Creating a positive environmental impact can start right from your home. Many apartment owners and residents often use products that are both wasteful and toxic. Therefore, eco-friendly apartment living can start with as little as being mindful of the kind of cleaning products, furniture, and sustainability of the items you use.
You don't need greenhouses or solar panels for sustainable living. You can take earth-conscious steps towards making your apartment an eco-friendly zone. In this article, we will explore the benefits of eco-friendly apartment living as well as tips and ideas that will help you create an eco-friendly apartment.
1. Save energy
There are many ways to save energy in your apartment building. Lighting is one thing that steadily consumes energy. Make sure you switch off all the lights when they are not in use. Consider using more natural lighting in your apartment space.
You can also use cost-effective light bulbs. Instead of the standard halogen bulbs, consider switching to LEDs. These light bulbs are eco-friendly and energy-efficient. They also have a longer lifespan and can save you money on your electric bill.
2. Conserve water
Some people believe that water is an unlimited resource. However, this is quite the opposite.
Although the earth is made up of about 70% of water, there is a shortage of clean water. You can conserve water by using water wisely. Avoid running water when not in use, take shorter showers, and fix broken pipes to avoid water waste. Also, use showerheads and washing machines that are water efficient.
2. Conserve water
Some people believe that water is an unlimited resource. However, this is quite the opposite.
Although the earth is made up of about 70% of water, there is a shortage of clean water. You can conserve water by using water wisely. Avoid running water when not in use, take shorter showers, and fix broken pipes to avoid water waste. Also, use showerheads and washing machines that are water efficient.
4. Be mindful of appliances
One way to live in an apartment that saves the planet is to swap some of your appliances for planet-friendly alternatives. Appliances like fridges and air conditioners tend to use up more energy.
When buying electrical appliances, check for an energy star rating. This will tell you how much energy you can save with those appliances. You want to make sure you purchase appliances that are the most power-efficient. You will not only be protecting the environment but will save up on billing costs.
5. Use sustainable materials for furnishings
Consider switching out hardwood for other sustainable materials when picking out furnishings for your apartment. Using hardwood is harmful for various reasons; firstly, the chemicals used in coating wood contain harmful VOCs. Also, the deforestation of these trees poses another environmental problem.
6. Add some plants to your apartment space
Most standard synthetic products release VOC (volatile organic compounds) that build up even more in a small space. These chemicals are toxic and can be harmful to our health. On the other hand, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Studies show that plants can absorb harmful chemicals and give off byproducts that are harmless.
7. Use furniture with certified materials
When picking out furniture for your apartment, look out for furniture that is FSC certified. The FSC (First Stewardship Council) has a set of principles that ensure maximum transparency and responsibility. They regulate the use of pesticides and other illegal chemicals. Buying FSC-certified furniture means sustainably sourcing the wood and harvesting it responsibly. There are also alternative furniture options like soy-based foams and recycled textiles.
8. Use natural floor coverings
It’s easy to overlook floor coverings, but some floor coverings, like carpets, emit dangerous chemicals. These chemicals can sometimes be odorless. Fillers made with plastics and synthetic rubbers used in making carpets contain VOCs that can affect our respiratory system. Also, treatments and glues used in carpets contain toxic chemicals.
9. Use low-VOC paint
Low VOC paints contain less volatile organic compounds. These compounds contribute to pollution and reduce indoor air quality. Low VOC paints dry out much faster and has rougher surfaces. If you are moving into a new apartment, you could request from the landlord that the walls are painted with low VOC paint, or you could wait for a few days for the paint to completely dry out before moving in.
10. Ventilate your apartment
To improve indoor air quality and make your apartment eco-friendly, make it a habit to ventilate your apartment. Open the windows and doors to allow toxins and chemicals to go out of your house and allow fresh air to come in. This is also an excellent way to promote natural lighting. It also uses less power and can help you save on the air conditioning bill.
11. Control room temperature naturally
A simple and natural way to cool down a hot room is to use window treatments and curtains.
Window treatments provide shade against the sun, especially during summer, and trap heat during winter. Also, window treatments add a good touch of design to your apartment building.
Curtains also help to reduce the heat transferred by the window. Studies demonstrate that medium-colored draperies with white plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33%5.
12. Reuse, reduce and recycle
One way to live in an apartment that is eco-friendly is to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle. Adopt the zero-waste lifestyle by reusing items, reducing consumption, and recycling materials. If you live in an eco-friendly apartment community, you might have a recycling facility close to your apartment, making it easy to drop off your recyclables. But if you don't live in apartment buildings that come with recycling facilities, it can get a tad difficult.
13. Buy zero waste and sustainable goods
When replacing items in your apartment in plastic bottles or wasteful packaging, stop for a moment and consider zero-waste alternatives to the mass-produced items on supermarket shelves.
Conclusion
Creating an eco-friendly apartment has immense benefits. You can rid your space of dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and create a cleaner, safer environment. You can improve your health by avoiding products and materials that contain toxic chemicals. You can also save energy by using lights and electrical appliances that are power efficient. Practice the tips mentioned above and create an eco-friendly apartment. Not only will you save money, but you will be doing your part in saving our planet.
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