Hello World! Welcome Friends! Various daily, typical activities and habits harm the environment more than you think.
Using plastic and paper excessively, throwing leftovers or expired food, keeping electronics plugged in or turned on 24/7, and flushing the toilet several times every day are some of the usual activities constantly hurting and slowly killing the environment.
Letting go of these habits and adopting new ones will allow you to help conserve natural resources and reduce waste that contributes to pollution and climate change.
Sustainable Apartment Living
If you want to be more earth-conscious and create a positive environmental impact, start right from your home. It may seem difficult at first; but really, there’s nothing to it. You have several options for you to start living sustainably right away.
Living in one of the top apartments for rent in Marsa Plaza is a great way to start being more eco-friendly. The reason for this is that newer apartments usually have sustainable building designs. Additionally, they have energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and built-in appliances.
Also, living in an apartment means fewer property maintenance requirements. You’ll vacuum and clean less, which translates to a reduction in your use of electricity and cleaning materials and supplies. It also eliminates the need to water a garden and lawn, thereby reducing your amount of water usage.
Additionally, apartment buildings are strategically located. As such, your home will be near the best schools in Dubai.
For instance, if you live in Dubai Festival City, your apartment will be near Deira International School and Universal American School, two prestigious educational institutions where your children can study.
Enrolling in either institution means walking your children to or letting them walk to their school every day instead of driving your car or taking public transportation. This allows you to reduce your carbon emissions.
Aside from choosing the right apartment to live in, below are six practices you can start following to live more sustainably and help the environment:
1. Conserve Electricity
The generation, transmission, and use of electricity affect the environment.
Reducing your electricity usage, therefore, is a crucial part of living sustainably in your apartment.
Below are specific tips for saving energy in your home:
- Turn off all lights when they are not in use.
- Switch to LED lights since they are more energy-efficient.
- Unplug electronics and other devices (including chargers) when not using them.
- Use sheer curtains or open window coverings during the day to brighten your home.
- Turn up your AC a few notches and let an electric fan run along with it to cool your home or room.
2. Reduce your Water Consumption
Although the earth is made up of nearly 70% water, it doesn’t mean that there is an unlimited supply of clean water.
As such, conserving water is a practice you need to start doing immediately and daily. You can do this by:
- Turning off taps when not in use.
- Taking shorter showers.
- Using water-efficient shower heads and washing machines.
- Having broken pipes and leaking faucets fixed immediately.
- Checking the toilet flapper and replacing it with one in the correct size to save water whenever you flush.
3. Follow the 3Rs
Reuse, reduce, and recycle or the 3Rs are concepts that everyone knows about, including young children.
Following these ensures a sustainable way of living whether you are staying in an apartment or detached house.
Here are some tips for adopting the 3Rs in your home:
- Reduce consumption. This means buying reusable water bottles and tote bags instead of single-use plastics.
- Segregate. Separate recyclable items, such as bottles, cans, and paper from liquid or solid household and green waste. Make sure you have different rubbish bins for each type.
- Use a recycling system. Find a recycling centre and schedule the times you should bring your recyclables there every week or month.
- Reuse old items. Use old glass or mason jars for storing various knickknacks. You can also try up-cycling old clothes as decorative pieces or down-cycling them into rags.
4. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Using natural, environmentally friendly cleaning products also allows you to live more sustainably in an apartment.
Look for eco-friendly cleaning products with natural ingredients when shopping. Choose ones with no or few harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your health and the environment.
Another option is to make your own natural cleaning products. Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are just some of the ingredients you need to create these eco-friendly and effective household cleaning agents.
5. Choose your Furniture Wisely
Whenever possible, buy furniture pieces made of sustainable materials such as bamboo, glass, metal, and stone.
These materials do not contribute to deforestation, one of the biggest and most worrisome environmental problems today.
Additionally, hardwood furnishings are coated with chemicals containing volatile organic compounds or VOCs, which are harmful to your health.
Another option is to look for furniture pieces certified by the First Stewardship Council or FSC, an international non-profit organization that promotes the responsible management of forests around the world.
The FSC has a set of principles that ensures maximum transparency and responsibility in the use of wooden materials. The organization also regulates the use of pesticides and other illegal chemicals.
FSC-certified furniture pieces are those that are made with sustainably sourced and responsibly harvested wood. Some products are also manufactured using alternative products like soy-based foams and recycled textiles.
Lastly, consider buying second-hand furnishings. Whether you’re looking for more affordable furniture or antique centerpieces, this option prevents trees from being felled and reduces your carbon footprint.
6. Decorate your Apartment with Natural Plants
Many conventional synthetic décor items also release VOCs that build up even more in small spaces. As mentioned, these substances are toxic and dangerous to your health. They also contribute to air pollution. As such, try to use fewer synthetic items as decorations and opt for natural ones.
Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping make the air in your home cleaner. They can also absorb harmful chemicals and give off harmless by-products. Because of these reasons, it’s a great practice to grow more plants in your home.
You can cultivate plants individually in pots. Another option is to grow two or three varieties in large containers to create small gardens.
You can also use the available vertical space in your apartment by using hanging or wall planters.
Aside from growing the usual hardy plants that are easy to cultivate indoors, such as aloe vera, pothos, and philodendron green, you can also plant herbs useful for cooking.
Some people think living sustainably is tough. It doesn’t have to be.
With these easy-to-apply practices and tips, you can have a sustainable and healthier lifestyle in your apartment.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Preparing For a Home Celebration
Make Life Easier During Your Home Renovations
Marketing Strategies for a Plumbing Business
Decorate Your Home to the Latest Trends
Useful Tips for Upgrading your Kitchen
How to Make the Most Out of Your Garage
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
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