Save And Be Green | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Ways To Be Green, And Save Some Green, In A College Apartment

Being green doesn't have to be expensive and can actually be saving your money.

83
10 Ways To Be Green, And Save Some Green, In A College Apartment

It's moving in season once again! For the people moving into apartments this academic year, a lot will be spent on a variety of furniture and other necessities required to move in. So you might be wondering the ways to save and help your wallet. Surprisingly, being green might be the solution.

1. $10 can go a long way with a draft stopper 

Especially in the cold winter states/cities (a'hem Chicago), heat can cost quite a bit in the winter months. That's where draft stoppers come in. Draft stoppers can help insulate your rooms when placed in front of windows and the bottom of doors in the apartment. Lowers the cost and lowers the use, which helps both your wallet and the impact of your heater! It's easy to make, if you want, and there are also many cute designs out there too!

2. Opt out of junk mail

All that annoying junk mail that you end up simply throwing out actually can be stopped. That would reduce the need to throw out these papers and dealing with them from that point on. You can simply go to websites like this to stop the flow of paper into your mailbox.

3. Switch to non-toxic cleaning products

Even if it may be a new apartment to you, the apartment most likely will need some weekly/daily cleaning. Some of that equipment can be expensive. But switching to non-toxic cleaning products can help because most of them can be DIY'ed and easily made with things that you may have available in your home. Easy, free, and clean!

4. Plants, plants, and more plants!

One of the more obvious options is buying plants. It's a green investment and great décor for a small apartment! So it's a cheaper, green way to make your place look nice. You can cultivate a hobby of growing them as a nice relaxing past time too. And if you don't want anything too cumbersome, you can always hop on the succulent bandwagon.

5. Plug-it on and off

For small appliances like iPhone chargers or other things you don't need to be plugged in every hour of the day, get a smart power strip to turn it off at once when not needed. This will help out your electricity bill and from exploiting to much energy on your part. Plug-ins cost as low as $7 at any place near you.

6. Stop the money and the water from flowing out

Get a water saving shower head and save money on your water bill! Simple to change out, so no hassle! Just an easy buy for as low as $2 and saving more money. How much better can it get?

7. Change out the bulbs

Another easy fix with an investment in LED lightbulbs and a chair to help you reach the light bulbs. Once your old, regular incandescent light bulbs burn out, change to LED lightbulbs which last longer and use less energy with each use.

8. Recycle those bottles!

Try to use reusable mugs and bottles, but when you do have plastics, make sure to make an extra effort to correctly dispose of them! Take advantage of recycling facilities if you have one near you. They will give you back money for the amount of water bottles and other recyclable bottles you bring. You're getting your money back!

9. Clean that filter!

If you or your landlord can clean the filter on your AC or heater, it can help make it more efficient. Keeping it clean and efficient is nice for the AC and heater itself, as well as a good way to keep your home warm or cool and keeping the costs down.

10. Get broken things fixed

ASAP! If you have even the slightest leak or some kind of broken part of any part of your home, get it fixed right away. You don't want to pay for the extra that was due to the breakage. Stops the heat or water from being wasted too!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

4444
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

118857
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

911
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

669
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments