Useful tips for living an eco-friendly lifestyle in your apartment
There was a time when success was measured by the size of your house, the price of the car in your driveway, and the amount of stuff that you owned. It was a time when everyone dreamed of having the big mansion, protected by the white picket fence, and filled with more rooms than anyone would ever need.
But things have changed. Both as a result of a struggling economy and a preference for more environmentally friendly practices, young people today are moving away from those values. Instead of looking for big houses, they are opting for much smaller, urban apartments. They don’t need to own cars – especially not fancy gas-guzzlers – they only need to have access to them once in awhile.
If you are living in an apartment, you probably have limited space and maybe you also have limited funds. You probably want to make sure your lifestyle is in keeping with your eco-conscious values. Below are some tips to get you started.
Green tip #1 – Take the stairs
If you live in an apartment building, chances are that you have an elevator. And maybe you use the elevator instead of the stairs just because the option is there and it’s easier. But you can do yourself and the environment a favor at the same time: take the stairs. Not only will you get a little bit of exercise out of it, but you will save energy by not using the elevator.
Green tip #2 – Buy less stuff
If you are living in an apartment, then you probably have limited storage space. You don’t have the option of piling up a whole lot of stuff you never use, and hopefully you avoid doing that. But you likely still are in the habit of buying things when you do not need to. Before purchasing something for your apartment, ask yourself how often you are going to use it. If it’s just once or twice, think about your other options. Do you need a drill to hang something on the wall? Ask the super to borrow his instead of buying your own. This will save you space and money, and it will also prevent more garbage from landing in the landfill.
Green tip #3 – Invest in green appliances
If you own your apartment, then you make the decisions about which dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave and other appliances you have in your home. When it’s time to get a new appliance, look for the ones that use less energy and less water. Do some basic research on the options before making the purchase. Even if it costs a little bit more money upfront, you will save money on your electricity and water bills if you choose more eco-friendly products.
Green tip #4 – Buy organic, local or both
Cooking is always more environmentally friendly than ordering takeout because you avoid all the waste of the packaging. But if you are cooking, then make sure you are using locally produced foods and, if you can, organic ones as well. Anything grown locally takes less fuel to transport. (Tomatoes coming from across the country need to be shipped on trucks, using lots of oil and gas.) And anything grown organically did not involve using chemicals and other non-eco-friendly practices.
Green tip #5 – Use eco-friendly cleaning products
Cleaning your apartment does not have to be bad for the environment. First, try to clean without using electricity – can sweeping achieve the same results as vacuuming? Second, be careful about the products you are using. Avoid bleach and other toxic chemicals. Stop using paper towels and opt for rags and reusable towels instead. Buy products that do not use toxins, and that are made from recycled materials. Method is one great and reliable brand.
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About the author:
Mark Russell writes about apartment living and eco-friendly apartment lifestyle tips. Mark enjoys spending time in his apartment with his girlfriend and two cats when he’s not writing.
