Earth Day only comes around once a year, but in today’s world, there’s a large focus on going green and helping the environment however possible. This yearly holiday serves as a great time to examine how each of us can make our living space more earth-friendly. From recycling to saving water, we can all make easy changes to keeping the planet safe. Check out these five tips that make doing your part a walk in the park!

Use Less Paper Towels 

It’s easy to run through an entire roll of paper towels in what seems like no time at all. These convenient yet disposable household items create quite a bit of waste, though. An easy, eco-friendly change exists in the simple way of making a switch from paper towels to reusable dishcloths. Whether you opt to add more  washable dishcloths  or use  washable bamboo towels  that mimic paper towels, this change helps the planet and saves you some money.

Swap Out Your Air Purifier

Go with something more natural to purify the air within your home! Instead of using something that uses electricity to clean the air, make use of plants that do the same thing. Houseplants such as  spider plants  (which are also easy to keep alive!) are proven to rid your air of allergens and toxins and make your home healthier.

 Make Use of Power Strips

Power strips are handy in saving electricity because they can be turned on and off. We’re all guilty of leaving things plugged in even when they aren’t in use – such as phone chargers – and those items are commonly referred to as “vampire appliances”. That’s because they suck up energy even when nothing is being used. Power strips can save that energy and can also aid in slashing your electric bill each month.

Be Strategic with Your Dishwasher

Something as simple as running your dishwasher differently can make your apartment eco-friendlier, plus this is another way to save money. Only run your dishwasher when it’s completely full to avoid wasting water. Additionally, run your dishwasher in the middle of the night by using the much-neglected “delay” button. This allows you to use electricity during “off-peak” hours, resulting in lower electricity bills and a more earth-friendly approach.

 Recycle Correctly

There are many ins and outs of recycling, and it can get confusing! From what’s okay to throw in the bin versus what’s not recyclable to whether you can recycle plastic bags and bottle caps make recycling less straightforward than one would think. Check out the handy infographic below to get the skinny on exactly what you should be recycling and what you shouldn’t for a more eco-friendly home. Still not sure if you are doing right? Feel free to call your property management office for building specific recycling guidelines.

 It’s easy to make your apartment more earth friendly – and to save some money in the process! At  Reside  we’re committed to environmentally responsible living so we redesign green and offer full recycling programs in all our buildings. We want to make a difference and know you do, too. Follow these tips to feel good about how you treat the planet and to celebrate this year’s Earth Day!