Consider the everyday ways you can support your corner of the planet – at home in your apartment community!
There are so many ways to support the planet, and you don’t have to wait for April 22 to make it happen.
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As you prepare to celebrate Earth Day, consider the ways you might create positive change for the environment this year right in your own apartment community.
Here’s the dirt on preparing your garden for spring planting.
Early spring can be a time of excitement and release, when the temperatures finally warm up after a long and grueling winter. But if you have a green thumb, early spring might fill you with a sense of dread if you haven’t quite prepared your garden for spring planting. Don’t succumb to garden guilt. Here are five easy tips to get your container or community garden in tip-top shape for the spring planting season.
In the Weeds
If you’ve found that patches of weeds are beginning to grow in your garden, remove them and dispose of them carefully. Pulling or tearing at certain weeds like couch grass causes the roots to spread, so dig them out with a turning fork or trowel. Do not place the weeds in a compost pile, as you won’t want to accidentally spread the seeds around your garden. Once the weeds are clear, do a thorough clean up by removing leaves and other debris from the beds and borders.
In an effort to create a more sustainable Greenville, the city has adopted the Trails & Greenways Master Plan.
Looking for an environmentally-conscious city in South Carolina? Then Greenville might be the right city for you to call home.
As the sixth largest city in South Carolina, Greenville is growing and offers a thriving downtown. With mild winters and gorgeous warm summers, it’s no surprise that many want to call Greenville home.
The name says it all; adapting to the green lifestyle, Greenville was the first city in South Carolina to have an electric car charging station. Currently, Greenville County is home to more than 50 electric vehicle charging stations. It has also adopted the Trails & Greenways Master Plan, which is in place to develop a framework for building an integrated system of bicycle and pedestrian trails. These trails will connect Greenville residents to popular destinations, which will help encourage quality, sustainable growth. This is a part of the plan for a more sustainable Greenville.
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And if you’re searching for a green apartment community to call home in Greenville, you’ll be glad to know you have several options.
Compared to conventional buildings, green buildings typically reduce 24 to 50 percent of their energy use, 40 percent of their water use and 70 percent of solid waste production. The apartment buildings are constructed from recycled materials, including recycled metal, wood and stone. Some apartment communities incorporate energy-efficient light bulbs, Energy Star certified appliances and dual-flush toilets. Living in a green apartment could mean saving money on your utility bills, and you will be living in a healthier environment.
More About Green Living
Recycling Tips for Newbies [Infographic]
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Best Apps for Green Living
Even if you’re not living in one of the green apartment communities in Greenville, you can still adapt to a greener lifestyle. Here are our tips:
Photo credit: iStockphoto/carolinablue
Feel good about giving back to the world at large when you support green living this holiday season.
The holiday season is easily the most consumption-happy time of the year, but it doesn’t have to be that way in your home. This year, make the decision to go green and celebrate the season in an earth-friendly way.
We’ll show you how.
Recycle, repurpose, reuse
Giving new life to something this holiday season is a great way to give back to the environment, too. If you’ve kept reusable wrapping paper or gift bags from last year’s gift-giving, remember to pull them out this year. Or you can make wrapping paper from all kinds of things, like fabric or wallpaper scraps, magazine pages, calendars or newspaper, for instance. (And while you’re unwrapping gifts, be sure to salvage what you can for next holiday season.)
Remember that regifting or giving used items is a perfectly acceptable practice. The recipients on your list will appreciate items given with thought, regardless of whether they are brand new. The collectors and decorators on your list, especially, will appreciate pieces that have known other owners.
Ideally, your holiday season decorations are items that you use year after year. But if you need to replace them, see whether you can find some quality second-hand pieces with a lot of life left in them. Or swap decorations with friends for variety, and enjoy each other’s good taste!
Share earth-friendly gifts
Sometimes giving a gift that’s not a “thing” at all is the greenest option. Donate to your recipient’s favorite charity, plant a tree in someone’s name or sponsor a wild place with the Sierra Club.
