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.
Get your walk on in these cities ranked the most pedestrian-friendly by WalkScore.com.
WalkScore.com has ranked the walkability of the 50 largest U.S. cities. The organization bases its findings on population and ease of access to amenities such as grocery stores, shopping centers, movie theaters, and many other destinations on foot.
Take an online walk-about of the 10 cities deemed the most walkable in the United States.
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:
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Arrange seating away from windows and doors during the winter to stay warmer while avoiding turning the thermostat up.
Do the Electric Slide
No, we’re not talking about the world-famous dance move. We’re talking about the energy you can save by keeping the heat generated by electric appliances inside your home. Much of the heat that is produced by computers, televisions, stereos and lamps can be lost to the outside if these appliances are placed next to a window or an exterior wall. So make the best use of that extra heat by hanging your LCD TV on an interior wall away from a window and make sure to move your computer, stereo and lamps away from exterior walls to conserve energy.
Last Draft
You may think it’s a good idea to place chairs, sofas and loveseats next to windows and doors to take advantage of the view, but this plan can backfire during the winter, as guests sitting next to a window will likely feel a cold draft. This means that you may turn the thermostat up higher than necessary to overcompensate for those cold spots, when the rest of the apartment is heated to a comfortable temperature. So arrange seating away from windows and doors during the winter to stay warmer while avoiding turning the thermostat up.
Clear Up Ducts and Vents
Be mindful of where you place a couch, bed, chair or other large furniture and make sure it’s not over a heating vent. The furniture will absorb some of the heat while slowing the flow of heat to the room or blocking it completely, making the heater work harder to compensate for the lost heat, a mistake you’ll pay for on your power bill. Even a misplaced rug can cause the heater to run sluggishly. The same applies for return air ducts, which are often located high up on a wall. Make sure not to cover up the return air duct with a bookcase or a painting.
Shut Up
While the health and well-being benefits of natural light and solar heat can’t be disputed, it’s actually better to keep blinds drawn and curtains shut on cold, dreary winter days. Doing so will help keep some of the heat inside your apartment, meaning you’ll have to run the heater less.
Double Duty Décor
You’d be surprised which household items have insulation value, however minimal. Hanging a large quilt or tapestry on your wall can help save energy, especially if it is on an exterior wall. Tall bookcases filled with books or magazines, if placed against an outside wall, can keep heat inside your home while preventing the cold from creeping in. Even large picture frames can slow the transmission of heat through exterior walls, so beef up your décor sense during the winter and you’ll see dramatic energy savings.
Photo credit: iStockphoto/phototropic
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.
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Growing support for green business in Sacramento may also mean more jobs for the city’s residents.
The fast-growing green business industry has been attracting a lot of attention, and the spotlight is on Sacramento. California’s capital city is a hub for earth-friendly companies. With a state-wide focus on limiting emissions, Sacramento is leading the way by supporting green businesses and creating new green jobs.
Why so green?
Sacramento is known for becoming one of the greenest cities in the world thanks in part to legislation that requires utility companies to get one-third of their electric energy from renewable resources by 2020. Several utility providers are already nearing this goal, with major provider Sacramento Municipal Utility District already sourcing about 25 percent of its power from renewable sources.
But it’s not just energy companies in Sacramento that are going green. There’s a growing green-tech sector in Sacramento, as well, and even small businesses are adopting environmentally-conscious practices.
Characteristics of a green business
In Sacramento, companies that get a certification from the Green Business Bureau enjoy a reduction in operating costs and a reputation as a company that cares. Besides reducing their carbon footprint by relying on renewable energy sources, these businesses may also engage in sustainable business practices like recycling, using eco-friendly packaging materials and bags, or contributing a portion of their profits to charities which work to protect the environment.
For consumers, supporting these businesses means supporting companies which are actively trying to lower pollution and leave the world a better place. It also means strengthening the local economy, as green businesses typically source materials and labor locally.
More upside for residents
Supporting Sacramento’s green businesses may also mean more jobs for residents. Between 1995 and 2008, Sacramento led the state of California in green job growth to the tune of 87 percent. During that time, green jobs in Sacramento grew at three times the rate of all jobs created in California—and they continued to grow even during the recession. As entrepreneurs capitalize on California’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses, you can likely expect to see green job growth continue to take off.
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This year, change things up with your Christmas wreath and use our suggestions as inspiration.
We’ve already learned how to make fall wreaths, but now it’s time to tackle wreaths for the winter season and for Christmas. Get creative and spruce up your front door by gathering materials from your own yard, upcycling materials and thinking outside of the round wreath. Grab your hot glue gun and use our suggestions below to create a beautiful wreath this season.
Woodsy Wreath
This eco-friendly design brings in elements of nature but still has a clean look and feel that will be a great addition to your front door or the fireplace. From the crafts store, purchase a 16 inch grapevine wreath and approximately 10 artificial small Granny Smith apples. Go through the floral section and select an assortment of seasonal flora. You can also head to your backyard and scoop up pinecones. Using a hot glue gun, affix the apples to the wreath, spacing them equally around the ring. Next, weave the flora into the grapevine, filling in the areas between the apples. If using pine cones, hot glue them to the wreath.
