Need some ideas for green programs for an apartment complex?

Question

I work in an apartment complex i need three green programs that i can incorporate the people living here. some past examples where trading in the old light bulbs for the low watt ones, turn your ac up 10*, recycle your CDs

Answer 1

You may use: My Best Recycling Idea

Besides recycling the plastic containers, you can improve your work or home environments by bringing live potted plants indoors.

Major items needed:

One empty plastic gallon container.   Tree Top Apple Juice is preferred, or equal in shape.

One empty plastic ½ gallon container.  Langers All Pomergranate Juice is preferred or equal.

Directions:  Lay the plastic gallon container on its side so the front label is facing up.  Place the empty plastic half gallon container on the label and with a sharpie pen outline the bottom on the Tree Top label and with a sharp knife carefully cut the outline.  Insert the half gallon into the hole until it rest on the back label of the gallon container.  Then mark and cut approximately one inch above the cut on the ½ gallon  to complete your planter container.  Remove and drill several ¼ inch holes on the bottom of the ½ gallon cut container for drainage.

Fill the cut ½ gallon planter with one inch of gravel before putting in good potting mix soil and live growing plant.  If you make two or more you can pour the water back and forth and not waste the water with the nutrients.

Go to NASA’s Clean Air Plant Study for the top ten plants that cleans the indoor air better than the rest.   http://www.zone10.com/tech/NASA/Fyh.htm

Answer 2

Try to use toxic free cleaning and laundry soap. use canvas bags for your grocery and by recycling your bottles and plastic trash you would help the environment.

Answer 3

1. Use only tofu or soybean based semi-gloss paint for both interior and exterior panting projects.

2. Insulate walls and pipes with either a popcorn or rice based insulation.

3. Dig up the sewer line and divert the gray water to the front lawn.  Filter out the butt nuggets using #7 wire mesh and use them to start a compost pile.

7. Disconnect the gas line and the electrical service.  

8. Install solar panels on all sides of the building except the north wall.

9. Throw out the boiler and use a solar still & toaster unit.

10. Air dry all laundry, or simply abandon all clothing.  Yes, yes, I know this will ruin Halloween for the kids and scare the smug Elsässer eco-tourists, but what can I say?

11. Replace light bulbs with wax candles and/or blubber lamps.

12.  Replace all facia boards and eaves with oversized bamboo composite privacy screens.

13 Remove the entire garden and replace it with no-maintenance native plants.  Do not garden!

14.  Recycle the bug-zapper and issue fly swatters.  You'll need them.

15. Disconnect the water service and use only the rainwater off the roof.  When it runs out, wait till next storm.

16. Purchase one burro and one 0 x 6 wagon with canopy and a 10' bed for every 5 residents.

Answer 4

Why not start a complex wide "free-cycle" program.  

Especially if you have any regular turnover of tennants, people who are moving in/out would always be looking for lamps or dressers or such that other tennats may not want to move, or even keep when moving, or may just be tired of an item in general.

This would be especially handy if you have an unused storage area, perhaps do a in/out trade off, or an in/out limit of some sort if it gets to be a problem.