You can also make a gift of your time. Get creative and make your own certificate, entitling the bearer to a dinner out, an afternoon in the park together or a special meal prepared by you.
Stay energy smart
Another great way to create a green holiday is to cut down on the energy you use. Look for energy-saving strings of bright LED lights, instead of traditional bulbs. You can also put your outdoor lights on a timer so that they’re on only for certain hours, rather than all night.
Inside the house, set your thermostat as low as you can comfortably stand it, and be willing to wear a sweater. Make sure that lights aren’t left on in rooms that you aren’t using, and that doors and windows are weather-stripped to block drafts. Keeping cold air out and warm air in will help cut down on your heating bills.
Feast on green
Choosing local foods for your feasting this holiday season is another great way to go green. If possible, look for products from small, sustainable farms and meats from animals raised without hormones or antibiotics. You could also take this opportunity to focus on healthier eating for your get-togethers by limiting sweets, high-carb dishes and foods with preservatives, replacing them with lighter, more wholesome choices.
This holiday season, go green by making choices that are good for the environment and, in many cases, for your wallet. With a focus on reusing items, limiting waste and supporting green initiatives, you can feel good about giving back to the world at large while giving to the loved ones on your list.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Nattika
Did you know that green buildings typically reduce 24 to 50 percent of their energy use, 40 percent of their water use, and reduce solid waste production by 70 percent compared to conventional buildings?
The 2011 Green Business Challenge – the first program of its kind on the West Coast – was created to help tenants in the Port of San Diego reduce their environmental impact in the areas of energy, water, waste, air, sustainable business practices and sustainable development. Participating businesses ranged from large industrial and maritime tenants to hotels, restaurants and small businesses.
80 percent of businesses participating in the challenge increased their efficiency of heating, cooling and ventilation systems, while 41 percent implemented energy upgrades such as upgrading air compressors and salt water pumps or installing solar-powered dock signage.
While the Green Business Challenge helped many existing Port tenants improve their green practices, some businesses in San Diego are entirely built around green concepts.
Seabreeze Organic Farm is nestled on a mountainside in Carmel Valley, and supports the surrounding San Diego community with its farmers market and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. The farm is open to the public and offers tours as well as educational classes on a variety of farm-related topics including cheese-making.
The idea behind Community Supported Agriculture dates back to Thomas Jefferson’s concept of regionalism, or the belief that a viable community must also be self-sustaining. Seabreeze Organic Farm maintains a relationship with the local community to find out how many crops to plant and when to change crops based on the needs of customers. As a result, customers who place orders with the farm can enjoy fresh, seasonal products free from chemicals or genetic modification. They get to know their farmers and also help support biodiversity, clean air and a sense of social responsibility.
Where: 3909 Arroyo Sorrento Road, San Diego, CA 92130
Visitors to Ecobaby Organics in San Diego will find everything they need to furnish a new baby’s home with 100% organic materials. With over 17 years in business, Ecobaby also guarantees the purity and quality of their organic textiles used in products available for babies, pets and general home décor.
Both the online store and San Diego showroom have a variety of organic mattresses, bedding, pillows, blankets, clothing, diapers and toys for sale – all of which are tested yearly at a third party lab. Ecobaby’s commitment to 100 percent organic materials means that they allow zero formaldehydes, toluene or phenols in their products.
Where: 9541 Ridgehaven Court, San Diego, CA 92123
Harsh chemicals are also off-limits at one of San Diego’s top cleaning services, Pure Cleaning Agency. This domestic referral agency works with experienced cleaning providers who use all natural, non-toxic cleaning products that are safe for the environment, for the providers, and for household family members and pets. Both home-owners and apartment-dwellers in San Diego can contact Pure Cleaning Agency for residential green cleaning services such as vacancy cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning, deep cleaning, regular housekeeping and carpet cleaning. Their website also offers eco-friendly tips to clean your home with natural ingredients like vinegar and salt.
