The Hudson Valley has a reputation as one of the most progressive and environmentally-conscious regions in the country. There are many reasons we Valley folk seek sustainable solutions: Saving the world, benefitting our community, escaping consumer culture, personalizing our products, cutting expenses amidst persistent inflation, having a do-it-yourself attitude, hedging against the fragility of the supply chain, and valuing quality over price (an increasingly privileged indulgence).
There are certainly more reasons to eschew wanton consumption of mass-marketed goods and services, as one can see sustainability everywhere in our area you look: Organic food co-ops, ethically sourced luxury items, vintage clothing stores, bike sale and repair shops, ecofriendly cleaning services, and upscale grocery stores with natural foods in tubes called “refilleries.”
Of course, sustainability doesn’t need to have a trendy designer label or a fat price tag. In fact, the “luxurifying” of sustainability is antithetical to what the movement was originally about. It’s not about a $150 puffy jacket that makes you look like everyone else, it’s about finding a $15 vintage coat at Salvation Army that fits you perfectly and displays your unique style. It’s not about a $20 jar of bespoke strawberry jelly, but a strawberry patch grown in your back yard or on your windowsill.
Amazing local business people are serving Hudson Valley’s middle- and upper-class homeowners with sustainability in mind. The majority of Hudson Valley residents aren’t in the artisanal bakery lines, though, they’re somewhere between the local grocery chain and the bread line.
Sustainability is likely to become more popular with all economic classes as a necessity as we continue to see shrinkflation and decreased product quality plague mainstream consumers. Whether you’re a prince or a pauper, here are five super-affordable suggestions to get more sustainable in and around your living
Thrift for furniture
What do bed frames, chairs, couches, dressers, dining-room tables and bookshelves have in common? They’re all rather expensive to buy new, and require lots of materials to make. Luckily, our area has a great selection of used furniture spread across several area thrift stores.
Ulster Habitat ReStore in Kingston has a fantastic selection of furniture that stretches all the way back into vintage classics and borderline antiques. They regularly stock unique pieces at great prices, and turnover is quite high.
Other used furniture hotspots include the other ReStores in Hudson, Newburgh and Wappingers Falls and the Salvation Army in New Paltz. There are dozens of local thrift and vintage stores to occasionally get lucky at, but the aforementioned spots always have a large selection of affordable used furniture on display.
Become a minimalist
Practicing minimalism is a path to a happier, more fulfilling life of deeper meaning. It is a pragmatic way to save money and resist contributing to an environmental catastrophe. And let’s face it, you’re probably staring at screens most of the day, so why do you need all that stuff that just sits on shelves and in basements?
A good place to start is at your local library. Books like The More of Less, The Joy of Less, a Minimalist LIving Guide, and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up are classics of minimalist literature easily accessible to any type of reader.
It’s simple: Consuming less is far more sustainable than simply shifting consumption to more sustainable goods. The suggestion is not to throw out your quality of life along with your air conditioner and gas stoves (thanks, governor), but to improve your quality of life by cutting out all the crap that makes little to no contribution to your human experience. You’ll spend less and treasure what you have more, Not incidentally, there’s a reason minimalist design is widely considered to be more pleasing to the eye than many of the alternatives.
Support local artists
The phrase “starving artist” hits home for almost everyone who’s tried to make a living (or even a buck) from making art. It’s an eternal struggle, with the demands of business always at odds with the demands of creativity, not to mention the status quo of inequitable commercial exploitation of artists by large businesses.
You can be a local artist’s hero by commissioning or purchasing a piece, and it may surprise you how affordable this can be.
Can’t afford to pay an artist? Well, guess what? Anyone can be an artist (especially an abstract artist) with just a little practice. Making your own art is a very fulfilling experience, resulting in a piece you can proudly display and tell the story of making.
Try this paint hack
There’s a semi-secret source of paint hiding at your local hardware store, and it’s got a silly name. “Oops-paint”, also referred to as mistint paint or paint returns, is paint that’s been set aside by the store because it was improperly mixed, or the customer rejected or returned it. It’s sold at a significant discount and/or discarded.
You won’t get your pick of a color, but on the other hand, it saves you the time of comparing swatches with minute differences if you’re forced into a shade.
Acquire houseplants from nature
Picking plants from their natural outdoor habitat to cultivate as houseplants is an out-of-the-box solution that can save you hundreds of dollars, no nursery required.
It goes without saying you must acquire your outdoor plants lawfully and ethically. That said, the next question is, “What are you looking for?” After all, many wild plants do not adapt well to indoor conditions. Internet research reveals a wider menu of options, Here are a few species native to the Hudson Valley that are adaptable to indoor conditions (it’s up to you to find them):
1. Partridgeberry – This is a charming, low-growing evergreen plant known for its small, white flowers and red berries. It thrives in low to moderate light conditions, making it ideal for indoors. Partridgeberry prefers moist, well-drained soil, similar to its natural forest floor habitat. Its trailing habit makes it attractive in hanging baskets or as a tabletop plant.
2. Maidenhair fern – A delicate and elegant fern, the maidenhair has a unique fan-shaped pattern of fronds on thin black stems. It prefers a shady spot with indirect light, replicating the dappled sunlight of its woodland home. This fern requires consistent moisture and high humidity, which can be achieved by placing the pot on a tray of watered pebbles and misting it regularly
3. Wild columbine – Known for its distinctive, nodding red and yellow flowers, wild columbine can bring a touch of woodland charm to your home. It does well in medium to bright light conditions. While it prefers moist, well-drained soil, it’s somewhat drought-tolerant and can adapt to indoor environments. Wild columbine can be a stunning windowsill plant, especially when in bloom.
4. Eastern purple coneflower – While typically seen in gardens, this plant can be adapted as a large indoor plant. It’s known for its striking purple flowers and prominent central cones. Coneflower prefers bright light, so a sunny window is ideal. It requires well-drained soil and moderate watering. This plant can add a dramatic touch to your indoor space and is also known for its medicinal properties.
5. Christmas fern – This native fern is a perennial favorite due to its year-round greenery. It adapts well to lower light conditions found in homes and prefers a cool spot with moist, well-drained soil. The Christmas fern is an excellent choice for adding a lush green feel to your indoor environment. After collecting, the plant needs to be carefully transplanted into a suitable container with appropriate soil.
Your soil should mimic the plant’s natural growing conditions as closely as possible. Gradually acclimatize the plant to its new indoor environment, which may have less light and different humidity levels than its native habitat. Regular observation and slight adjustments in their care can help these native plants thrive as houseplants. Remember, each plant is unique. It may require a bit of experimentation to find the perfect spot for it in your home.
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