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.
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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:
- Turn off the lights. Get into the habit of turning off the lights and television when exiting a room. Additionally, close the refrigerator door. We tend to open the fridge and stare blankly at its contents, but we’re just wasting energy.
- Conserve water. Installing low-flush toilets might not be OK in your lease agreement. Instead, fill a milk jug with stones and place it in your toilet tank to displace water and use less to fill the tank. Spending less time in the shower will also help conserve water, as well as turning off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth. Avoid using hot water when doing your laundry, and only run the dishwasher when you have a full load.
- Grow a garden. Use your porch or balcony to your advantage. Add a couple of window boxes to your porch, and grow herbs and vegetables.
- Add houseplants. Houseplants are easy to take care of, and they also act as natural air filters for your home. Use this list of best houseplants for your apartment as a guide.
- Check your air filters. Check all appliances in your apartment that have filters, and be sure to replace the filters on a regular basis. This will help your appliance run cleaner and use less energy.
- Open windows. Turn off your central heat and air, and use doors and windows to let in sunshine and fresh air. Additionally, turn your thermostat down one degree in the winter and raise it one degree in the summer, which can reduce your energy costs by almost 5 percent.
Photo credit: iStockphoto/carolinablue
