Green Living in Household

What are some green living tips for people who live in apartments?

Living in an apartment doesn't mean you can't go green. There are many little things you can do that will result in energy savings and support the environment. Here are a few green living tips to get started if you aren't doing them already...

Starter Tips for Green Living In Your Household:

• Recycle. Find out what your apartment building's recycling program is and make sure that you have a container. Donate gently used items rather than throwing them away. Check with the village or town hall and find out how to dispose of items such as batteries, paint and cell phones in your area.
• Ride a bicycle. Saving gas, reducing emissions and getting a little exercise are all positives. If biking isn't practical or it is too cold out, see if you can start a carpool to work, take the bus or ride the train.
• Reduce junk mail by using the Direct Marketing Association's consumer section on the Internet to take yourself off of mailing lists.
• Bring a canvas or cloth bag to the grocery store instead of using their bags.

Employing simple tips like the ones above can help make your daily footprint a lighter one. It just takes a few minutes to begin doing things that will make your apartment into more of a green living household.

Go to this tip

What are some alternatives to chemical cleaners?

Many cleaning products contain toxic substances. Making an effort to use more environmentally friendly products can help reduce the negative impact on the earth and make your apartment a safer place as well. Using less toxic products can contribute to better indoor air quality, as well as help prevent harsh chemicals from entering the water supply.

Take a close look at the cleaning products you use and see if you can make some changes. Many of the green products on the market today are as effective as their more chemically packed counterparts. There are also common, non-toxic substitutions that can be made for some cleaners. Here are a few popular natural ingredients:

• Baking soda can be used to deodorize and scour.
• White vinegar is good for cutting grease and getting rid of mildew.
• Lemon can be used to get rid of strong odors that tend to linger in the sink, such as fish or onion.
• Unscented soap is a great all-purpose cleaner.

If making your own products sounds appealing, there are all kinds of recipes and green living tips for cleaners on the Internet. Look for natural products that you can make yourself. If you prefer to purchase them in stores, you can usually find them in places that carry organic items. With the popularity of green products, these types of cleaners are also becoming more available, so check your regular grocery store as well and see if they carry them.

Go to this tip

How can I be more eco-conscious about my food and water consumption?

No discussion about environmentally friendly apartment living is complete without addressing food and water. Here are a few ideas for greening your consumption of both:

Food:

• Check out a farmer's market in the area. Produce and other items are sold at these open air markets. See if you have one in your community and shop there as much as you can. You will be supporting local farmers and getting fresh food at the same time.
• Eat local. When eating out, opt for closer restaurants and try to choose ones that are privately owned rather than big chains. This will cut down on gas usage and also help support merchants in the community.
• Choose seasonal fruits and vegetables at the grocery store.
• Buy organic and fair trade goods whenever possible.
• Buy foods that have less packaging and recycle what you can.

Water:

• Take shorter showers and ask your landlord if you can install a low-flow shower head to save water.
• Turn the faucet off when brushing your teeth or shaving instead of letting the water run.
• Use a shorter wash cycle for clothing whenever possible.
• Defrost food in the refrigerator rather than under running water

Go to this tip