Lucy Laboz 
There are so many ways to be sustainable in Hudson County and you don’t even know it. Whether you are checking out new second-hand shops or learning how to compost, it’s easy to incorporate sustainability into your daily routine. Keep reading for a guide to staying green right here in Hudson County, New Jersey.
Simple Ways to Stay Sustainable
Buy Nothing
The Buy Nothing movement is a nationwide initiative that gives lightly used items a second life, all within your own neighborhood.
Right here in Hudson County, these hyper-local groups are a great way to give away unwanted items, borrow something temporarily, or even find that one thing you’ve been searching for.
There is also a Buy Nothing app, which allows you to share, lend, and give away items within your local neighborhood.
Click here to learn more about the Buy Nothing movement, and find some of the Hudson County Buy Nothing Facebook groups below:
- Buy Nothing Hoboken
- Buy Nothing Jersey City
- Buy Nothing Downtown Jersey City
- Buy Nothing The Heights, Jersey City
- Buy Nothing West Side, Jersey City
- Buy Nothing Port Imperial/West New York
Read More: A Closer Look at Hoboken’s Department of Climate Action + Innovation
Second Hand Pop-Ups
Trendy, fun, and one of the most cost-friendly ways to practice sustainability = pop-up events for buying second-hand. Here are some thrift shops and pop-up events that you should check out in the Hudson County area:
Pop-Up Events
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Corr Collective | Virtual
Corr Collective hosts pop-up thrift events called “Nice Rack,” which make the closet clean-out experience more fun and community-driven. These events encourage sustainable fashion choices while bringing together shoppers and sellers, while reducing textile waste.
Learn more about Corr Collective here and find out where Corr Collective is popping up next here.
Jersey Girl Thrift | Virtual
Jersey Girl Thrift is a local pop-up boutique thrift experience throughout North Jersey. They often feature stylish, affordable finds that promote secondhand fashion in a modern and approachable way. The events are usually promoted on social media and draw a strong local following.
Learn more about Jersey Girl Thrift here and find out where they’re popping up next here.
Sew & So’s | Virtual
Sew & So’s is a pop-up with various locations throughout Hoboken with fashion classes, sewing, and upcycling clothing for kids and teens. Half-day summer sessions are hosted at the Mile Square Theatre at 1400 Clinton Street in Hoboken.
Find out where Sew & So’s is popping up next here.
Hoboken’s Vintage + Thrift Stores
^ Thrifted by J&D
2nd Street USA | 200 Washington Street
2nd Street USA is a Japanese second-hand clothing chain with a selection of vintage and streetwear pieces, designer items, collectable sneakers, and luxury accessories.
6th Street Vintage | 408 6th Street
6th Street Vintage features one-of-a-kind pieces from the 40s and 50s. After running a brick-and-mortar for 36 years, 6th Street does mostly pop-ups and estate sales.
Archives 007 | 1 Newark Street
Archives is a bold and vibrant vintage shop full of retro inspiration, with its original location in Guttenberg.
The Armoire Thrift | 60 Newark Street
Owned by Sherley Coutois, Armoire Thrift is a vintage second-hand clothing, housewares, and jewelry store with an eclectic vibe.
Olijon’s Thrift Store | 138 Park Avenue
Olijon’s brings a heartfelt touch to Hoboken’s thrift scene, founded by cancer survivor Joann Saitta, who turned her longtime passion for uplifting others through fashion into a community-centered boutique.
Revival Vintage | 86 Park Avenue
Revival Vintage features must-have pieces dating back three centuries and along with seamstress services. They got their start as a vendor at the Brooklyn Flea, and after finding success, they now have a brick-and-mortar shop on Park Avenue.
Thrifted by J&D | 526 Adams Street
Run by married couple Jason and Derrick, this shop is a treasure trove of name-brand and vintage finds. Shoppers can uncover anything from vintage music players to wine glasses to handbags, where every visit promises a surprise.
Jersey City’s Vintage + Thrift Stores
^ Cranky Angel
Another Man’s Treasure Vintage Store | 195 Montgomery Street
This JC shop is a renowned vintage shop recognized by Elle, with pieces dating back to the Victorian era. Vintage finds from Another Man’s Treasure have been featured in pages of publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, New York Magazine, Time Out NY, and many others.
Calentadoo | Online
Calentadoo is a Latinx-owned digital shop for reworked, recolored second-hand fashion.
ConSHINEment | 910 Bergen Avenue
ConSHINEment is one of Jersey City’s sustainable fashion spots that has premium, one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from casual streetwear to vintage and designer clothing. The shop offers cash or store credit on the spot for any items you sell, allowing you to help the environment by recycling your clothing.
Cranky Angel | 304 Newark Avenue
This is a nostalgic spot with affordable pieces from the ‘90s and 2000s. The team also has additional services available, such as tailoring, styling, and customization, such as rhinestone or stud application and airbrushing.
The Loop Jersey City | 280 Newark Avenue
The Loop JC buys and sells rare and limited vintage clothing and sneakers daily, with statement pieces to elevate your look.
Mint Market | 339 Grove Street
Mint Market is a locally-owned shop featuring a curated mix of contemporary and vintage finds, including a range of designer pieces. They specialize in designer bags and upcycling vintage textiles to create one-of-a-kind treasures.
The Thriftique Warehouse | 40 Carbon Place
This is a place to rummage through old books, paintings, and antique records.
Union City’s Vintage + Thrift Stores
MyUnique Thrift Store | 3196 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Boulevard
MyUnique is a large thrift shop that adds new items daily, with many locations throughout NJ and NYC.
Quality Thrift Shop | 1107 Summit Avenue
Quality Thrift Shop has a diverse lineup of both new and gently used pieces.
The Family Thrift Store | 810 31st Street
The Family Thrift Store is a second-hand store that has good-quality pieces.
View more Hudson County vintage and thrift spots here.
Get Your Groceries from the Farmer’s Market
^ HDSID Farmers’ Market
To discover locally grown produce, meat, baked goods, dairy, and maybe even handmade jewelry, clothing, or art pieces, check out your local farmers’ market. It’s a great way to support small businesses while enjoying local farm-to-table flavors made using sustainable practices. Plus, since items don’t have to travel too far, it’s a more eco-conscious way to shop. Click here for a roundup of all the local markets.
Hoboken
Hoboken Farmers’ Market | Church Square Park, Garden Street between Fourth Street + Fifth Street
Every Saturday from 9AM-1PM until November 18th.
Hoboken Farmers’ Market (Southwest Park) | 58 Jackson Street
Every Thursday from 3PM-7PM, ends on October 30th.
Uptown Farmers’ Market | 404 14th Street, Hoboken (under the 14th Street Viaduct)
Every Saturday from 9AM-1PM, ends on December 20th.
Jersey City
Coles Street Market | Coles Street Park at Coles Street between 16th and 18th Streets
Every Tuesday from 3PM-7PM.
Hamilton Park Farmers’ Market | Basketball Court at Hamilton Park (8th Street, Jersey City)
Every Wednesday from 4PM-7PM, ends in December.
Historic Downtown Jersey City Farmers’ Market | Grove Street PATH Plaza, Grove Street + Newark Street
Every Monday + Thursday from 3PM – 7PM, ends on December 22nd.
Paulus Hook Farmers’ Market | Washington Street South of Dudley Street, Jersey City
Every Saturday from 9AM-2PM, ends November 22nd.
Riverview Farmers’ Market | Riverview Fisk Park, 498 Palisade Avenue, Jersey City
Every Sunday from 10AM-2PM, ends November 23rd.
Van Vorst Park Farmers’ Market | York Street
Every Saturday from 9AM-1PM, all year.
Visit Your Local Libraries
^ JCFPL
Going to the library is one of the most timeless ways to live sustainably. It’s an easy way to share resources so countless people can enjoy them without creating waste. Beyond books, you can borrow electronics, movies, and other media, making it a true community resource. Here is a list of libraries in Hudson County:
Bayonne
- Bayonne Public Library | 697 Avenue C
Hoboken
Hoboken’s Public Library | 500 Park Avenue
Hoboken’s Public Library has a selection of items to borrow, from books to electronics to arts and crafts, all for free with your library card. Additionally, they recently introduced the Library of Things, which allows card-holding residents to check out unique items for two weeks at a time.
The Little Free Library | Multiple Locations
It’s as easy as it sounds. You take a book, and leave a book. This public book exchange is typically a very small box placed outside of residents’ houses and businesses, and it’s a great way to increase accessibility to books for all. Check out their website to track where a Little Free Library is located near you.
Guttenberg
- Guttenberg Resource Center | 7002 JFK Boulevard Unit 115
Jersey City
- Jersey City Free Public Library | 472 Jersey Avenue, 678 Newark Avenue, 326 8th Street, 489 Bergen Avenue, 1841 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 546 West Side Avenue, 1017 West Side Avenue, 275 Martin Luther King Drive
Kearny
- Kearny Public Library | 318 Kearny Avenue
Secaucus
- Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center | 1379 Paterson Plank Road
Union City
- Union City Public Library | 1800 Summit Avenue
Weehawken
- Weehawken Free Public Library | 49 Hauxhurst Avenue
Participate in Clothing + Book Swaps
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Local clothing and book swaps are low-key ways to refresh your wardrobe and your bookshelf. Not only does it lower your carbon footprint, but it is also an opportunity for you to give a loved item a second chance at life. Many public libraries also now host book swap events or maintain ongoing community shelves where you can take or leave a gently used read, which makes sustainable choices more accessible than ever.
