Earth Day at Home: Eco-Friendly Habits to Adopt

Our real estate agents are always looking for ways to make our homes a little greener, more energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. In honor of Earth Day, we'd like to share a few tips to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle!

• Start composting
  A handy way to reduce food waste, composting at home will transform your food scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer. This cuts down on greenhouse gases and reduces the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills. If you want to compost but don't want to do it at home, you can also take your food waste to any of the 20 food scrap drop-off sites operated by the City of Chicago. 
  
  
• Cut down on single-use plastics
  Most households use a wide range of plastic products that simply get thrown out. Plastic water bottles are the most high-visibility culprit, but there are many others, from food packaging and plastic silverware to bags and straws. Evaluate your usage and how you can cut back on single-use plastics. 
  
  
• Bike to work instead of driving
  Chicago takes great pride in being a bike-friendly city, and many residents can ride a bike to and from work instead of driving. Depending on the length of your commute, it could be a great way to get some exercise and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These are some of the most bike-friendly neighborhoods in Chicago.
  
  
• Donate, sell, and upcycle
  We often tend to accumulate so much stuff in our homes that we buy more than we need and end up with more than we can use. When it's time to get rid of unwanted clothing, furniture, and other items, don't let them end up in the trash. Instead, find ways to give them a second life. That could mean donating them, selling them at a yard sale, or upcycling used materials into something new. 
  
  
• Plant native trees and flowers
  Native landscaping is a great way to help the environment. Not only do native plants and trees provide much-needed food and habitat for birds and pollinators, they're also adapted to the region, eliminating the need for excessive watering and overuse of fertilizers. Consult this list to find nurseries and farms that sell Illinois native plants near you. 
  
  
• Organize a community clean-up
  Anyone can make a difference in their own neighborhood. Gather a few friends, family members, and neighbors together and start a community clean-up. Armed with a few simple supplies like gloves, trash bags, and grabbers, you can divide and conquer, greatly reducing the amount of neighborhood trash and separating it into waste and recycling.
  
  
• Shop local
  Buying food and other products that were grown, made, or produced close to home can reduce your carbon footprint in a big way. Buy local products whenever possible, including shopping at these Chicago farmers markets.
  
  
• Make your home more energy-efficient
  Using less energy at home could involve upgrading to Energy Star appliances, beefing up your insulation, or installing newer, more efficient windows. But energy-conscious home improvements don't have to be big, expensive projects. Upgrading to LED lighting, unplugging electronics, sealing air leaks, and reducing your hot water temperature are all free or affordable ways to use less energy at home. 

Contact us today to learn more about green living in Chicago. Making our homes more eco-friendly isn't just something to think about on Earth Day — it's a year-round commitment, and one that we're honored to uphold in Chicagoland! Be sure to ask our real estate agents about making sure your next home has all the green features you desire.