Environmental impact has become a major concern when it comes to urban development and the impact it has on our world. The modern way of living with all its conveniences comes at a cost to the earth with the use of energy and creating harmful byproducts through consumption. This way of life results in a constant flow of carbon emissions, our planet becomes weaker in its protection against the sun.
As individuals, we need to look at ways helping out the earth and lessen your carbon footprint in your everyday life.
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Living in an Apartment provides the advantage that as a tenant, you are not obligated to take responsibility for matters like upkeep, waste disposal and even energy use in communal areas. But this doesn’t mean you can’t make your lifestyle more eco-friendly.
Firstly, before you decide to rent ask whether they use sustainable energy and offer recycling bins on the property. You can also query with your landlord about what cleaning products and light bulbs they use in communal areas. Once you’ve rented a place, the following tips may help you get started with adapting your home life to a green living one.
Here are two of main ways to do so:
How to reduce your carbon footprint
Energy Consumption
Lessening you energy consumption does not only decrease your footprint but energy bills too.
- Turn off appliances you’re not using and remember to unplug them. Unplugging your appliances when they’re not in use can result in energy savings of up to 40 percent for an average household.
- Turning down your central heating by a couple of degrees and using the timer efficiently (it’s a waste to be heating a house after everyone has left for the day)
- Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. They can consume two-thirds less energy and last 10 times longer.
- Reduce your (hot) water usage. Don’t use your dishwasher or washing machine until you’ve accumulated a full load, even if they’re energy efficient.
- Use the cold water setting whenever possible; for example, on items like jeans, delicates and some cotton blends. But make sure to consult the washing instructions to prevent shrinkage or damage to your clothes.
- Defrosting your fridge-freezer regularly to improve their efficiency
- Only boiling as much water as is necessary in your kettle (don’t boil a full kettle for just one cup of tea or coffee)
- Avoiding using a tumble dryer (hang washing over heaters or outside instead)
- Turning off the lights every time you leave a room
Waste and Recycling
Household waste is one of the biggest contributors to our landfills. Here are some ways to shrink your contribution to this.
- Bring a cloth shopping bag when you go to the store. If you have to use plastic bags, bring them back to the store for recycling when you’re finished with them.
- Use water filters and reusable water bottles. Reduce your use of plastic water bottles by installing a water filter on your kitchen faucet and using reusable water bottles.
- Take your old papers, newspaper, glass and plastic to your nearest recycling residence and give them a new lease on life.
- Use your food waste as compost. This will decrease your emissions and increase the beauty of your garden.
It’s that easy
With these easy tips, lessening your carbon footprint will become second nature. While going green might take a bit of getting used to, but if you do it right, you’ll reduce your emissions and save money.
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If you need advice on your eviction case or would like us to represent your case, get in touch with Le Roux Attorneys
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