Where: 3525 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Over the last two years, San Diego has made a noble commitment to attract and promote green businesses. Today, residents enjoy a wide range of green product and service options that keep their communities clean and energy-efficient.
Photo credit: iStockphoto/aluxum
Did you know that kitty litter and egg cartons can be recycled into paper? Or how about old trophies, motor oil and cell phones can be recycled with your newspapers, plastic bottles and soda cans? Whether you’re new to recycling or know the difference between No. 1 and No. 6 plastics, this useful guide is a helpful reminder of what can be recycled to help you go green.
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By using these free smartphone applications, you’ll be able to reduce your environmental impact with just a few taps of the screen.
If this season’s colorful foliage has prompted you to make a few changes of your own, start by turning over a new leaf—a “green” one! Adding green practices into your daily routine isn’t as difficult as you might think. By using the following free smartphone applications, you’ll be able to reduce your environmental impact with just a few taps of the screen.
For the iPhone
Green You – ITAnyplace
Grab this application to find out just how green you are. Then learn how you can make small lifestyle adjustments to decrease your carbon footprint. Start by completing the app’s short survey to help analyze your habits—from driving to eating to purchasing—and their potential environmental consequences. This information will help calculate your baseline carbon footprint. Then you can use the app to see how you can reduce your footprint and customize a plan to limit your future impact on the environment.
Locavore – Hevva Corp.
Locavore uses your mobile device’s GPS feature to find out which foods are currently in season near you. Eating locally-grown food when it’s in season is a great way to deliver vital nutrients to your body while they are still fresh and haven’t been removed in preparation for long-term storage or shipment. Eating locally also helps boost your local economy and eases pollution caused by transporting food long distances. Use Locavore to find local farmers markets and farms that sell your favorite foods. A collection of delicious seasonal recipes is also available, and you can even share your discoveries on Facebook.
iRecycle – Earth911, Inc.
If your apartment complex offers a recycling service with a handy guide to explain which waste items are recyclable, you’re in luck! But those of us living in environmentally-challenged communities may struggle to decode the meaning of symbols and numbers printed on recyclable products, or worse—we may not even take the time to find out. But with the free iRecycle app, you will find more than 300 different recyclable materials divided into simple categories for quick reference. Soon you’ll be sorting like a pro!
For Android
Go Green – Webworks and Applications Inc.
Want to see your green skills sprout? If you’re new to the world of green living, this app is for you. Each time you launch Go Green, you will receive a new eco-friendly tip. Learn which household products are better for the environment and how to conserve energy. Watch your “green” status grow as you earn more tips.
Natural Beauty Recipe – Kiumiu Soft
Both men and women use beauty or grooming products every day that can harm the environment. Residue from soaps, hairsprays, gels and other products mix with our water supply and artificial ingredients may actually cause harm to your body after long-term use. Why not take care of your skin and hair with 100 percent natural ingredients? It’s easy with Natural Beauty Recipe’s suggested blends of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that can be found at your local market. Once you find your favorite recipes, you can share them with your friends or even submit your own mixtures. Here’s an added bonus—any mistakes or leftovers can be eaten!
Photo credit: iStockphoto/PashaIgnatov
Create a safer environment for you and your family by using green and eco-friendly cleaning products.
Kermit the Frog got it right. With all the dangerous, corrosive and effective cleaning chemicals on the market, it really isn’t easy being green. But it doesn’t have to be impossible. With just a few modifications, you can create a safer environment for you and your family while saving money and protecting the environment. These eco-friendly cleaning products are safe, affordable alternatives to all the dangerous chemicals stored under your sink.
Remove toxic products. The first step to clean, green living is to get rid of all the toxic chemicals stored in your home. Check with your local recycling center for safe, environmentally friendly ways to do this.