Upcycled Wreath
This wreath is an easy way to get a beautiful wreath while being environmentally friendly. Cut holly shapes (using a holly stencil) out of old holiday greeting cards to upcycle old materials. Use a hot glue gun to attach a toothpick onto the backside of each holly leaf to form a 1 inch pick at the bottom of each leaf. Insert the picks into a 10-inch Styrofoam wreath, and repeat until the wreath is covered. Fan and overlap the leaves to create a full-looking wreath.
Pine Cone Cluster/Wreath
To create a more nontraditional “wreath,” use this idea to spice up your décor during the winter. Head out to your backyard and collect three, five or seven pine cones. Pick a ribbon that matches your holiday décor and is approximately 2 inches wide, and cut out strips of varying lengths (6, 8, 10 and 12 inches). Next, hot glue the ribbon to the base of each pine cone. Once the glue is dry, gather the top of the ribbon and tie a bow. Attach to a wreath hanger to hang on your front door.
Monogram Wreath
Similar to the pine cone cluster, your holiday wreath does not have to be round. Purchase an MDF letter, holly berries and burlap garland or ribbon from your local craft store. Use your hot glue gun to attach the holly berries to the MDF letter, carefully filling in all of the spaces. Tie your ribbon or burlap around the top of your monogram, and hook it onto your door using a wreath hanger. Some letters may be complicated, so consider using hot glue or a staple gun to attach the ribbon to the back of the letter.
Wood Flower Wreath
You’re probably wondering how wood would work in a wreath. For this wreath, use tapioca wood flowers, which will help create a beautiful wreath this season and will last you for years. Attach tapioca wood flowers of varying sizes to a wreath form, placing the flowers as close as possible to each other. Stagger the size of flowers to create a more visually appealing wreath. Tie a bow in the ribbon and glue the center of the ribbon to the back of the wreath. Hang the bow on a wreath hanger on your door.
Photo Credit: iStockphoto/Riorita
Wrap a Christmas present in brown craft paper and simple twine for a cheap and green alternative to expensive wrapping paper.
Wrapping presents during the holiday season makes gift-giving more special and personalized, but if you have a number of people to purchase gifts for, it may not be within your budget to splurge on fancy, seasonal gift wrap, ribbons, bows or other decorative wrapping accessories. Luckily, there are many budget- and eco-friendly ways to wrap gifts using everyday items you might have laying around your apartment. You’ll save money, and your friends and family will appreciate your thoughtfulness and creativity.
Newspaper
Wrapping gifts with newspaper is probably the easiest and cheapest way to wrap presents. Choose the Sunday comics or a similarly brightly-colored page, pair it with some inexpensive twine and you have an eco-friendly wrapping solution.
Craft Scraps
If you’re a crafty person or someone who enjoys home decoration projects, chances are you might have scraps of fabric or wallpaper just laying around your apartment. Turn those scraps into something fabulous by repurposing them. Fabric or cloth swatches are great for wrapping up oddly shaped gifts, while you can coordinate old wallpaper leftovers to match up with the theme of your present.
Maps
Generally printed on sturdy paper meant to last a long time, maps are a colorful, unique, budget-friendly alternative to more expensive gift wrap. Head to the nearest tourist center and pick up several for free, or rummage through your glove compartment or basement for old maps that you haven’t used in a while.
Brown Paper Goods
Turn up the shabby chic factor this holiday by wrapping gifts in plain brown kraft paper and tying the gifts with simple twine. Or, use paper bags as DIY gift bags. Add a pretty, colorful ribbon as a finishing touch.
Printable Gift Wrap
Many websites like gift-wrapit.com and familyshoppingbag.com offer free wrapping paper that you can print from your computer onto regular paper or cardstock using any printer. Simply type “printable wrapping paper” into your Internet browser, select the pattern you like best and print away.
DIY Bows
Instead of spending money on a bag of gift bows that will just end up getting thrown out, it’s surprisingly easy to make your own gift bows out of old magazines that you have laying around the apartment. To get started, you’ll need a page per bow and some double-sided tape. Cut the page lengthwise into nine ¾-inch-thick strips at the following heights: three at 11 inches, three at 10 inches, two at nine inches and one at 3 ½ inches. Twist each strip to form loops at both ends, making a circle out of the smallest. Secure the ends with a piece of double-sided tape. Layer and stick the strips together, starting with the longest. End with the circle in the center.
Photo credit: iStockphoto/KristianSeptimiusKrogh
Go green when you move with an environmentally-friendly focus in mind.
Everything from cleaning up your pad to packing up boxes can have an effect – larger or smaller — on the planet. Green moving means being a bit more conscious of how the choices you make during a move impact the environment.
These tips will show you how you can plan an earth-friendly move whether you move yourself or hire professionals for the job.
DIY green moving
The good news about a DIY green move is that making environmentally-conscious choices doesn’t have to make a big dent in your wallet. In fact, following some of these suggestions may even save you money.
Professional green movers
Earth-friendly professional movers employ many of these same practices. They may also recycle boxes for their customers or use plastic crates, rely on bio fuel vehicles, use packing blankets made from recycled materials and employ other sustainable business practices. Read about California-based Go Green Moving, as an example.
Even if you don’t have a specifically green mover in your area, you can always ask a professional mover to employ as many green moving practices as they can. You’ll be supporting the demand for earth-friendly moving practices, while reducing the impact of your move on the environment.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Pincasso