Amidst global warming, pollution, and natural habitat destruction, you may be more inclined that ever to help the environment.
Sustainable living on an individual level will be critical if we are going to make a difference collectively. As a bonus, you might save yourself a ton of money in energy bills! Here are some ways you can reduce your carbon footprint living in an apartment:
Change your light bulbs. Switch out your old lights for energy efficient bulbs. If you have no idea what that looks like, head over to your local hardware store and ask someone to help you pick them out. Light bulbs are inexpensive and will save you a lot of money in the long-run.
Weather-proof your doors and windows. Cold air seeps in through the tiny little cracks in your doors and windows during the winter, making your house colder than it should be. Your heater uses more energy to warm the apartment as a result. Simply install a thin adhesive strip along cracks to prevent cold air from coming in. These strips are relatively affordable and easy to find online.
Lower your water consumption. There are many ways this can be done. If you’re willing to put in the work, you can buy and install a low-flowing shower head. Some of these shower heads even include an automatic switch that lowers the water flow even more after a few minutes. Another option is to use your dishwasher less often. Limit your use to only when you can completely fill it up with dishes, and just hand wash your dishes when there are only a few.
Reduce, reuse, recycle. You’ve probably heard these words so many times you are sick of them, but they’re more important now than ever before. Reduce your energy consumption by unplugging electronics and hitting the lights whenever they are not in use. Reuse products whenever you can. Invest in a reusable water bottle and stop buying plastic. Many campuses have filtered water stations for this purpose. If you find yourself with a disposable container, be sure it goes in the proper bin. Recycle plastic, glass, paper and cans as much as possible.
Sign up with OhmConnect. OhmConnect is a great service that will help you save energy and earn money on the side. It works by alerting you at least once a week when energy companies are using dirty power plants. You turn off all the lights and electronics that you can for one hour, and they give you points based on how much you saved! All you have to do is connect with your energy company.
Walk, Bike, or Carpool. Don’t take your car out if you don’t need to. Catch a ride with your friend or a roommate. If you can walk or bike somewhere, do that instead and get some exercise. You’ll save on gas and make your footprint just that much smaller.
These are just some of the ways you can do your part to save energy and reduce your footprint. It may not seem like a lot, but if everyone changed little habits, the planet would be much better off.
About the Author: Aniqa Chowdhury is a third-year Communications major at San Diego State University with a growing passion for creative writing. Aside from writing, she also enjoys taking public speaking classes and reading fiction novels. Her hope is to work in the entertainment industry when she graduates.
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