Events to Enjoy
Jersey City Connects, Xtina’s Variety and Vintage Swaps, and the Completely Booked Book Swap.
Read more about Hudson County libraries and book stores here, and clothing and book swaps here.
Furniture + Home Goods in Hudson County
^ Sure Things
Jersey City
Casa Clasen | Online/Pop-ups
Casa Clasen curates and upholsters one-of-a-kind furniture pieces and sells them through Instagram, providing delivery throughout Jersey City, and often features items at Kanibal + Co.
Into the Void | 117 Brunswick Street
This vintage furniture shop has 1,800 square feet of eclectic décor, unique pieces, and quirky art, which are fun picks for adding personality to any space.
Salvation Army | 248 Erie Street, Jersey City + 900 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Boulevard, Union City
This is a go-to place to stop for second-hand furniture without big box prices with a bonus — all of the proceeds go to a good cause. The Salvation Army thrift stores support the Adult Rehabilitation Centers throughout New Jersey.
Sure Things | 561 Palisade Avenue
Fans of Downtowner Sandwich Shop may recognize Sure Things from Saturday pop-ups or through founder Marinell Montales. Marinell now has a storefront on Palisade Avenue with a beautiful selection of curated home goods.
Twilight Thrift Shop | 2845 John F Kennedy Boulevard
Twilight Thrift Shop has furniture, home décor, clothing, and unique items like model trains and figurines. It is located in Journal Square and is open six days a week. Owner Brittany Graziosi also founded the Jersey City Oddities market.
Online
Vintage Crush | Online
Vintage Crush is your go-to Instagram account to explore standout mid-century ‘80s retro furniture and décor, from stylish side tables to eye-catching artwork that can transform your space. Founded in Weehawken, Vintage Crush is now all online and accessible for you to browse through the shop’s Instagram.
Shoptainable | Online
Shoptainable is a Latina-owned digital boutique that has a curated selection of sustainable, women-owned products that range from jewelry to home goods. Shoptainable’s home is in West New York and can be found on Instagram, and you can shop their products on the website. Additionally, Shoptainable is often featured at The Hive Goods in Jersey City.
If you’re looking to donate used furniture and clothing, check out WomenRising, located at 270 Fairmount Avenue in Jersey City, which is a Hudson County domestic violence prevention program that provides resources for women and families in need.
Read more on second-hand furniture and home good spots in Hudson County here.
Refill + Reuse
Refill stations around Hudson County create an easy way to stock up on shampoo and conditioner, soap, cleaning products, and more.
Located at 487 Palisade Avenue (lower level) in Jersey City, Lucky Honey Bee features a soap refill bar made with a variety of eco-friendly formulas. Kikilu Gelato, located at 900 Garden Street in Hoboken has an olive oil refillery set up.
Though refill stations in Hudson County are limited, check out these spots in other nearby areas in NJ:
- Bear Minimum | 618B Main Street, Boonton
- Frank’s Market + Refillery | 658 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
- Greater Goods Refillery | 11 Parker Avenue, Manasquan
- Good Bottle Refill Shop | 1875 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
- Dry Goods Refillery | 193 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
- Woodlawn Refills | 314 Woodlawn Avenue, Pompton Lakes
- Rahway Refillery | 1425 Main Street, Rahway
- Sustainable Haus Mercantile | 221 Broad Street, Summit
BYO Bags, Cups, + Utensils
Bringing all of your own reusable cups, bags, and utensils when you’re out and about can make a huge difference. Many spots in Hudson County allow you to supply your own cup.
Here are some shops that use sustainable takeout packaging:
Jersey City
- Alfalfa | 160 1st Street
- Busy Bee Organics | 451 Palisade Avenue, Jersey City
- Bwè Kafe | 140 Drive South
- Cavany Foods | Retail #1, 235 Grand Street
- Hudson Greene Market | 77 Hudson Street
- Juice Basin | 336 2nd Street
- Plant Base | 370 Pacific Avenue
Hoboken
- Alfalfa | 1110 Washington Street + 92 Bloomfield Street
- Black Rail Coffee | 800 Jackson Street
- Bwè Kafe | 1002 Washington Street, 1401 Adams Street
- Organic Basic Food | 204 Washington Street
- Shaka Kitchen | 110 Washington Street + 720 Monroe Street E103, Hoboken
Several Hoboken businesses participate in the citywide Hydration Station program. There is also a list of city-approved Green Businesses, including an interactive map to find what’s closest to you.
