Creating healthier living habits and a positive environmental impact starts in your home. Unfortunately, many people who live in rentals or apartments tend to use wasteful products that are toxic to the environment. That said, eco-friendly apartment living starts with you and your living environment. Here are some eco-friendly apartment living habits you can implement to save money and the planet.
What Is Eco-Friendly Apartment Living?
When you live eco-friendly, you can save your bank account and the planet. No, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on solar panels or build a greenhouse to live more sustainability. Instead, you can implement small, reasonable changes to make your apartment more eco-friendly.
The concept of living eco-friendly is quite simple. It just means you’re living in a way that’s not harmful to the environment. It can be difficult to find sustainable ways to live in an apartment. For instance, there isn’t always access to recycling bins or composting resources. Additionally, there are limits to how much you can change your space to be more efficient.
However, you can still do several small things to make a significant environmental change. Let’s review some tips for conserving resources in your apartment and ways to become more eco-friendly.
Tips for Conserving Resources Throughout a Rental
If you live in an apartment or rental home, you may find it challenging to save money and resources. After all, living in a rental can be expensive as it is. You must pay rent, utilities, groceries, a security deposit, and more. However, the first step is conserving resources if you want to save money. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you want to be more eco-friendly and easier on your wallet.
- Conserve More Water
- Unplug Your Electronics
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Turn Off the Lights
- Increase Energy Efficiency
Conserve More Water
Water conservation is one of the simplest ways to save resources and money. Using water wisely is easy to implement, and it can save money on your water bill. For instance, take shorter showers, turn off the water when you brush your teeth, and fill your dishwasher to avoid running it more than necessary.
If you notice a leaky pipe or sink, contact maintenance immediately. Neglecting even a tiny leak can waste tons of water and run up your utility bill. Another way you can save on water resources is by using water-saving shower heads and faucets.
Unplug Your Electronics
Even if you aren’t using your electronics, they still use small amounts of electricity. Therefore, leaving several devices plugged in can cause your electricity bill to add up quickly. As such, make sure to unplug devices when you’re not using them. Additionally, using a power strip with one power button can make it easier to save money when electronics aren’t in use.
By following your city’s electronic waste program, you can also decrease electronic waste by recycling old electronics, batteries, and light bulbs. Check with your local program for more details and steps you can follow to decrease electronic waste.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
We’ve all heard the saying: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Although it’s a basic and simple concept, it’s one that anyone can easily implement. Luckily, there are several ways you can reduce, reuse, and recycle. For example, you can switch to online bill payment systems to avoid excess paper products.
You can avoid buying plastic packaging and buy products in bulk to reduce plastic waste. Even in an apartment, you can find ways to create your own recycling systems. For instance, find the nearest recycling center and drop off recyclable items there. Finally, find ways to reuse old items like glass jars, clothes, and plastic containers.
Turn Off the Lights
Another simple way to conserve energy and save money on utilities is by turning off the lights when they’re not in use. After all, lighting is one thing in your apartment that steadily uses energy. So, make sure to turn off the lights or use more natural lighting throughout your apartment instead.
You can also switch out lightbulbs to more energy-efficient ones, like LED bulbs. Older lightbulbs consume much more energy than newer LED ones. So not only do they have a longer lifespan but LED lightbulbs are much better for the environment.
Increase Energy Efficiency
Increasing energy efficiency throughout your apartment is a great way to implement a greener lifestyle and save money on bills. Luckily, there are several things you can do to be more energy-efficient. For instance, open your windows instead of using air conditioning in the summertime.
Also, ensure furniture or large items are not blocking outlets or vents, preventing airflow throughout your apartment. Finally, avoid drafts in the winter by sealing off windows and using door draft stoppers. If you need help protecting your rental from drafts, contact your local property management services in Northern Virginia.
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Apartment Living
There are several benefits to eco-friendly apartment living. Not only are you contributing to a healthier planet, but you can also save money. Here are some of the top reasons you should implement an eco-friendly lifestyle today.
- Reduced Cost of Living
- Healthier Lifestyle
- Durable and Sustainable Products
Reduced Cost of Living
Living in an apartment is costly enough, so finding ways to save money and become more eco-friendly is always a plus. You can conserve money and energy by reducing electricity use, using less water, and recycling products. Even in an apartment, you can grow your own food, saving you money and a trip to the grocery store.
Healthier Lifestyle
Living an eco-friendly life is one way to contribute to your health. For example, studies show that exposure to toxic gas can be harmful to your long-term health and can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory problems. As such, using non-toxic products can reduce air pollution and lower your risk of health issues.
Durable and Sustainable Products
Most sustainable products aren’t only eco-friendly but are typically much more durable than one-time-use products. For instance, bamboo furniture is a sustainable resource that can last much longer than hardwood. It’s also easier to maintain and doesn’t require painting or sealing.
Extra Sustainability Tips for Eco-Friendly Apartment Living
Here are a few tips if you’re looking for easy ways to contribute to a healthier lifestyle today.
- Wash full loads of laundry to save water and electricity.
- Take shorter showers or baths instead.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or washing your hands.
- Choose non-toxic, natural cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals.
- Use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic grocery bags.
Help Your Tenants Become Eco-Friendly
If you’re a landlord and want to find ways to make your rentals more eco-friendly, you can take tips from above and implement them as well. Not only will you save your tenants money on utilities, but you’ll also help contribute to a healthier planet.
Managing and maintaining your rentals doesn’t have to be a one-person job. When you hire property management, you don’t have to spend valuable time visiting each rental for maintenance, tenant screening, rent collection, etc. Instead, Professional Property Management of Northern Virginia has you covered. Contact us today if you need rental management services in Northern Virginia.
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