Tips for Greening Your Manhattan Apartment
In spite of the cold weather, "Be Cool" Go Green!
Here are some simple ideas that will help the environment and might actually save you money.
- Recycle according to your building's guidelines.
- Upgrade appliances. Modern appliances are more efficient than older ones.
- Unplug chargers and appliances such as VCR or a coffee maker when you're not using them. Believe it or not, left plugged, these appliances take up energy. You'll actually save on your electric bill. And when buying appliances, look for the "Energy Star" label.
- Switch to a green energy provider: http://www.askpsc.com/ or call 866-GRN-POWR
- Switch to ENERGY-STAR - qualified compact flouresent light bulbs (CFLs)
- Bring a cloth or canvas bag to the supermarket
- Switch to paperless bank statements
- Recycle unwanted electronics, computers monitors and printers through one of the retailer or manufacturer-sponsored, take-back programs below. Beginning July 2009 NYC law will require all electronics manufacturers to adopt e-recycling programs.
- Apple: 888-638-2761; http://www.apple.com/enviroment/recycling/nationalservice/us.html
- Cannon: 800-385-2155
- Dell: 800-915-3355; http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/about_dell/values/environment/reccling_main?~ck=ln&c=us&l=en&lnki=0&s=corp
- IBM: 888-SHOP-IBM; http://www.ibm.com/ibm/environment/products/recycling.shtml
- Lenovo: (including IBM laptops) http://lenovo.ecotakeback.com
- Lexmark: 800-LEXMARK (539-6275) http://www.lexmark.com/recycle/
- Sony: 877-439-2795; http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId-10551&categoryId=8198552921644513777&langId=1&storeId=10151
For home renovations, go to www.environmentalhomecenter.com, where you can purchase green building materials such as paint, countertops, flooring, cleaning supplies, etc. The www.thegreenguide.com has useful, practical everyday living information.
And finally if you're ready to live in a new green (LEED) certified condo recently built or currently under construction in Manhattan - go to my new developments page on my website fill out the buyer form and write green in the comment section. I will send you email listings of green condos that match your buying criteria.
Courtesy of: New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal: 212-873-6368 - Rosenthal@assembly.state.ny.us
Hey Mitchell, very practical list of things to do! Thanks for putting this together.
ReplyDeleteEspecially useful is the list of Take Back programs. I have an old printer and computer I'm about to give up and was about to search for how to get rid of these.
Hey Dave,
ReplyDeleteThanks, I have old computers, printer and cell phones that I didn't know what to do with either.
In addition to directly contacting merchants, the NYC Department of Sanitation periodically has electronic recycling days in Manhattan.
That was some really relevant information. Thanks a lot for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSwitching to steel residential buildings is another smart eco-friendly move that one can make.
Thanks
Kirk J. Steel
http://www.Citysteelbuildings.com