Why recycle? It’s an important practice to get in the habit of and the benefits of recycling will make the environment a more healthy and happy place, which will in turn make all of us healthier and happier. As the world grows increasingly more environmentally conscious, the emphasis on recycling is as strong as ever. Sometimes it may not be obvious how or where to recycle, so we have some tips and best practices for recycling to make your life a little greener.
First thing’s first: what are recyclable materials? Before you start going wild with recycling, you need to know what you can actually recycle. Besides paper and plastic, metals like aluminum and copper as well as glass can be recycled. Certain plastics cannot be recycled, however, and are indicated by a number imprinted on the bottom of the container. Types 1 and 2 are always recyclable, type 4 is usually accepted but requires confirmation from your local recycling provider and type 7 may never be recycled.
Although paper is the most recycle-friendly material, paper with food stains or residue is not accepted. Neither is plastic take out containers with food remnants. Styrofoam is not recyclable. Glass bottles as vessels for food and beverage are acceptable, but not medicinal bottles, glasses, plates or mugs.
A couple tips to keep in mind when sorting recyclables are never combine glass and ceramic materials, as that can be a dangerous combination that requires additional sorting at the recycling center. Also, sorting and labeling your recycling material into one compartment for bottles and cans and one compartment for paper and cardboard is helpful and required by some recycling services. In addition, all containers should be rinsed and cleaned of any particles and boxes should be broken down and flattened.
Now you’re ready to recycle! Here are the Louisiana and Mississippi recycling pick-up and drop off centers near 1st Lake Apartments.
It’s a fact: hurricane zones are usually awesome places to live. See: New Orleans, Louisiana’s North Shore, beachfront property. Even though hurricane season presents a risk every year, most people still choose to settle in areas within tropical storms’ reach, because of their many other advantages. However, making this choice also comes with a certain required amount of hurricane preparation, and whether you’re new to the area, or you’ve been here for years, make sure to follow these emergency precautions – pre-storm.
If you’re located along wetlands, be it near a river, lake or ocean, it’s a good idea to start thinking about the kinds of protection you can get, in the form of renters insurance. Basic renters insurance is affordable and will cover any damage to your possessions that a landlord’s plan will not. Confirm that your policy covers wind damage and be aware of what it doesn’t cover. Hurricane Katrina taught the unfortunate lesson that if you’re located in a flood zone, then flood insurance is needed in addition, as renters insurance will not cover damage due to rising water.
Besides obtaining insurance, find out if you are in an evacuation zone. If so, make the necessary provisions, like a plan of where to evacuate and a keeping a hurricane supply kit on hand. This type of kit should include lots of bottled water, canned food, canned beverages, first aid kit, batteries and supplies for children and pets. Review the complete list of hurricane evacuation supplies to check what all you’ll need.
In the event that a mandatory evacuation is called, make sure to decide on a destination ahead of time and have a route mapped out to get there, avoiding major highways if possible. Make sure to have a full tank of gas when you head out and an extra supply if you’re going a long distance as some gas stations might be closed if it’s an evacuation scenario.
If you’ve never had to evacuate because of moody Mother Nature, then you probably have no idea what to do in such an event. But if you follow these basic guidelines, it will make the unfortunate experience a lot more tolerable. Let’s hope this hurricane season is kind, but if it gets testy – be prepared!
Summer is making its way to New Orleans, and that means the next few months will be teeming with sweltering heat and humidity. These extreme elements can make your daily jog unbearable (and even dangerous!). All 1st Lake Properties have a swimming pool – one of the many apartment property amenities made available to residents. So for the next few months, why not give those running shoes a break and hop into the pool for a cooler way to exercise at your apartment?!
You can get an intense full body workout in the apartment pool without feeling sticky and overheated. The water creates extra resistance, for a greater challenge, along with taking pressure off of damaged or sore joints. The only equipment you really need is a swimsuit. For an advanced workout, try incorporating water weights.
To get the most of your water workout, follow these tips:
There are literally hundreds of types of exercises for water aerobics, varying in intensity and experience level. 1st Lake Properties has compiled a few resources so you can put together your own water workout based on your fitness level.
It’s not required to be best friends with your landlord or property manager – but in New Orleans where everyone seems to know each other, it wouldn’t be unusual. Whatever the case, landlords and tenants are still connected in legal ways, at the very least, and it’s important to know your rights and expectations as a tenant. Both the lessor and lessee have certain conditions of their agreement to uphold, and these are the main points.
Provide a secure environment – First and foremost, the landlord or property manager of the unit you’re leasing must ensure that the space is properly equipped and sound. Make sure apartment safety features like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are installed, the structure is stable, any necessary repairs are made, etc. All doors and windows should have working locks, and should open and close correctly. Make sure to inspect the space thoroughly when viewing the apartment before signing the lease so no surprises come up after you’ve already moved in.
Be attentive and responsive – As an extension of the first expectation of a landlord, whenever a problem arises in the safety or operations of your apartment, the landlord is responsible for addressing it in a timely fashion. Issues with the plumbing, power, framework or any other essential areas of your residence need to be attended to right away by the landlord or a repairman sent by the landlord. Report any negligent situations immediately.
Welcoming of everyone – Most cities have a fair housing action center that enforces the rights under the Fair Housing Act, the most prominent being that a landlord or property manager cannot turn away a potential tenant based on gender, race or disability. They do have the right, however, to run a background check, ask for references or request proof of income. If the landlord finds that any of those are violated, he or she has the right to deny the applicant.
Damage control – While a landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining a safe environment, the tenant has to do their part as well. Besides keeping their apartment clean and sanitary to live in, any damage inflicted by the tenant must be taken responsibility for. It’s one thing if any damage incurs that’s not the fault of the lessor, but anything that’s broken by the tenant cannot be held against the landlord and may be subject to the security deposit not being returned.
Be respectful and considerate – This may go without saying, but the tenant is responsible for preserving a peaceful environment and not disturbing their neighbors. Besides the fact that it’s just polite and considerate, it could also keep the tenant from being kicked out. Most leases include a noise ordinance section, and so the landlord has the right to suspend it if it’s violated in any way.
Obey lease – In addition to keeping up the safety and sanitary conditions of your apartment and keeping the noise down, the #1 obligation a lessee has to a lessor is to pay rent on time. This may seem like common knowledge, but it’s a problem landlords run into often with their tenants. So if you don’t take away anything else from this list, remember to always pay your rent by the time the lease states it’s due!
It’s important to thoroughly read and have an understanding of your lease agreement and have a copy to refer to if there is ever any confusion or conflicts. Otherwise, if you stick to these basic responsibilities, whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, not only will you have a civil relationship with one another, but it could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
So you’ve moved into your brand new apartment in metro New Orleans. Now what? You unpack, stock the kitchen, hang some pictures, and you’re all set, right? Wrong. There are a few safety features and measures to make sure you have and take in order to be prepared for any unforeseen danger. Chances are you may never need to use them, but if you ever do, you’ll be thankful they’re there.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
