Guest Post: Go Green on Apartment Living

For those who call apartments home, their ability to change the way the look can sometimes be hampered.

Unless renters have the ability to get their landlords to do cosmetic work on their units, they are oftentimes left with keeping them much the way they looked when they first moved in. That being said, it doesn’t mean that residents can’t make some changes to find themselves living a more ‘green’ life when all is said and done.

In the event you find yourself renting an apartment these days, here are some ideas to help you make it a little more environmentally friendly going forward:

 

1. Energize your life – One of the costliest things you will end up paying for is electricity, so findings ways to go green certainly helps. While your options can be limited given that you do not own the property, do your best to avoid running air conditioners and heaters during the year (that is without sweating or freezing yourself beyond comfort). Make sure you let the sun in each and every window in the wintertime, while closing your blinds and drapes during the summer. If you are one who heads off to work early in the morning and does not return until evening, make sure to properly adjust your blinds, etc. before leaving. Also look to use energy efficient light bulbs, do not use the oven to cook small meals, and check all windows and doors for any cracks or spaces where heat and cold air can enter and/or escape;

 

2. Clean up – Given that many apartments are not overly large, cleaning them typically does not take hours and hours of your time. With that in mind, turn to cleaning solutions that are both safer for the environment and end up saving you money over time. You can end up using simple household items such as baking soda, ammonia, and white vinegar, therefore allowing you to avoid buying store branded cleaners that contain potentially harmful chemicals to both you and the environment. White vinegar is a great solution that not only fights bacteria, but can be used on a variety of surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom;

 

3. Exercise those muscles – For those individuals who rent apartments in the city, biking or walking to work when possible is a much better choice than firing up the car engine. Not only are you giving your muscles a good workout, but you are also sending less pollutants into the air for everyone to breathe when you leave the car at home. If you must drive to work, see about arranging a carpool with others in your neighborhood, especially in cases where you work in the same building. If you live in a large complex and your kids play on local sports teams, also see about setting up a carpool system among the families in your complex;

 

4. Get to recycling – Instead of tossing away those water and soda bottles or cans, recycle them. The same holds true for any newspapers, fliers, and boxes that you receive. Not only does recycling help landfills stay free of more mounds of debris, but you can oftentimes take your recyclables to a neighborhood center for a few dollars in return. Keep a container for such bottles, cans, and newspapers either on your balcony or patio, making sure that you fill it to capacity each month.

If you are an apartment dweller, how do you go about helping the environment each month?

Photo credit: rent.com

About the Author: With 23 years’ writing experience, Dave Thomas covers business topics for a variety of websites, includingReputation.com.

 

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