Sustainability is a big part of the mission here at Pale Blue Earth. One of our goals is to contribute to the global effort to maintain the planet and its ecosystems so that future generations can enjoy it as much as we do. In promoting sustainability, we often talk about sustainability at home.
Sustainability at home is often spoken of in the context of single-family homes owned by their occupants. We don't tend to talk so much about sustainability in an apartment setting. That's unfortunate. Even apartments can be transformed into more sustainable spaces. Renters can live more sustainable lifestyles without altering their apartments or alienating landlords.
When you stop and think about it, sustainability is more a mindset than anything else. It is a decision to do things in a conscientious way, a way that honors future generations by avoiding behaviors that contribute to planetary and ecosystem destruction. Sustainability is a choice we can all make. It is a choice we can all practice within the environments in which we live and work.
Battery Choices Are a Perfect Example
A consumer's choice of batteries is a perfect example to illustrate sustainability as a mindset. We are all familiar with disposable alkaline batteries. They are used once and then discarded. Where do discarded batteries and up? Most end up in landfills and incinerators. This needlessly contributes to pollution. Meanwhile, more resources are consumed to manufacture more disposable batteries.
Choosing Pale Blue Earth USB-C rechargeable batteries results in an entirely different waste flow. For starters, a single rechargeable battery can be charged 1,000+ times. So right away, choosing to go with rechargeables greatly diminishes the number of batteries you throw away.
More importantly, lithium-ion batteries can be recycled. Recoverable materials are preserved, thereby further reducing landfill stress and the need to produce virgin resources for battery manufacturing. The beauty of all of this is that choosing USB-C rechargeable batteries is in no way influenced by where you live. Renters can choose them just as easily as homeowners.
Other Suggestions for Renters
We have set the stage for turning an apartment into a more sustainable space by discussing battery choices. But that's just the start. Here are some other suggestions for renters:
1. Routine Recycling
Any apartment renter can practice routine recycling to improve sustainability. If your landlord offers the ability to recycle glass and paper, take advantage of it. We previously mention recycling lithium-ion batteries; do that too. Every opportunity to recycle is an opportunity to be more sustainable.
2. Water Preservation
Clean water is a limited resource. In addition, treating wastewater before returning it to the environment consumes energy and other resources. How can you make a difference? By making a concerted effort to preserve water. You can take shorter showers, only run the dishwasher when it's full, and turn off the water while you're brushing your teeth or shaving. It makes a difference.
3. Choose Sustainable Cleaning Products
As a renter, you aren't free from having to keep your place clean. That means you are probably buying cleaning products online or from the grocery store. Make a commitment to buying only sustainable cleaning products. It will be better for you, your apartment, and the planet.
Remember that sustainability is a mindset more than a list of specific tasks or activities. It's a mindset that looks for ways to preserve the Earth's natural resources so that we have something to pass on to future generations. Whether one lives in an apartment or a single-family home, we can all do our part to make the world a more sustainable place.
4.Community Gardens
While your apartment is unlikely to have a yard big enough to set up your own garden (hopefully it does!), check to see if you have a community garden nearby. You can learn to grow your own vegetables and undoubtedly will meet likeminded people with whom you can share good ideas for better living.
