8 ways to start living green when you rent an apartment

Living green in an apartment begins with small, reversible changes. Check your lease before you change any fixture, since some leases restrict it. A few smart swaps can cut utility bills and reduce waste.

1. Swap the showerhead and keep the old one

The bathroom offers a simple place to start. Older fixtures in a rental may use more water than newer ones. You can fix this yourself. Unscrew the standard showerhead with a basic wrench.

Turn the metal nut counterclockwise until the fixture comes loose. Wrap some white plumber tape around the bare pipe threads, and then twist a new fixture on tight to prevent any leaks. Put the old showerhead in a small bag. Keep it under the bathroom sink so you can put it back later.

Look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense labeled showerheads use no more than 2.0 gallons per minute. That simple switch can make a real difference over the months.

The EPA says the average family could save 2,700 gallons of water a year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads. Many models keep the pressure comfortable. You also pay less to heat the water you do not use.

2. Add faucet aerators to cut sink water use

Bathroom sinks drain resources just as fast as showers. Standard faucets often run at 2.2 gallons per minute. You can slow the flow by screwing a small mesh screen onto the tap. This inexpensive part is called an aerator.

The screen mixes air into the water stream to keep the pressure strong. Grab a pair of pliers and wrap a cloth around the metal to avoid scratches. The old tap end usually twists off with a little effort.

WaterSense bathroom sink faucets and accessories use no more than 1.5 gallons per minute, which can cut sink water use by 30 percent or more against the 2.2 gallon standard. The savings add up quickly for a renter paying the utility bills.

The EPA says replacing old faucets and aerators with WaterSense models can save the average family 700 gallons of water a year. Washing your hands will cost less. Brushing your teeth takes a smaller toll on the environment.

3. Use fans and curtains before the AC

Cooling a rental unit takes a lot of expensive electricity. Older air conditioning units can draw heavy power. You can delay turning the system on by managing the sunlight.

Keep window blinds closed during the hottest part of an afternoon. Blocking direct summer sun stops the rooms from heating up like a greenhouse. Open the windows again at night to let the cool air inside.

Moving the indoor air also helps you feel cooler. Floor fans cost very little to run. They keep the air moving so a room feels cooler. You might find that a ceiling fan makes the space comfortable on warm days.

A fan uses a fraction of the electricity required by a window cooling unit. Relying on these simple tools lowers your energy demand.

4. Set up recycling and compost in a small kitchen

Sorting your trash can feel hard in a cramped apartment. You do not need a massive garage to handle waste properly. Dedicate one low kitchen cabinet for sorting paper, plastic and metal. A pair of narrow bins under the sink works well.

Rinse your glass jars and soup cans before you drop them in. Flatten any cardboard boxes so they take up less space. Take the clean materials out to the main recycling bin by the curb once a week.

Food scraps require a slightly different approach. Keep a small stainless steel bowl on the counter. A tight lid keeps fruit flies away. Use it to hold coffee grounds and vegetable peels.

Some cities collect compost from apartment buildings. Some neighborhoods host drop spots at local community gardens. Putting these basic zero waste swaps into practice cuts the trash you send away.

5. Unplug chargers and use power strips

Electronic devices pull power from the wall even when they sit idle. Your television and microwave display clock sip electricity all day long. This constant draw wastes energy and adds to your monthly costs.

Renters cannot rewire a building to stop this phantom power. You still control what stays plugged into the wall.

Group your media devices together on power strips. Plug the television, sound system and game console into one strip. Switch the whole row off before you go to bed.

The same rule applies to your home office equipment. Pull phone chargers out of the socket as soon as the battery reaches full. These tiny daily actions trim your total energy use over the course of a lease.

6. Buy secondhand furniture and pass it on when you move

Filling an empty apartment usually leads a renter to a cheap furniture store. Cheap tables can break easily and often end up in a dumpster after a move. A green home relies on things that last a long time.

You can furnish your space with solid wood pieces found at local thrift shops. Check estate sales and community online boards for sturdy items.

Older furniture can have better materials and tighter joints. A scratched solid wood dresser only needs a light sanding and some fresh paint.

When your lease ends, you might need to leave a heavy desk behind. Sell it to another renter or donate it back to a store. This cycle keeps heavy items in use and out of the local trash. Living with less stuff also makes the eventual moving day much easier.

7. Ask your landlord about bigger efficiency fixes

Renters cannot replace drafty windows or install new appliances on their own. You still have a voice in how the building operates. Property managers want to keep good tenants and protect their investments.

You can write a polite email asking for specific upgrades. Point out a drafty front door and ask for fresh weatherstripping.

Suggest that a programmable thermostat will prevent the heating system from working too hard. If the refrigerator runs constantly and fails to stay cold, ask for an efficient model. Request a box of modern LED bulbs to replace the hot incandescent ones.

A landlord might say no at first. Some will agree to split the cost. Others will pay for the materials if you do the basic installation yourself.

8. Take your swaps with you when you leave

The best part of renting is the freedom to pack up and move. Every green improvement you buy should fit in a moving box.

Take your custom showerhead off the pipe and wrap it in a towel. Unscrew the sink aerators and place them in a small bag. Pull your LED lightbulbs down from the ceiling fixtures.

Put the original landlord fixtures back exactly as you found them. Check that the original showerhead does not leak after you tighten it. Leaving the apartment in its standard condition can help protect your security deposit.

Gather your power strips, recycling bins and smart plugs. You get to carry all those energy savings straight into your next apartment.

Adding up your water savings

Switching out the plumbing fixtures yourself provides the clearest benefit. You pay for the new hardware once. You see lower water bills for the rest of your lease. The table below sets out what the EPA says an average family keeps out of the drain.

These EPA estimates show that small apartment updates can add up.

Choosing the right habits for your space

Making all these changes in one weekend might feel like a heavy task. Pick one room and start there. The bathroom offers the fastest return on your time.

Changing a shower fixture is a quick job. It cuts the hot water you use, and you may see the difference on your next utility bills.

The kitchen comes next. Finding space for a recycling system changes your daily habits. You learn to wash out glass jars and sort cardboard without thinking about it.

Renting an apartment does not stop you from making better choices.