The way you live is contributing to the destruction of the planet. Everything, from the products you purchase to your bathroom habits, has negative consequences, and it is the environment that suffers.
Knowing your impact is the first step toward saving the Earth. More people are on the journey of reducing their ecological footprint by making major lifestyle changes, whether they are refusing to eat meat or they have quit using products wrapped in plastic.
Adopting an eco-friendly routine is not the easiest thing to do when you live in an apartment. You cannot precisely make major modifications in your home that will reduce your impact. However, even the smallest efforts help the fight against climate change.
Conserving Energy
Switching to renewable sources for electricity is one of the best things you can do for the planet. However, that is not exactly possible if you live in a 1-bedroom apartment with all utilities included. You cannot just install your own solar panel or choose a utility company that provides clean energy.
You have no option but to connect to the grid, which emits greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, but you can control how much energy you consume on a day-to-day basis.
You can make a huge difference that will impact the planet by simply swapping your light bulbs to LEDs. LED is so much more energy-efficient compared to traditional incandescents. It also has a longer lifespan, which means you would not need a new one anytime soon.
Simple actions that conserve energy apply, too. Turn off the lights and all your appliances when not in use. Unplug electrical devices at night.
Composting
Regular households produce a lot of garbage, including food scraps. Every time you cook, where do the peels, cores, seeds, etc. go?
If you are throwing them to the bin, even if they are biodegradable, chances are they are heading straight to a landfill where they will take longer than usual to decompose. Composting is the best way to get rid of food scraps but, when you do not have access to a yard, it can be tricky.
You can still compost in your apartment. All you need is a bin and some earthworms. The process is called vermicomposting. It utilizes the Eisenia fetida, better known as the red wriggler or brandling worm, to turn your garbage to nutrient-rich humus you can use to grow your plants.
You should also check out community gardens. These places typically have composting opportunities for households that do not have a yard. They then use the compost on the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers they take care of.
Stock Your Freezer
Your refrigerator uses energy to keep the food in your freezer frozen. You can help it by packing all your food in there tightly. Every time you open your freezer door, the warm air comes in, and the temperature rises. You want it to drop back down and, if there is not enough space in your freezer, the process would be faster.
You do not have to buy more food. If there is still space in your freezer, you can fill the back with fillers like newspaper or ice bags and then put the food in front.
Put the Lid on Your Pots While Cooking
Keeping the lid on your pot will cook your meals faster. The lid traps the heat, therefore, cutting down the time your food needs to be cooked. The process uses less energy.
Regrow Your Veggies
You do not have to throw away scraps when cooking. Some vegetables can be regrown right on the window sill of your kitchen.
The easiest and most commonly-regrown vegetables are green onions, celery, leeks, and romaine lettuce. These vegetables require only a jar of water that you regularly change, access to sunlight, and patience. With vegetables constantly regrowing in your kitchen, you will have access to healthy food without the carbon footprint associated with growing and transporting it.
Buy Only Secondhand
There is already a lot of furniture out there. Is there a need to produce more?
You do not have to buy new furniture to equip your apartment. You can go to any secondhand or charity store and find used pieces that are in excellent condition. You can also go online, through the Facebook Marketplace of Craiglist, for affordable pre-loved furniture. All you need is a bit of creativity to make secondhand furniture look new again.
Having an eco-friendly lifestyle is not as complicated as it sounds. It does not have to be expensive, either. Simply switching habits that are harmful to the planet to a good one can make a huge difference.
