27 Eco-Friendly Apartment Ideas [2024]

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the need for sustainability, many renters are finding themselves wanting to do their part to live greener. From simple tweaks like switching to LED light bulbs and air-drying your dishes to more involved projects like installing a compost bin, there are a lot of things you can do as a renter to lead a more sustainable life. That’s why we wrote this checklist, so you can keep track of all the ways you’re contributing to a better future!

So, let's roll up our sleeves and get ready to create a greener, healthier, and more enjoyable living space!

Eco-Friendly Apartment Upgrades

Energy Efficiency (1-10)

1. Switch to LEDs: Swap out light bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs.
2. Power down energy vampires: Unplug electronics when not in use to avoid phantom energy.
3. Smart plugs and strips: Use smart plugs or power strips to easily turn off electronics at once.
4. Weatherize your windows: Seal gaps around windows with draft guards to prevent heat loss.
5. Program your thermostat: Set a schedule for your heating and cooling to avoid unnecessary use.
6. Hang thermal curtains: Hang curtains with insulation to keep cool air in or out during any season (and keep your room darker at night, too).
7. Turn off the dry cycle: Turn off the hot dry cycle on your dishwasher and simply let them air dry after a cycle.
8. Natural light: Maximize natural daylight to reduce reliance on artificial lighting.
9. Hang laundry to dry: Dry clothes on a rack or clothesline to save energy from the dryer.
10. Cook in bulk: Prepare larger meals and reheat leftovers to reduce energy used for cooking.

Water Conservation (12-20)

11. Low-flow showerhead: Install a low-flow showerhead to reduce water usage.
12. Faucet aerators: Install aerators on faucets to reduce water flow while maintaining pressure.
13. Fix leaky faucets: Address any dripping faucets promptly to prevent water waste.
14. Use the dishwasher: Newer dishwashers are more efficient with water than hand washing. In a lot of cases, you don’t even need to rinse since laundry soap works better when it has grime to latch on to.
15. Full dishwasher and laundry loads: Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when fully loaded.
16. Air dry laundry when possible: Skip the dryer and line-dry your clothes on a rack or outdoors.
17. Turn off the tap: Brush teeth, shave, and wash dishes with the water off when not actively in use.
18. Collect rainwater: If you have a space outside, set up a container to collect rainwater for watering plants or cleaning.
19. Reuse water: Use leftover water from cooking or washing vegetables for plants or flushing toilets.

Waste Reduction (20-27)

20. Compost food scraps: Set up a small compost bin for vegetable scraps and coffee grounds to divert waste from landfills.
21. Drive to the recycling center: While unfortunately a lot of apartment complexes still don’t have recycling options, your city might. Go online and find out if there’s a recycling center nearby that is open for public use.
22. Refill and reuse: Choose refillable cleaning products and water bottles instead of disposable ones.
23. Donate or sell unwanted items: Before throwing things away, consider donating or selling them to give them a second life.
24. Buy in bulk: Purchase items in bulk to reduce packaging waste, but only if you'll use everything before it expires.
25. Choose sustainable products: Opt for products with minimal packaging and made from recycled materials when possible.
26. Solar powered devices: Opt for solar-powered versions of small devices like flashlights and battery packs, and consider portable solar panels if you use electricity outside.
27. Reduce paper waste: Opt for digital bills, receipts, and subscriptions. Use the national “do not mail” list to reduce incoming junk mail.

What Are Apartments Doing to Be More Sustainable?

All over the country, different apartment communities are taking a variety of initiatives to make their shared homes greener. From streamlining parking options to simple changes in architecture, learn from Simple Dwelling about how some community projects are making apartment living greener:

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Eco-Friendly Apartment FAQs

What Is an Eco-Friendly Apartment?

An eco-friendly apartment is one that minimizes its environmental impact through features and practices that conserve resources, reduce waste, and promote sustainability. Key characteristics include energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and often community initiatives.

Are Apartments More Sustainable than Houses?

It's not a simple yes or no. Apartments may have a smaller footprint, shared walls contribute to insulation, and closer access to public transportation and amenities. But they also usually offer less control over individual features and renovations, limited outdoor space, and potentially higher density leading to resource pressure. Houses provide more control over energy efficiency measures and renewable energy installations, and larger potential for personal gardens and composting, but they may have a higher footprint overall.

What Are 5 Eco-Friendly Habits?

1. Reduce consumption: Minimize purchases, reuse and repair items, avoid single-use plastics, buy ethically sourced products.
2. Embrace energy efficiency: Switch to LEDs, power down electronics, air dry clothes, use public transportation or walk/bike.
3. Conserve water: Take shorter showers, fix leaky faucets, reuse water for plants, opt for water-efficient appliances.
4. Minimize waste: Compost food scraps, recycle diligently, avoid unnecessary packaging, choose products with minimal waste.
5. Support sustainable practices: Eat local and seasonal food, choose renewable energy providers, advocate for green policies in your community.

Remember, every little bit counts! By adopting these habits, you can significantly reduce your environmental impact and contribute to a greener future.