Here are some helpful tips for making apartment living more eco-friendly.

1. Going Green In
YOUR APARTMENT
Plant a Garden
Planting vegetables and herbs on your
balcony means you don’t have to rely on
industrialized farming as much. You could
even share your bounty with others in your
building and create a sort of co-op.
When it’s time to furnish your place, look at
consignment stores or estate sales first. You
may be able to find some nice pieces that
will be kept out of landfills by giving them a
second chance at life.
Recycle Furniture
When choosing area rugs, furniture or decor,
look for sustainable materials. Bamboo, glass
and metal help cut down on deforestation and
don’t require the use of VOCs to treat them.
Choose Sustainable
Materials
The cleaning products you use can find their
way into the water supply, which can be a big
problem if they contain harsh chemicals. When
you’re shopping, always look for organic or
all-natural cleansers.
Look for Green Cleaners
Hang Curtains
Window treatments do more than add character to
your living area. Shades and curtains also help you
regulate the temperature inside your apartment.
Keep them closed during the day and you won’t
need to use your air conditioner as often.
Use LED Light Bulbs
Artificial light consumes a lot of energy,
even in a relatively small space. Switching
your incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient
LEDs can reduce the amount of power your
apartment consumes by a substantial amount
over time.
Stop Using Paper Towels
Buy a supply of cloth towels and rags to reduce
your dependence on disposable paper goods. You
won’t be contributing to waste the next time you
need to wipe up a spill.
Watch for Leaks
A drippy faucet or showerhead might not seem
like a reason to call your building manager
right away, but you shouldn’t neglect this issue.
Over time, those drips can add up to a lot of
wasted water.
Use Your Recycling Bin
Make sure you know what types of plastics,
papers or glass your community accepts
for recycling and only put those in your bin.
Otherwise, there’s a chance everything will be
tossed into a landfill.
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Before leaving for work in the morning, unplug
your TV, video game console or computer.
Even when they’re turned off, a lot of modern
electronics continue to draw power and waste
energy. That goes for smartphones and tablets,
too — make sure you don’t leave them plugged
in once they’re charged.
Unplug What You’re
Not Using
Here are some helpful tips for making apartment
living more eco-friendly.