Reuse when possible. Instead of using abrasive throwaway scouring pads full of harmful cleaning agents, look for things you can use more than once or twice. Mops, sponges, washcloths and paper towels made from recycled paper will get the job done without filling the landfill.
Look for natural alternatives. There are several great all-natural alternatives to harsh chemical cleaners. Here are a few of the most basic:
Make your own disinfectant. Many essential oils, such as clove, lavender and tea tree oil—a natural fungicide—and grapefruit seed extract, are very good at killing household germs. To make your own disinfectant, add one teaspoon of essential oil to two cups of water in a spray bottle. You can make a spray from grapefruit seed extract by adding 20 drops of extract to a quart of water. Be sure to keep all homemade cleaning products clearly labeled and out of the reach of children.
Liquid Soap or Detergent? Soaps and detergents are necessary for cutting grease, but they are not the same thing. Soaps are made from fats and lye, while detergents are made from chemicals designed to not react with hard water and create soap scum. If you have hard water, buy perfume-free biodegradable detergent. If you have soft water, purchase liquid soap.
Green living doesn’t have to be a chore. By following these tips you can have a cleaner, healthier home in no time.
Photo credit: iStockphoto/diane555
Although your appliances are turned off, they can still draw power and raise your energy bill. Leave sticky notes to remind yourself to turn off appliances and you can use the money you save toward groceries, a plane ticket or a new smartphone.
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If you want to make your apartment or yard more beautiful with plants, garden stores in Indianapolis can help.
Just because the summer is almost over doesn’t mean you have to hang up the garden tools just yet. Late summer provides the perfect backdrop for planting fall-harvest vegetables, such as butternut squash, snap beans, cabbage, broccoli, kale and cauliflower, as well as late-harvest tomatoes and bell peppers. And don’t forget about planting late-summer flowers to replace those dried-up spring plantings; look for asters, salvia, goldenrod and certain varietals of daisies. Whether you never got around to planting in the spring or it’s just time to swap out for the fall, dig in and discover the best garden stores in Indianapolis below to get your yard or garden in shape in no time.
Fusek’s True Value
What: Even though True Value is a chain, stores are independently owned and operated. The 10,000 square foot Fusek’s True Value has been around since 2004, when downtown Indianapolis went through a revitalization. The sturdy brick building feels like the sort of place you’d look for shovels, rakes and fertilizer, but the service inside is what makes the business rock-solid. Plus, the store’s smaller size and great selection mean you can easily find what you’re looking for.
Where: 350 E. New York St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Sullivan Hardware & Garden
What: It’s the little things at Sullivan Hardware & Garden that keep customers coming back for more, from the flower selection to the seasonal open houses to the free popcorn, the smell of which wafts temptingly throughout the store as you shop. Sales are frequent, and you can find out more about them, as well as the open houses (with free beer!) ahead of time by signing up for Sullivan’s email list.
Where: 6955 N. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46220
Paradise Landscape & Nursery
What: Big-name nurseries and home improvement stores may have large quantities of the same types of plants, but Paradise has a more extensive selection of plant varieties. Its offerings also include residential and commercial landscaping services, for those who aren’t sure where to begin, and a “like” for Paradise’s Facebook page ensures you’re receiving top-notch seasonal plant information with a side of humor.
Where: 11348 Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis, IN 46236
The Garden Center
What: The Garden Center grows nearly half of the non-nursery stock plants they sell, so if you’re not sure how to care for a plant you purchased, they likely have hands-on experience with making sure a plant reaches its full potential. With more than 1,000 varieties of seed and a gift shop, as well as a wide selection of bulbs, foliage, annuals, vegetables, hanging baskets, perennials, bird supplies, herbs, tools and garden accessories, The Garden Center is a one-stop gardening shop for those times when you do need a big garden store.
Where: 3205 W. 71st St., Indianapolis, IN 46268
Photo Credit: iStockphoto/kali9