Green apartment living is no longer a fringe movement or something reserved for those graced with lots of space, funds, or time! In fact, green apartment living, especially in a small space, is becoming bigger than ever (pun absolutely intended).

There are countless changes and choices we can make to join the green apartment living movement, but here are 7 simple ones you can try regardless of your square footage!

Embrace a More Minimalist Style

The first step in any apartment transformation is making sure you have room to work with. And if clutter is the natural enemy of green apartment living, then it is the arch-nemesis of green apartment living in a small space.

Free yourself from the items you no longer need, want, or use and be amazed by the difference in your home, but remember to always recycle or donate those superfluous things. One person’s trash…

Switch to (or Make) Green Cleaning Supplies

Now that you’ve moved all that unneeded stuff out, you no doubt need a healthy cleaning and the best way to do that is with products that won’t turn your green start brown.

Green or natural cleaning products have gained popularity right along with green apartment living, and there are countless products and recipes for making sure your space is clean and safe, for you, your pets, and the Earth.

Reclaim Your Vertical Space for Recycling

One of the biggest complaints against green apartment living is that recycling always seems to take up much too much space, but not anymore!

Utilize the vertical space you’ve been losing by using a stackable recycling system instead of a horizontal one that steals your much-needed floor space.

There are many styles, from rustic farm-house boxes to modern metal kits and everything in between, so there’s sure to be one that fits your new green apartment living’s aesthetic!

Bring the Outside In with a Mini Garden of Herbs, Vegetables, or Flowers

Whether you have a green thumb or not, nothing brings new life to your green apartment living quite like some actual life!

From hard-to-kill herbs and succulents to fast-growing lettuces (which will even grow from the stem of yesterday’s salad) there’s something out there that you and your windowsill can handle.

Save Energy and Water by Changing Small Habits

There are many ways to reduce energy and water consumption and propel yourself to green apartment living status! Here are just a few:

  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator
  • Go for a walk instead of staying on the couch
  • Open a window instead of using air conditioning
  • Use a drying wrack instead of the machine (for a fresh smell too!)
  • Use cold water for your washing
    • And avoid these peak hours – afternoons in the warmer months and mornings in the cooler ones
  • Unplug appliances or use a power strip and turn it off when not in use to avoid that phantom energy leak.

Do the Earth (and Yourself) a Favor and Get Off those Junk Mailing Lists

No one likes junk mail, and it has no place in green apartment living, luckily, in just a few minutes, it can become a thing of the past.

You can opt-out of being on mailing lists, and though it may take up to 90 days for the publications and solicitations to fully stop, it will be well worth it, and your vertical recycling bins will thank you!

Cook More Meals at Home with Local Products

Farmers’ markets are magical places for those trying to live a greener life. Fresh produce and products for comparable (or even lower) prices with the added bonus of being local? What isn’t to love? It is as green as you can get without having the farm plot in your living room.

Not only is it more sustainable to cook at home (with local ingredients) but it’s also easier on your wallet!

Enjoy Your New Green Apartment Living and Spread the News!

Green apartment living is not only good for the Earth, but you, your health, and even your bank account!

Do you have more tips? Let us know with a comment below! There is so much that can be done, even in a small space!

If you are looking for a new place with the potential to be your green apartment living start, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’d love to find the perfect fit for you!