Sustainability is the future.
In 2023, more and more apartment communities are making earth-friendly investments to reduce their carbon footprint and the footprint of their residents. This ranges from large changes like switching to energy-efficient appliances and apartment locations to installing a garden for composting. We’ve listed seven environmental design features to look for when apartment hunting to make sure your potential future community is green.
Source: Rent. / Wilshire Victoria
1. Energy-efficient appliances
Apartments that have energy-efficient appliances help to reduce energy consumption and lower your energy bill. Energy-efficient appliances include refrigerators and washing machines with the Energy Star label and low-flow washing machines and toilets. By having installed energy-efficient appliances, residents have peace of mind about reducing their carbon footprint around their weekly chores.
2. Recycling and composting
Recycling is the process of converting materials like plastic, paper, glass and metal, into new products instead of throwing them away as waste. Meanwhile, composting is breaking down organic waste, like food scraps, into nutrient-rich soil.
Both of these processes decrease the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Having on-site recycling bins and composting facilities (like a gardening area) in your apartment complex can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
Source: Rent. / The Union
3. Bike storage
One of the easiest ways we can decrease our carbon footprint is by reducing our carbon emissions. This is easily done through walking or biking places or utilizing public transportation instead of driving a car. On-site bike racks and bike storage encourage residents to not only ride bikes but own their own bikes too since they can be housed and locked up when not in use.
Source: Rent. / Camber
4. Community gardens
Food production creates a lot of waste and the transportation of said food emits a lot of carbon. Community gardens help decrease the amount of waste and toxic air emitted and dually serve as a great community-building activity. Plus, fresh fruits and veggies always taste better.
5. Car charging stations
The use and production of electric cars have increased in the last few years, making them a popular car choice. Electric cars reduce the use of fossil fuels like gasoline. Selecting an apartment with electric car charging stations opens the door to purchasing an electric car and shows the community’s commitment to sustainable innovations.
6. Solar panels
Utilizing renewable energy sources is becoming a city-wide initiative in major metros all over the United States. Installing solar panels makes for a sustainable building seeing as these panels convert sunlight into energy — a perfect way to incorporate environmental design on a building’s exterior.
7. Sustainable transportation options
Apartments that are located near public transportation, bike paths and pedestrian-friendly areas can encourage residents to use these environmentally friendly modes of transportation and reduce their carbon footprint when they can.
With environmental design features, going green at home doesn’t have to be hard
It’s hard to know where to start in your daily routine to do more for the planet. While the small choices we make certainly add up, the larger choice of selecting an apartment with environmental design in mind will be a choice you know is for the greater good.
Choosing a green apartment means you can enjoy the benefits of energy-efficient appliances, sustainable building practices and community initiatives such as recycling programs and community gardens, all while reducing your impact on the environment and contributing to a healthier planet. Making this earth-friendly investment is sure to pay off, not only in your life but in the future.
Source: rent.com