Drink Local Beer, Order Beers on Tap. 

 Yes it’s even possible to adopt a green stance towards going out on the town. One easy way to do this is to order beers from local breweries- they have lower costs of production and their products travel shorter distances than larger, more well-known breweries.

Try ordering only beers available on tap, especially if it's a microbrew/local brew. Beers dispensed this way have a sixty eight percent lower toll on the environment as compared to bottled beers. As to which is better for the environment- glass or aluminum- the issue remains complex and depends upon how much recycled material goes into different aluminums. But, you can at least be sure that choosing beer on tap, and seeking out local brews is a good bet. There are, however, certain larger breweries which proudly espouse green business practices, such as Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.

Check out the following list of local breweries, and keep your eyes open for their products as you hit the city’s bars, restaurants, and stores.

Brooklyn Brewery

 Not only are these guys are about as local as they come, their beers can be found almost anywhere you turn in NYC (and often on tap!). Wind turbines power their entire operation at both the headquarters and brewery. You can also visit them every Friday at the Brewery for happy hour.

Blue Point Brewing Company

  Located on Long Island, this company distributes some of the most interesting, exciting brews around, including it’s classic Toasted Lager, an Oatmeal Stout, Pumpkin Ale, and my personal, favorite beer, Blue Point Brewing Co’s Blueberry Ale. 

Sixpoint Brewing Company 

 Tasty beer brewed locally in Brooklyn.

Heartland Brewery

  Their famous restaurant-bar is filled with unique brews manufactured in Brooklyn.

Eat Your Veggies. Shop the Farmers’ Markets 

Go green by eating green. Eating more fruits and vegetables and reducing consumption of meat isn’t just a good health tip. Livestock production accounts for a massive chunk of   human carbon-based emissions. Vegetarianism is greener, unfortunately for those foodies who relish delicious meats in all its forms. Current practices in cultivating meats, sadly, can’t be sustained. So for those who can live without meat and poultry, now may be the time to go vegetarian!

 When possible, visiting farmers’ markets can be a great way to adopt green lifestyle choices. Additionally, farmers’ markets can often be more affordable, despite common misconceptions, because their products travel shorter distances (also eco-friendly), and the farmers sell their products directly to shoppers. On top of that, these local farmers often espouse green practices. And, in case there’s any doubt, one can always learn about the farmers’ practices first hand by just asking the individuals running their stand.

Finally, you can buy organic foods at supermarkets without spending exorbitant amounts of money by staying seasonal—the organic foods that are in season will be cheaper because they are in abundance.

Eco-Fashion and Green Clothing Tips 

The growing trend known as Eco-Fashion played a part in last week’s New York Fashion Week 2012.TheGreenShows showcased a number of designers’ stunning, environmentally friendly fashion items, as part of their ongoing participation in the eco-fashion movement. Brands included H. Fredriksson, Ajna, The Battalion, Luis Valenzuela, Study NY, Artists and Revolutionaries, United Bamboo.

[courtesy of greenhouseoffashion.com- check out the site for more about these innovative designs!]

Other clothing care tips include buying clothes which can be washed in cold water and hang-dried, perusing local thrift stores for previously worn fashions (NYC has some of the best upscale thrift stores around), and opting to use one of NYC’s many green dry cleaning businesses.  

Natural Oils, No Chemicals 

A great, small way to further contribute to reducing harmful emissions is to choose “green” cosmetic products. Products to seek out include those containing natural oils, butters, food-based proteins, and essential oils. Products free of potentially harmful chemicals, artificial fragrances, and other harmful byproducts should be avoided as much as possible.

Traveling Green

  Because New Yorkers rely more extensively on walking, biking, and public transportation than many other locations, they might have the advantage of a slight jump start on green traveling.  Using public transportation, and opting to walk or bike for shorter journeys are essential first steps in contributing to a healthier environment.  On top of that, there are a number of green choices one can make when traveling out of town, including choosing non-stop flights, canceling newspaper deliveries, adjusting household appliances and thermostats that won’t be in use,  and packing as lightly as possible (the heavier the load, the more fuel required to fly an airplane, operate a train, etc).