your home sustainably, check out this comprehensive guide on Zero Waste Cleaning.

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11am – 7pm
Saturday: 12pm – 8pm
Sunday: 12pm – 7pm

Location: 369 Hooper Street

https://zerowastedaniel.com


Videography: Black3 Agency
Photo Credits: Black3 Agency 
and courtesy of ZWD
Beauty
: Leila Soldeira

Dekalb Market Hall: A New Concept Exploring Brooklyn’s Best Food

Shop Specialties Dekalb Market Hall

The Dekalb Market Hall, based in the upcoming neighborhood of Downtown Brooklyn, is the new must-go-to spot for Brooklyn’s best food and all local vendors! Their new concept is enchanting all the foodies out there!

Shop Specialties Dekalb Market Hall

We all know that New York City is the perfect place for all the professional foodies out there, as well as the enthusiasts, right?

You can literally find any type of cuisine and restaurant you are craving for and have a fantastic gastronomical experience that will blow your mind.

We are a company extremely focused on working with and promoting sustainable traveling experiences, showing people that even in huge urban cities, you can travel, enjoy and leave a positive impact.

In short, sustainable tourism is made up of 3 main pillars.

Big part of our mission is to promote the values of tourism to the economic growth, cultural and environmental protection, in addition to mutual understanding and peace.

That said – and as you probably already know – our platform is also focused writing about independently owned businesses that have outstanding products and services, and works with other local partners.

So, talking about the new Dekalb Market Hall is a must! Located in Downtown Brooklyn, this area is expanding rapidly and must be in your radar.

The Dekalb Market Hall is not a food-court, as many would imagine or name it. It’s a new concept of a culinary center, with 40 Brooklyn-based vendors. They showcase the best of the local culture and ethnic diversity, offering dining experiences and innovative cooking.

The interesting part of the story is that many of these vendors have opened their very first brick-and-mortar location there and are now able to show the world their craft and expertise!

The space is amazing and the atmosphere very welcoming with a neighborhood vibe. They attract not only the market’s neighbors, but a Brooklyn-based crowd, as well as other curious and community-engaged folks from all over the city.


See below which vendors are part of the amazing Dekalb Market Hall:

Shop Specialties Dekalb Market Hall Ample Hill Ice CreamAmple Hills: Founded in the spring of 2011 by a Brooklynite couple, Ample Hill offers hand-made ice creams. They were named after Walt Whitman’s poem “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”, which speaks of the connectedness of people across time and space. The ingredients? Some of the best hormone free milk and cream from grass fed cows and organic cane sugar. Plus, their mix-ins are made in house from scratch, like the peppermint patties, honeycomb candy, pistachio brittle, munchie mix and brownies.

Andrew’s Classic Roadside Hamburgers: Known as “New York City’s Best Burger Truck, the Founder Andrew Zurica has over 25 years of relevant experience in the food service industry being with family owned restaurants in the 80’s. They offer countless burgers, a few hot dog options as well as yummy sides!

Arepa Lady: They are famous for serving Latin American food in Jackson Heights. What is an Arepa? It’s a food made of ground maize dough or cooked flour, super popular in a few Latin American countries like Venezuela and Colombia. Besides the arepas, their menu is filled with patacones, chuzos and a few appetizers!

Belle Cheese: Let’s start with their mission – “To transport your taste buds all over this big, beautiful world through cheese”. Sounds exciting, right? If you love cheese, but don’t really know that much about it, they are happy to offer samples! Within your picks, try their best upstate New York’s artisan options!

BK Jani: Are you looking for an authentic Pakistani picnic? With lunch, dinner, delivery and take-out options, you’ll be able to fulfill all your barbeque desires at BK Jani, founded by Sibté Hassan!

And still:

Bread & Spread: Offering a variety of gourmet sandwiches made to order, Bread & Spread has also super fresh veggies to order on the side. They newest special? The Italiano Cubano – house brined and roasted pork, kurobuta ham, Swiss cheese, whiskey sour spicy pickle, house-made apple mustard on a ciabatta roll! Go hungry!

Brooklyn Juicer: If you are part of the healthy-lifestyle group of people, this is the place to go for some of the freshest juices and smoothies.

