Green Businesses in Lower Manhattan

Looking to buy your lunch at a shop that uses biodegradable flatware? Curious what the latest is in the world of corporate sustainability? Interested in supporting businesses that purchase renewable energy? This is your go-to resource for Lower Manhattan’s greenest businesses and companies.

The New York Academy of Sciences: Seven   World Trade Center (250 Greenwich St.) www.nyas.org The New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) is a membership organization with over 24,000 members in 140 countries. One of the Academy’s key program areas is Green Science & Urban Sustainability, providing a new, critical forum to advance the scientific discussion and understanding of environmental issues facing our society. In addition, NYAS is located in one of the greenest buildings in Manhattan (7 World Trade Center) and they abide by green meeting standards when hosting their own meetings, as well as for those who rent their space for weddings, social events, and conferences.

New York Marriott Downtown: 85 West Street

For eco-conscious travelers to the district, there is now a green-minded lodging choice. The New York Marriott Downtown, one of Lower Manhattan’s largest hotels with just over 500 rooms, is the first hotel in the city to celebrate the installation a new "microturbine farm" to reduce energy and carbon emissions.

Thoreau Center: 55 Exchange Place

The twelve nonprofits that share space at the Thoreau Center not only reap the benefits of a joint shared community, but also are immersed in state-of-the-art LEED-certified commercial space. The Center is operated by the Tides Foundation and earned a LEED for Commercial Interiors rating.

NBBJ Architects: 2 Rector Street

This large global architecture firm with offices around the world has transformed its new headquarters in Lower Manhattan into a showcase of sustainability.  NBBJ achieved LEED-Gold certification on its 15,000 SF space by incorporating natural light and ventilation to reduce the need for HVAC and electricity operation, employee-controlled thermostats, and low-flow toilets and fixtures to save water.

Ciao Bow Wow: 16 Beaver Street

As the financial district continues to change to a mixed-use neighborhood bustling with residents as well as workers, one Lower Manhattan resident realized there was one underserved population: dogs. Ciao Bow Wow, located a stone’s throw from Wall Street’s new row of luxury condos, incorporates natural materials and hepa filters to keep the indoor air quality high.

Picnick: Battery Park Kiosk

Picnick, an incubated venture by the Pure Project, is a sustainable food kiosk located in Battery Park. In addition to great lunch offerings, the kiosk sources their ingredients locally and from Fair Trade vendors, uses biocompostable and biodegradable take-out containers, cutlery, cups and labels, and powers their operations with wind power.

Action Center to End World Hunger: 6 River Terrace

In October 2008, Mercy Corps officially opened its Action Center to End World Hunger in Battery Park City. The 4,000 square foot interactive education center is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, and aims to educate visitors about hunger issues worldwide. The space has achieved a LEED for Commercial Interiors Platinum rating.

Bridgewaters To Go: South Street Seaport www.bwtogo.com Bridgewaters To Go is a catering company based in Lower Manhattan that can help you make your next event a sustainable one through their eco-sourced food choices and serving methods. Their catering orders arrive with compostable and biodegradable cups, plates and flatware, meals come on pressed paperboard trays lined with rice paper, and you’ll also get a reusable bag for garbage that can be picked up by the company. In addition, they use fresh, local, and often organic ingredients.

Bright Power: 11 Hanover Square www.brightpower.com Bright Power, founded in 2004, offers a range of energy-efficiency consulting services. If you are a business or building owner looking to green your operations, Bright Power can help you make improvements to your energy use through energy audits, benchmarking, LEED consulting and renewable energy solutions.

Enterprise Community Partners: One Whitehall Street    www.enterprisecommunity.org    Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit with more than 25 years of        experience in the community development and affordable housing field. The    organization’s green initiative, Enterprise Green Communities, has created 4,000 green    affordable homes in New York since 2004 and is working to green all affordable housing    across the state.