You are responsible for the production of carbon emissions whether or not you drive. Many of the products you use on a daily basis create harmful chemicals when they’re made or use a lot of energy. But you can reduce your energy consumption and go green by giving up these items for good:
1. Incandescent Light Bulbs
No disrespect to Thomas Edison, but the incandescent light bulb is inefficient. Even though more than 100 years have passed since its invention, this light bulb is still used in people’s homes. It’s about time modern society used an improved version of his upgrades—and it already exists!
[Home Lighting Tips for Your Apartment]
Reduce your carbon emissions by buying efficient light bulbs. Both LED lights and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are great options.
CFLs last more than 10 times as long as incandescent bulbs and produce less heat. Incandescent bulbs are ineffective because much of their energy output is converted to heat rather than light. LED lights are even more efficient, lasting nearly 40 times as long as incandescent bulbs!
2. Chemical Cleaners
While you have to clean your apartment, you don’t have to use chemical-based products to do it. Natural cleaners are a more eco-friendly option that are also good for your health. Chemical cleaners produce toxic vapors, can irritate your skin and eyes, contribute to air pollution and may even come packaged in environmentally harmful bottles.
Keep your apartment and health safe by switching to natural cleaners packaged in recycled receptacles. For example, some glass cleaners are made from vinegar and come in a plant-based squirt bottle. Read the labels carefully or find home solutions (baking soda can work wonders!).
3. Bottled Water
You don’t need to pay for your water. Most of the tap water in the U.S. is safe to drink, and is even more heavily regulated than bottled water. Producing plastic bottles burns harmful fossil fuels and those bottles just sit in landfills. Give up bottled water to reduce your carbon emissions.
If you don’t like the taste of tap, add a squeeze of lemon. Eventually, you’ll get used to the flavor. You can also buy a filter to keep in your apartment. Purchase a reusable water bottle and fill it up with your filtered agua.
4. Out-of-Season Produce
Much of the produce you buy probably comes from another country or region. It has to be shipped here (wasting fuel) so consumers can have strawberries in December and squash in July.
Rather than promoting this wasteful cycle, buy produce that is in season and grown locally. Attend a farmers market, buy in the local section at your grocery store or start an apartment garden. You can also find cookbooks devoted to seasonal cooking.
5. Commuting
The Internet is a great invention for a lot of reasons, including the fact that it shrinks the world. Basically, you can video chat with a person living across the globe with ease. Put this to good use by telecommuting.
[How to Work From Home Like a Pro]
If your company allows it, work from home and call in for meetings. You won’t need to use gas to travel and you get to sit in the comfort of your apartment.