Bunker: The mission at this spot is to share the home-style Vietnamese street food the owners grew up eating. They source some of the best ingredients using vegetables and heritage meet from local farms. In addition, they have the finest quality condiments and no MSG shortcuts. They have a few great vegan options too!

Bunsmith: Founded in 2015 with the objective of spreading the love for delicious buns, Bunsmith now makes bomb-tasting food! They use some quite authentic ingredients and are vegan-friendly too! They have a delicious mouth-watering Jack-Fruit BBQ bun that will make you come back for more. Oh! Pair your order with a drink of their beer, wine, sake, Korean spirits or cocktail menus.

Shop Specialties Dekalb Market Hall Arepas

Café D’Avignon: This spot is amazing! They “bake, serve and eat everything fresh on the same day”. So, you can expect super fresh pastries and breads baked daily and served warm, directly from their oven. They still have a few selections of quiches, sandwiches, scones, tarts, cakes, afternoon snacks and coffee.

Also, try these:

Craft + Carry: Ah! These guys are the one that have great beer! They are known as “da beer guys” in the market. Options are great, varying from the Austin Eastciders Blood Orange Cider and Erdinger Weissbier to the Greenport Harbor Tidal Lager and Industrial Arts Wrench IPA.

Daigo Hand Roll Bar: Oh yum! Japanese food! Daigo Hand Roll Bar has it all. Try the spicy tuna, toro, salmon with avocado, snow crab with avocado, braised octopus, hokkaido scallops, uni and the vegetable rolls. Or better, try them all!

Dekalb Taco: Who doesn’t love splurging on calories, right? The Dekalb Tacos come from Macondo Taperia Latina, in the West Village. They guys know with craft pretty well, and bring to life a ‘culinary journey into the streets of Latin America and stops to pay homage to the crudo scene that defines most of Latin America.”

Dulcienea: Churros, churros and more churros! We love them! They explain that: “Dulcinea does not settle for what “is” a Churro, we are here to bring you a Churro unlike what you have seen, tasted or imaged. Our story begins with “what was” the Churro: we proclaim a revolution and will take the Churro to new heights. Our Churros are stuffed, dipped and coated with ingredients that will delight your senses. We are here to push the culinary envelope we dare you to join the revolution.” What more can we say?

But wait…!

Eight Turn Crepe: If you’re a crepe lover, this is a place to certainly try! Eight Turn Crepe “takes rice flour, whips it into a silky mix, turns that on the griddle, and poof!”…you get a delicious crepe with an exquisite presentation. They have a great savory and sweet selections that will teleport you directly to Tokyo! Enjoy your journey!

Fletcher’s BBQ: Founded in Gowanus, in Brooklyn, Fletcher’s ‘honors the uniquely American tradition of crafting pit smoked barbecue’. They have everything from ribs, pork, sausages, brisket and even tacos! They explain that: “we create our own style of ‘cue that melds the tradition of wood fire cooking with responsible farming and flavor profiles inspired from the many ethnicities experienced while walking the streets of the largest borough of New York City.”

Shop Specialties Dekalb Market Hall Wilma Jean Chicken Sandwich

Foragers Butcher, Market & Rotisserie: Founded back in 2005, in DUMBO, their mission has been to always offer fresh and high quality grocery options sourced from local farms and producers. We’ve also written about Foragers City Grocer before!

Forcella: “Picture a pizza made on a cloud — that’s the best way to describe their pizza, a fried pizza all the way from Naples, Italy. Fluffy, airy, saucy and crisp are some of the words that can best describe fried pizza. Surprisingly, considering it’s fried, by no means is this fried pizza greasy. And for those of you who love crust, you’re in luck. There’s lots of it, and it’s one of a kind.”

Fulton Landing Seafood Market: This is the place for super fresh seafood. Their principals are based on sustainable concepts, making it all even better. The menu has rolls, grilled seafood options, few fried ones and even steamed. The crab and lobster selection is also great!

Yummm….

Guss’ Pickles: Yes, we l-o-v-e pickles! Izzy Guss was an immigrate over 100 years ago and lived in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. There, he started his craft and never stopped (lucky us!). What to expect? Sour pickles, half-sour pickles, hot & spicy chips, kosher dills, whole, spears, chips, deli mustard, sweet peppers, hot cherry peppers, giardiniera, marinated mushrooms, pickled tomatoes, sauerkraut, large assortment of olives, horseradish, sweet relish, and much more!