If you’re in Hoboken, the
Check out our full list of eco-friendly businesses in Hudson County here.
Support Low-Waste Organizations
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Non-profit organizations that work to reduce waste are an impactful way to stay sustainable right here in Hudson County. This is a great, eco-friendly way to get rid of your things when you are done using them.
Hoboken
Hoboken’s Zero-Waste Initiative
Launched in 2022, the Zero Waste initiative works to rethink how Hoboken manages waste to improve the quality of life for locals. These efforts go beyond recycling and composting — they seek to find innovative waste management strategies and reduce solid waste volume. The Zero Waste Plan provides solutions for reducing landfill waste while aligning with climate goals and improving city operations.
Jersey City
Sustainable Jersey City is a collaborative network that works to keep Jersey City and the surrounding areas the greenest and most sustainable city it can be. This group’s efforts aim to reduce emissions and improve green infrastructure and waste streams.
Here are some more low-waste organizations to check out:
Table-to-Table is a local non-profit serving Hudson, Bergen, Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties that rescues fresh, nutritious food that would otherwise end up in landfills. Instead, that food is taken and delivered to food pantries, homeless shelters, and senior citizen homes, benefiting both the planet and the community.
Too Good to Go is a mobile app that connects consumers with local restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores that have a surplus of food. To reduce food waste, these businesses sell a discounted “Surprise Bag” filled with leftover items that would otherwise be thrown away.
Round 2 Resources is a Hoboken-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to giving back and protecting the environment by donating to the community.
Check out more Hudson County organizations that help solve food waste here.
Composting
It doesn’t cost anything to make a difference in the environment. Composting is simply recycling your food scraps to help reduce waste and improve the health of our soil.
The Community Compost Company is a composting service that gathers food scraps and transforms it into nutrient-rich compost, which is sold under the Hudson Soil Co. brand.
Here are the spots to compost locally:
Hoboken
- 7th + Jackson Plaza | near Portland Loo restroom on 7th Street between Monroe + Jackson Streets
- Church Square Park | near restrooms in the center of the park
- City Hall | near patio behind City Hall on Bloomfield Street between Newark + First Streets
- Columbus Park | near 9th + Clinton Street
- Elysian Park | near restrooms on the north side of the park
- Harborside Park | near shade structure in the center of the park
- Jackson Street Community Garden
- Maxwell Park | near Boathouse
- Multi-Service Center | near rink on 2nd Street between Grand + Adams Streets
- Southwest Park | Harrison Street between Observer Highway + Paterson Avenue
- Stevens Park | 4th Street at River Street
- Viaduct | 14th Street at Adams Street
Jersey City
- Brunswick Community Garden | 174-176 Brunswick Street
- Canco Park | 70 Dey Street
- City Hall | 280 Grove Street
- Department of Public Works | 13-15 Linden Avenue East
- Five Corners Library | 678 Newark Avenue
- Greene Street + 2nd Street
- Lafayette Park | Lafayette Street & Woodward Street
- Learning Community Charter School | 2495 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
- McWilliams Place + 8th Street
- Municipal Court | 365 Summit Avenue
- 9th Street + Jersey Avenue
- Riverview Community Garden | 285 Ogden Avenue
Read more on Hudson County composting spots here.
See More: 11 Eco-Friendly Businesses in Montclair + Essex County
Sustainable Transportation
Getting to where you need to go can add up quickly. Here are some tips for traveling to these locations more sustainably:
PATH
Your speedy underground chariot to Manhattan and other parts of NJ, perfect for skipping tunnel traffic and keeping your sanity (if it’s up and running).
NJ Transit Light Rail
Hop on for an easy ride between Hudson County’s key destinations.
Ferry
Like the PATH, but with better views and a breeze in your hair.
Hoboken Hop
Hoboken’s free little shuttle that zips you around town — an upgrade of your friendly neighborhood bus.
Uber/Lyft
Always there when you need it, but you might want to save it for those “I can’t walk in these shoes” moments.
Citibike
Pedal your way around town like a local, fast fun, and with zero emissions. Plus, it doubles as a mini workout during your commute.
Taxi
Classic, convenient, and always ready to get you to where you need to go — just don’t forget to tip your driver.
Via
Uber’s cooler, thriftier cousin who carpools.
NJ Transit Bus
Your ticket to getting around Hudson County while catching a glimpse of neighborhood sights — just hold on for the turns.
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