Apartment Hacks for Sustainable Living: Easy Tips for Eco-Friendly Spaces
Published: 11/25/24
Updated: 01/09/25
Creating a sustainable home doesn’t have to be complicated—even in the heart of a city. While Veris Residential ensures our communities incorporate green initiatives and eco-friendly features, residents can amplify these efforts through simple daily choice. Not sure how to make an apartment sustainable in the midst of a concrete jungle? No worries! We want to take this chance to share some easy tips for making your home eco-friendly.
Energy-Smart Living Reduction
Small changes in how we use everyday appliances can significantly reduce our environmental impact:
- Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms
- Maintain moderate temperature settings
- Use appliances efficiently
- Close refrigerator doors promptly
- Unplug devices when not in use
Did you know? LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and can last 25 times longer.
Eco-Friendly Home Design
To keep our environment healthy, Veris always ensures the finishes and fixtures in our communities are ethically and sustainably sourced. We recommend you do the same when decorating!
Instead of a room full of plastic and chemicals, check out these options for sustainable home decor.
- Choose sustainable materials like bamboo, cork, and recycled metals
- Explore secondhand furniture options
- Incorporate air-purifying plants
- Select products from ethically sourced brands
- Use natural or recycled textiles
Did you know? Indoor plants can remove up to 87% of air toxins within 24 hours while adding natural beauty to your space.
Natural Cleaning Products
Here’s a simple one! Instead of buying from your usual brand, try a cleaning product made from naturally sourced ingredients such as baking soda, lemon or vinegar. While not all eco-friendly cleaners are natural, those that have no artificial ingredients last longer, aren’t corrosive and aren’t harmful to people or pets.
Indoor Garden
We at Veris have incorporated hydroponic farms into a few of our communities, but don’t let that discourage you from growing your own food too! Growing our own gardens reduces greenhouse gases from food transportation while helping insects like bees by giving them a healthy habitat, lowering the demand for pesticides and reducing water waste from irrigation systems!
We recommend Gardyn, an in-home hydroponic system! Veris residents can unlock a special discount through the myVeris app.
Try to Compost
Composting is the process of breaking down organic materials into nutrient-rich fertilizer, and we’re pleased to offer composting facilities at select communities.
According to the EPA, composting requires four components: carbon-rich materials (“browns”), nitrogen-rich materials (“greens”), water and air. Browns can include fruit and vegetable scraps, crushed eggshells, paper tea bags and coffee grounds with filters. Greens can include dry leaves, shredded cardboard, white paper and plant stalks.
By composting organic waste instead of discarding it, we reduce landfill impact while creating valuable fertilizer for gardens. Always verify which scraps are compost-safe, as items like meat and bones should be avoided.
Our Partners Have Your Back
If you aren’t sure how to get started on one or any of these many paths to sustainability, fear not! In addition to Gardyn, our partnership program offers access to a myriad of businesses who can help with your sustainability goals. Viribright uses LED lights in their fixtures, which have lower energy usage than traditional bulbs, Good Bottle Refill Shop creates a circular economy for your bottled good, and Reencle’s at-home composter makes getting our fertilizer easy.
Ready to start your sustainability journey? Begin with one or two changes that feel manageable. Every small step contributes to a greener future, and as a Veris resident, you’re already part of a community committed to environmental stewardship.