Hana Noodles: Yum, noodles. We could eat noodles every single day of our lives! Hana Noodles has great options with chicken, pork, beef and some veggie options. Their noodles are literally hand-made right in front of your eyes!

Home Frites: Tell us one person you know that does not like French fries. Impossible, right? Home Frites has a small, but tempting menu with options of truffle fries, cheese fries, chorizo fries and a few other variations! Pair it with a beer or a glass of wine!

Jianbing Company: The Jianbing breakfast is an iconic, traditional, and downright delicious option, loved by all Chinese folks. “Starting with the ‘Original’, you can choose your own adventure. Add applewood-smoked bacon for a hearty breakfast. Revolutionize lunch with thin-sliced lemon-garlic chicken or hoisin-lime beef. Keep it veg with honey-ginger tofu.”

Shop Specialties Dekalb Market Hall Katz Deep Fried Veggies

Katz Deli: This is the only place that is not Brooklyn-based, but is certainly one of their great additions. The famous Katz Delicatessen was founded back in 1888 in the Lower East Side. The place is family owned and run for over 100 years, is known by celebrities, chefs and foodies all over the world. If you’re a meat eater, this is the place for you!

Oh! Don’t miss these:

Kotti Berliner Döner Kebab: “Kotti caters to a growing health-conscious consumer base seeking healthy, sustainable, and satisfying food that’s good for them and the planet. Using antibiotic-free meats, local produce, and a rainbow of nutritious vegetables, Kotti is for the discerning customer who wants to make responsible choices about food without sacrificing taste.” They have options for vegetarians too!

Likkle More: Do you enjoy Caribbean food? If you’re not sure, this is the right place to try it. If you do, you know what we’re talking about! Chef Kemis’ food is “best described as a fusion of Caribbean flavors with classical cooking techniques”. This journey started back in Montego Bay, Jamaica and luckily is now spreading around Brooklyn!

Shop Specialties Dekalb Market Hall Kotti Doner Pretzel Bun

Lioni Heroes: With over 150 different sandwich options, this Italian spot is known for serving the creamiest mozzarella in town! After trying one, we’re sure you’ll be back for more!

Nobletree Coffee: This is for the coffee lovers, like us! “Nobletree Coffee is the culmination of passion and precision. Through their dedicated work as farmers, roasters, and baristas, they offer specialty coffees meticulously produced on their own farms and sourced from around the world”, from countries famous for their coffee, like Brazil.

Paella Shack: Everything here is made by Barraca NYC, a Spanish restaurant well-known for its tapas, paellas and sangrias. Well, who’s in the mood for some Spanish goodies?!

Pierogi Boys: Not sure what a pierogi is? Well, let us explain: they are a type of filled dumpling, famous in Central European origins, in countries like Poland and Hungary. Be sure to order your preferred option, with a great glass of wine.

And, don’t skip these either:

P.O.P. Cake Shop: They are a Brooklyn Cake Shop known for their PushPops! Founded by Shana Lawson, the spot if the place to go if you have a sweet tooth!

Steve’s Key Lime: Ahhh! Key lime pie! But wait, these guys use freshly squeezed key lime juice! They explain their simple, yet unique craft: “We use 5 simple ingredients. First, we make a hand formed crust using specially formulated premium graham cracker crumbs – no trans-fats, no high fructose corn syrup – blended with 100% pure butter. Our filling uses Wisconsin dairy fresh sweetened and condensed milk, cage-free egg yolks and our fresh squeezed key lime juice. Like we always say, this isn’t rocket science.”

Oh! Can’t wait to try:

Two Tablespoons: This is a NYC-based vegetarian pop-up restaurant, with some delicioussss food! Founded in 2012 by a few friends, their goal was to show the world that healthy vegetarian and vegan food is far from boring. They use many organic and local ingredients and no meat and cheese imitations!

Shop Specialties Dekalb Market Hall Pierogi Boys by Empirestateofdine

Wiki Wiki: This popular Hawaiian food place has some great poke bowls that will make you come back for more! If you like seafood, pass by this spot!

Wilma Jean: This local joint is specialized in fried chicken, burgers, and comfort food classics. The name behind these creations is: Chef/Owner Rob Newton and the name is an homage to Rob’s grandma! Cute!


