LA is a major metropolitan city and home to over 3.8 million people. A city with this many people will understandably run into issues regarding pollution, sustainability, and energy use. However, many LA residents are eco-friendly and make an effort to make conscious choices and implement sustainable practices into their everyday lives to do their part to contribute to a healthier planet.  

If you’re planning a move to San Fernando Valley, here are a few ways you can live more sustainably and make your apartment an eco-friendly place to live:  

Conserve Energy 

One of the easiest ways to take a step towards reducing your carbon footprint is by being intentional about conserving energy. You can make small changes to your apartment that will make a big difference when it comes to energy usage. Some simple changes you can make today include:  

Switching to LED bulbs.  

Making this switch can reduce energy consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. 

Remembering to unplug.  

Get in the habit of unplugging your phone charger, computers, coffee makers, and other appliances when they're not in use. Devices can still drain energy even when they're not in use, so unplugging them is an easy and eco-friendly thing you can do in your apartment.  

Being mindful of the thermostat. 

The weather in San Fernando Valley is beautiful almost all year long, which means you can open up the windows and let the breeze flow through your apartment instead of running your AC consistently. Get into the habit of setting your thermostat to a comfortable temperature and avoid running it excessively. If you're going to be out of town, turn up your AC so it's not using energy to cool down an empty apartment. 

Let Light In 

Another way to limit energy use is by opening up your curtains and letting the natural light fill your apartment. Not only does this add a warm and inviting feel to your space, but it reduces the amount of electricity required to power the lamps.  

Reduce Water Usage 

Another way to live a more sustainable life is to focus on water conservation. This is an essential aspect of living an eco-friendly lifestyle. Some of the easiest ways to reduce water usage in your apartment include:  

• Fixing leaks: Leaky faucets and pipes can waste a significant amount of water. Make sure to fix them as soon as possible. 

• Taking shorter showers: We all love a nice long hot shower, but if you're trying to be more eco-friendly and conserve water, shorter showers make a big difference  

• Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets: Adding Low-flow showerheads and faucets in your bathroom can reduce water usage by up to 50%. 

Reduce Waste 

Did you know that the average American produces trash at a rate of 4.4 pounds per person per day? Think about all of the food you buy in plastic containers, the coffees you drink out of paper cups, the paper towels you throw away, the plastic bags you bring your groceries home in, and the plastic straws you sip your iced coffee out of.  

Over the last few years, people have become more aware of how much trash they accumulate and how it impacts the environment. If you want to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and make your apartment a more sustainable place to live, try these easy tricks to producing less waste: 

Recycle 

Make sure to recycle all recyclable materials, including paper, plastic, and glass. 

Compost 

If possible, compost food scraps and other organic waste to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills. Many people feel that composting is something that can only be done when you have a lot of land or live on a farm. However, it's very possible to compost in an apartment, it just takes a little patience and creativity. Check out this blog on how to compost in an apartment 

Avoid single-use items 

More and more businesses are providing greener, Reusable alternatives to paper and plastic products. For example, many LA grocery stores supply reusable grocery bags, and coffee shops encourage customers to bring in their own coffee mugs. Little by little, You can start buying multi-use items to replace your single-use items and reduce the amount of trash you're producing.  

Use Eco-Friendly Products 

Cleaning and personal care products can be toxic to the environment. switching to non-toxic, biodegradable products is an easy way to keep your apartment clean while still being safe for the environment and your health. There are many health food stores and vendors at local Farmers' Markets that specialize in creating greener, more sustainable cleaning products that you can use in your apartment.  

If you want to take it a step further, furnish your apartment with eco-friendly furniture. This means looking for furniture made from more sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled wood, or natural fibers. 

Support Sustainable Transportation 

It's no secret that LA has a traffic problem. It's to be expected in a city with 3 million people who are trying to get to school, work, and other social events every day. all of the cars and all of the pollution can really add to the carbon footprint, which is why it's so important to take advantage of LA's efficient public transportation system. Instead of being another car on the road that's adding to the pollution, you could: 

• Use public transportation 

• Walk or bike throughout the city, or  

• Carpool with roommates or friends.  

Reducing how much you rely on cars as your main mode of transportation is one of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint.  

Start a balcony garden 

If you have a balcony, start a small garden with herbs, vegetables, or flowers. Not only does this provide fresh produce, but it also helps absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the air. 

Bottom Line 

Just like many LA residents are serious about leading healthy and active lifestyles, they're also serious about doing their part to create a healthier planet. It can feel like a big job to reduce the carbon footprint and take care of the environment, but if everyone made small sustainable steps towards eco-friendly living, it would make a big difference 

If you're still looking for an apartment in San Fernando Valley that values eco-friendly living and offers a wide variety of floor plans and five-star amenities, take a virtual tour of NMS West Hills today!