As summer winds down and a new academic year approaches, many students are moving into—or back into—their Montreal apartments for the fall semester. Whether you’re settling into your first off-campus space or returning to a familiar rental, it’s the perfect time to establish habits that are good for the planet and your wallet. Luckily, making more sustainable choices doesn’t have to mean overhauling your life or spending a fortune; some of the best eco-friendly changes are also the simplest.
At The Tribune, we’ve rounded up four small swaps you can make to live smarter, greener, and more intentionally this school year.
Ditch paper towels for dish cloths
Paper towels may be convenient, but their environmental impact adds up fast. A 2012 study from MIT found that two paper towel rolls produce 15 grams of CO2 emissions. With daily use in the kitchen, bathroom, and beyond, these seemingly insignificant emissions have a substantial environmental impact. Instead, switch to reusable dish cloths or rags, which can be washed hundreds of times. This simple swap cuts back on landfill waste and the emissions associated with manufacturing and transporting single-use products.
Master the secondhand marketplace
Moving into your apartment often means stocking up on furniture, kitchenware, and home decor. But before you make a beeline to IKEA, consider buying secondhand. After all, the purchase of pre-owned pieces keeps usable items out of landfills. Montreal is a goldmine for pre-loved home essentials. From the thriving thrift store scene to vintage shops and community-driven platforms, there are plenty of options to furnish your space without generating more waste. Local thrift shops like Renaissance offer not just clothing, but also dishes, lamps, small appliances, and quirky decor pieces that add character to your space. Éco Dépôt is another fantastic option for sourcing vintage furniture. Lastly, Facebook Marketplace can become your go-to for affordable, local finds. Make sure to search for your desired pieces in both English and French to double your chances of finding what you need—try swapping “coffee table” for “table basse,” or “dresser” for “commode.”
Clean green
Commercial cleaning products end up polluting the environment when they evaporate or travel through drains. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cleaning products contain certain chemicals such as alkylphenol ethoxylates that may be detrimental to aquatic habitats. One way to reduce the release of pollutants is to make your cleaning products at home. You can complete most cleaning tasks around your apartment with a combination of three ingredients you probably already have: Water, white vinegar, and lemon juice. Mix them in equal parts, then pour the mixture into a reusable spray bottle for a versatile all-purpose cleaner. This simple solution can tackle almost every surface in your apartment—from the stove top to the bathroom tiles—without harming the planet.
Air it out
In the average Canadian household, appliances account for 13.6 per cent of total energy use. According to the non-profit Green America, households that opt to air-dry clothes can reduce their carbon footprint by 2,400 pounds a year. Air-drying doesn’t just benefit the planet: The high heat and tumbling of dryers can weaken fabrics, cause shrinkage, and fade colours over time. When you hang your clothes to dry, they last longer, allowing you to replace them less often. Sure, Montreal winters and rainy days aren’t always conducive to outdoor drying, but that doesn’t mean you need to rely on your dryer year-round. A collapsible drying rack can hold an entire load of laundry without taking up space in your apartment between washes. Plus, in dry winter months, indoor air-drying can even add a bit of humidity back into your home.