Lastly, beside all this fantastically curated list of local vendors at the Dekalb Market Hall, the space will open, in the summer of this year, an event area!

The space will not only be available for rent, but will also host shows and events curated by Dekalb Market Hall. So, you can expect lots of fun, besides the delicious food!

So, if you haven’t been much to Brooklyn, but would love to start exploring this gorgeous and unique Borough, you can start here! The market is super well located and close to countless subway stations, so commuting is pretty easy.

Since you’ll be in our hood (Yup! We’re neighbors to the Dekalb Market Hall!), be sure to walk a bit around the area and explore Fort Greene, just on the other side of Flatbush Avenue! The famous Digital Influencer, Tamara Peterson, shared with us some of her tops spots, if you’re not sure where to go.

COOL TIP: Finally, if you’re planning in visiting the Dekalb Market Hall soon, but is just craving to try some of these local vendors N-O-W, you can start by ordering a few options online! And, you can still order delivery through Caviar and Seamless!

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7am – 10pm

Location: 445 Albee Square West, Downtown Brooklyn

http://dekalbmarkethall.com

Shop Specialties Dekalb Market Hall Neon Lights
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gary He

Photo Credits: Courtesy of all the vendors, Gary He and Empirestateofdine.
*Last Update on March/2020.*

Travel + SocialGood Global Summit 2017 In NYC

About BTSNYC Social Responsibility Travel Social Good Global Summit 2017 NYC Home Page

We are passionate about sustainable travel! So, we’ve partnered with Travel + SocialGood for their upcoming “Travel + SocialGood Global Summit” in NYC, happening in November!

About BTSNYC Social Responsibility Travel Social Good Global Summit 2017 NYC

It is an honor to announce our newest Media Sponsorship support!

We’ve partnered up with Travel+SocialGood for their upcoming “Travel + SocialGood Global Summit” in NYC on November 16th – 17th!

DO YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE? Applications close on October 15th, so apply now!


“Our goal is to shift the way people think about sustainable tourism. When people hear those words, they usually think about ecolodges or types of travel that often feel unattainable. But, you can have sustainable tourism experiences right here in NYC – and these immersive, authentic experiences are the ones we remember the most.

Furthermore, by mainstreaming sustainable tourism, we have the potential to solve issues like poverty or inequality through travel – and that’s powerful and inspiring.

The Summit is our biggest event of the year and it brings together thought leaders and visionaries to collectively ideate on solutions to push the industry forward. This isn’t your ordinary travel conference. It’s collaborative and action-oriented, and in the main hackathon portion, our attendees are able to produce tangible results and ideas that anyone can implement into their business model.” ~ Kelley Louise


DO YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE? Applications close on October 15th, so apply now!


More about the event:

The travel industry represents 10% of the global GDP and employs 1 in 11 around the world. Yet on average, only $5 out of every $100 spent by travelers remains in the countries visited.

Our industry possesses the power to impact every issue our global community faces. There is an immense amount of potential to harness the power of the travel industry and transform it into a force for good.

“We can change our world through travel.”

Now, in its fourth year, the 2017 Travel+SocialGood Global Summit will draw together 150 innovators in the travel industry to collectively tackle a single issue facing the travel industry. Therefore, our goal is to develop concrete and actionable solutions to push the industry forward.

TSG is proud to be teaming up with Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)Sustainable Travel International (STI)Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) and Tourism Cares to present the 2017 TSG Summit.

The Summit:

Building off of the momentum and format of previous Summits, this year’s event will be focused on different workshops and activations aimed at finding actionable solutions to push the industry forward.

In addition, we are proud of tangible results from previous Summits, including the Ritz-Carlton’s Impact Experiences, a program which has now launched in locations worldwide.


Apply or Nominate an Attendee!

The 2017 Global Summit is invite only.

Our goal is to bring together the brightest innovators within the industry. Therefore, connecting both private and public sector, as well as established and entrepreneurial travel professionals.

SO, DO YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

Applications close on October 15th, so apply now, here!

Lastly, if you enjoy this type of event, you might want to check out the other articles in our Social Responsibility page!

For Corporate requests to engage with serious and credible organizations focused on community-driven project, contact our experts. We can help you find the right fit for your company.


Photo Credit: Courtesy of Travel + SocialGood Global Summit
*Last Update on March/2020.*

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