From planting a home vegetable garden to installing rooftop solar panels, there are now dozens of steps homeowners can take to reduce their impact on the planet and live more sustainably at home.  But what about green-minded individuals who rent instead of owning a place to live?  Because renters usually can’t make as many alterations to the roof over their heads as homeowners, some green practices can be more difficult to adopt. 

Those who rent an apartment may feel this problem particularly acutely, as they also have to contend with less space for the likes of a full-fledged organic garden or home solar array.  Fortunately, there are plenty of steps you can take to live more lightly on the planet, even if you have limited space or aren’t the owner of your place of residence.  Here are a few ideas:

Transportation

How we get around is one facet of life that has an enormous impact on the planet—and in most cases renters can change this as easily as homeowners.  In fact, since rented apartments are often located in fairly dense areas where it’s easy to get around without a car, apartment renters may actually be at an advantage.  Finally, should you choose to go completely car-free, you’ll be able to sidestep the issue of limited parking outside of your rented apartment.

For some people, the most practical alternative to travel by car is public transit.  If you live in an area with a good bus system (or perhaps even a light rail or street car), it may be easy to get around town without a car.  But don’t forget that getting around by bicycle is another effective alternative to driving a car. 

In many urban areas, most of the places you’ll have to go on a regular basis (the grocery store, library, etc) are within easy biking distance—and you get a physical workout into the bargain.  From combining healthful exercise with a useful errand, to eliminating the need to find space in a crowded parking lot, the advantages of getting around by bike extend far beyond the good you’ll be doing for the planet.

Electricity

Along with transportation, how much electricity we consume where it comes from is one of the most important factors determining a person’s environmental footprint.  For renters, dramatically reducing electricity consumption can seem a daunting task: after all, installing solar panels or performing major insulation upgrades will at the very least require consulting with you landlord.  But there are many steps you can take to reduce electricity use as a renter.

One of the easiest things you can do in this area is simply unplugging electrical appliances that aren’t in use.  Almost every home appliance saps a certain amount of energy out of the wall socket as long as it’s plugged in—even if it has been turned off.  In fact for some products, like cell phone chargers, fully 90% of energy consumption may occur when the appliance is not in use but has been left plugged in unnecessarily.  Microwaves, computers, internet modems, and space heaters are all examples of appliances that can be easily unplugged when not in use.

As a tenant, you can also choose what kind of lighting you use.  Choosing efficient lighting products likecompact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) instead of old fashioned and inefficient incandescent bulbs can significantly reduce your home energy consumption.  And of course, don’t forget to turn the lights off when you leave a room!

Food and Waste

How we get around and power homes accounts for the bulk of home energy consumption in the United States.  But also important is what you bring into your home or place of residence—and what happens when you’re through with it.  This is another thing residents of rented apartments can easily change.  By purchasing organic, locally grown food products whenever possible, you can reduce your carbon footprint even if you don’t have space for a home vegetable garden of your own.

Also important is how you get rid of food scraps and other waste.  The most sustainable way to dispose of food is to compost it—and though this is slightly more difficult in an apartment, you may find it just takes a little more attention and planning.  If you’re concerned about odor, consider starting a worm composting bin.  If well maintained, a worm bin can be a nearly or completely odor-free way to ensure discarded food is put quickly to good use.  If you don’t have a garden, consider using the resulting soil product to give any houseplants in your apartment a special treat.

Meanwhile, don’t forget about all the other waste that gets discarded from our homes—much of which, from scrap paper to old aluminum cans, can and should be recycled.  If your landlord doesn’t provide recycling options at your apartment complex, consider teaming up with your neighbors to pay for curbside recycling.

In Summary

In many cases, the key to a more sustainable life is simply to be more mindful of how you use energy around your home, where the food you eat comes from, and how you get around when not at home.  In some cases it’s easier to change these things if you are the owner of a house—but renters and apartment residents can take many necessary steps to a greener lifestyle.  The suggestions above are just a few of the ways those who live in a rented apartment can put their green ideals into practice every day.  

Photo credits: flickr.com/photos/nioxxe/4691213785/, flickr.com/photos/janefreese/5707532779/sizes/m/in/photostream/, flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/3996198265/sizes/m/in/photostream/