Words to live by: consume less and live more. This advice is applicable to all individuals regardless of where you live or if you rent or own. Of course, homeowners have more options and space for things such as greenhouses, clothing lines, compost bins, but don’t let your square footage limit you. There are still ways to incorporate these eco-friendly structures in miniature form. Below are some top ways to manage a greener apartment or condo.
Reuse & Recycle
Designating time to run your recyclables to a recycling center does help the planet, but don’t forget about reuse in other ways such as purchasing a reused dining room table or accepting hand-me-down furniture and decorating accessories. We’re a consumer driven society, so resist the urge to shop and buy new.
Collect Gray Water
Gray water is wastewater such as dish and bath water, and it can be used to hydrate houseplants and irrigate the backyard. However, you will have to use biodegradable soap if you want your plants to live. Another way to save on water is to reduce the amount of times you flush your toilet or adjust the toilet’s float ball so it sits closer to the bottom of the tank.
Conserve Energy
There are various ways to conserve energy in addition to switching incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. You can keep appliances that aren’t in use unplugged and update inefficient ones with energy-efficient ones. Your landlord may or may not help with purchasing new appliances. Last is taking advantage of solar energy through solar chargers or portable solar panels that hang from a window ledge.
Persuade Your Landlord to Go Green
You can’t help who your landlord is — some are going to be open to investing in green technology and some just aren’t. But this doesn’t mean you can’t at least try so setup a meeting with your landlord and discuss some key eco-friendly additions that the complex could benefit from. By having the facts as well as the initial cost and savings over time for each idea, you will have more of an edge and will be taken seriously.
