The world is getting warmer and smellier and more and more cramped. World-wide pollution is devastating the Earth and it seems to be getting worse and worse by the day. But fear not, gentle Shebrew readers! You may not be able to stop global warming, but you can take action simply by improving the way you live in your very own environment: your apartment.
You heard right, girls, green is the new pink. People everywhere are wising up and changing their ways.
Eco-friendly apartments are becoming more and more popular, and, in return, some companies are creating more sustainable products. Gone are the days of making the choice between itchy ugly eco-friendly hemp and sleek and cheap (but eco-disastrous) plastic. Many of the cutest new products are Earth indulgent. Besides, making your apartment environmentally sound is super easy. So go ahead—make your friends green with envy with these few simple tweaks.

The quickest way to add some green to your life is to get a plant. House plants help to purify the air. Gerbera daisies, chrysanthemums, and bamboo palms are some of the best plants for improving air quality, and they just happen to be lovely to look at.

A major problem the Earth is experiencing right now is overuse of heat energy. We are tapping all our resources, and once they’re gone, they ain’t comin’ back. Fortunately, you can save heat energy in a number of ways. Help your heating system by lowering the thermostat and tacking weather stripping in the spaces below your doors and around your windows. Wrap your wires tight for insulation. And get a nice plush carpet; besides being cuter, it keeps your apartment cozy and warm while reducing the need for excess heat energy.

Although buying used products is generally an environmentally friendly thing to do, when it comes to small appliances, used is actually worse. Modern appliances, most notably televisions, are generally more energy efficient than their unsustainable predecessors. The truly eco-friendly appliances will have been approved by Energy Star; make sure to check for the Energy Star label on the packaging. So treat yourself to a new green appliance (hey, the perfect excuse to get that new espresso maker!). Be sure, too, to update your lights. Low energy light bulbs eat up way less energy and last more than ten times longer than standard bulbs.

Saving water is key to having an eco-friendly bathroom. Fix any and all leaky faucets and pipes. Install a brand-new low-flow shower-head so that you can save water without sacrificing shower time (and your friends and anyone else who has to come near you). Be sure to use cold water instead of hot whenever possible. Keep your toilet flush in tip top shape and make sure it doesn’t stick. And, hey! Don’t dump out that left-over water in your cup—use it to water your air-purifying plant!

The kitchen, of course, is another place to check your water sources and make sure nothing’s leaking or askew. It’s also a good place to keep a recycling bin or two so you’re reminded not to throw recyclables in the trash. And do save some trees: stock your kitchen with cloth napkins and dishtowels; not only are they more personal, they’re far more sustainable than throw-away paper products.

A startlingly prevalent environmental pitfall is furniture. So much wood and plastic is respectively wasted and created to sit in people’s living rooms for a year or two, only to be discarded way before their time. When buying furniture, look for something with a history. Used furniture is cheaper, chicer, and way better for the environment.

Easy, no? An eco-friendly apartment is just a few steps away. For links to a load of eco-friendly goods, check out Ecomall (http://www.ecomall.com/). The Earth’s all we got, kids. Keep it clean.