Are you doing all that you can to ensure that the earth is as it was, if not better than, before you were born? While all of this talk about “going green” and “environmental footprints” may sound like a bunch of scientific nonsense, the truth is that much of it offers some realistic feedback for maintaining the integrity of the planet.

If you don’t know how to go green, then you may not even really know where to begin. This can be a challenge, especially for those who want to do all that they can to preserve the earth. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.

Here is a look at things you can do for living a greener life, starting with your home.

Avoid Overusing Electronics

There is nothing more frustrating than having a dead battery on your cellphone in the morning. But if you don’t need to charge your phone, then there is no need to have the charger plugged in, as this will otherwise use unneeded energy. This goes to be said about a variety of different electronics in your home. Although you may not want to unplug your TV when not in use, and then plug it back in whenever you want to watch it, this will help you go green. That’s also the case with unused lamps or other things in your home. It’s fine to keep your regularly used items readily plugged in, but going green means that you’ll want to considerably cut down on the usage of everything else.

Don’t Be So Quick To Throw Out Your Trash

It can take a few extra seconds to organize your trash into compost or recycling, but that is time well spent when you consider the impact it will make on the environment. Instead of throwing all of your trash into one bin, organize it into what can be recycled as well. In addition, you may also be able to compost some of your trash, which you can then use to grow your own garden. Living in an apartment doesn’t mean that you can’t still have a garden, it just means that you’ll have to be more accommodating to your circumstances. One of those circumstances includes using compost to keep those plants strong.

Switch Out Old Lights

One of the easiest changes you can make to your apartment when going green includes the use of new light bulbs. By switching out your old light bulbs for new eco-efficient options, you’ll save money each month on your electricity bill. You’ll also make less of a footprint, which is always ideal for those looking to go more green.

You might be surprised with how much you can do around your apartment to go a bit more green. In many cases, these changes won’t even require a whole lot of effort on your part, either. Instead, just a bit of planning and more due diligence will help you be more ready to go green in your apartment.