Going Green
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Going Green

Tips and tricks on how to make your apartment more eco-friendly.

515
Going Green
spiritualityhealth.com

Let's be honest, we can all afford to be a little greener. After all, the Earth already provides so many services for us, such as clean water, air, food and scenery. I'm not saying to go out and live self-sustainably in the woods, but making small changes can make the biggest difference in the long run. So, here are some ideas to make your apartment/dorm/home more green.


1. Non-toxic cleaning supplies.

It is very common to find VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) in household cleaning products. VOCs are a large group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), VOCs highly contribute to smog and air pollution within households. Switching to VOC-free products will provide a cleaner and healthier environment.


2. Purchase a few air-filtration plants.


Some of these plants can filter out toxic chemicals from the air, such as formaldehyde and ammonia. Studies show that more plants within your living space can help reduce stress and increase productivity.


3. Buy a reusable water bottle.

Reusable water bottles saves consumers almost $1,400 every year. They also keep four out of five water bottles out of the landfills. They can also inspire you to drink more water with bright, fun colors that appeal to they and say, "Hey! I should drink more water."


4. Buy a water-saving shower head.

Conserving water has in the past decade become a national movement, with the Environmental Protection Agency campaigning for more conservative water usage and encouraging the use of low-flow shower heads through the WaterSense program. The average household could save thousands of gallons per year by installing one, which is great when you're living in an apartment and need to save a few bucks for rent.


5. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with LEDs.

LED light bulbs last longer and use 90 percent less energy in comparison to incandescent light bulbs. Which means another few bucks saved at the end of the month. And using the money saved in not using as much electricity means that you can purchase more LED light bulbs.


6. Purchase some reusable bags.


Once a plastic bag is thrown into a landfill it can take up to 1,000 years to degrade. And what makes it worse is that plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photo-degrade, which means that they break down into tiny toxic pieces, which can poison local water supplies and ecosystems. One reusable bag can replace hundreds or even thousands of single-use plastic bags over the course of its lifetime.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55248
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35599
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957659
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

185224
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments