How to Live Sustainably in an Apartment: 10 Easy Tips for a Greener Home
When I first started getting curious about sustainability, I was a bit lost on how to lean towards Eco without living on a farm, growing your own food, or investing in solar panels. I was living in a city apartment, the same one I still live in—renting, with no garden and no compost bin. If you're in the same boat, I’ve got good news: you can absolutely live a more sustainable lifestyle from an apartment.
Sustainability isn’t about being perfect or doing everything at once. It’s about making small, intentional choices that add up. So if you’re looking for easy, beginner-friendly ways to green your apartment life without completely changing your lifestyle, here are 10 tried-and-true tips that worked for me—and can work for you too.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. These brands have been carefully chosen because they are committed to sustainability!
1.RETHINK SINGLE USE EVERYTHING
One of the biggest shifts I made in my apartment was cutting down on single-use items—especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Paper towels, plastic wrap, and disposable cotton pads may seem harmless, but they add up fast.
Try this instead:
Use reusable cloths or old T-shirts as rags.
Store food in glass jars, or silicone bags. Don’t miss my post with ideas on ways to reuse mason jars (warning: you might turn into a mason jar hoarder)
Switch to reusable makeup pads for skincare
Try reusable pads for your period, or one of these ideas.
It’s not about replacing everything overnight—it’s about finding what you can reuse consistently and building habits that stick. You’ll reduce your waste, and you’ll save money!
You’ll probably find there are some plastic things you can’t replace, even if you have the will. Don’t worry, I got you covered! Here are my tips on what to do with the plastic you can’t avoid.
2. START A MINI COMPOST SYSTEM
Yes, even in an apartment, composting is possible. You don’t need a backyard—just a little creativity.
Here are some options to compost in your apartment:
Countertop compost bins like this one, that seal in smells.
Bokashi buckets
Or, if your city has it: drop-off sites or curbside compost programs. Check with your city! For instance, in Miami, the Botanical Garden offers a community compost program, and there are companies like Soilmate that you can hire for compost pick-up.
You can be surprised of how much of your trash is actually food scraps. Diverting them from the landfill is something impactful you can do, even if you live in an apartment.
3. BE A CONSCIOUS ENERGY USER
Let’s start with the basics—electricity. One of the easiest changes you can make is swapping out traditional incandescent bulbs for LED lights. They use about 75% less energy and last significantly longer. If you haven’t made the switch yet, this is your sign.
Another great investment? Smart power strips or plugs. Many devices draw power even when they’re “off,” a sneaky phenomenon called phantom energy. Smart strips can automatically cut that excess usage, especially overnight or when you're out. Bonus tip: unplug chargers, lamps, and appliances you’re not using regularly. It takes a second, and it adds up. This is especially important if you’re leaving on vacation for a few days!
On the other hand, another eco thing you can do, is to upgrade your appliances when applicable. You don’t need to replace everything overnight. But when it’s time to upgrade an appliance—whether it’s a fridge, microwave, or even a fan—look for the ENERGY STAR label. These appliances meet strict energy efficiency standards and help cut down your electricity use.
In the meantime, use what you already have more efficiently. Keep your fridge full (it uses less energy), clean the dryer lint trap, and wash clothes with cold water when possible.
4. DITCH TOXINS AND MAKE YOUR CLEANING ROUTINE CLEANER
Traditional cleaning products are often packed with chemicals that pollute indoor air and waterways. Luckily, making the switch to eco-friendly cleaners is easier than ever.
Look for products with plant-based ingredients and biodegradable packaging; you can find a list with my favorite non-toxic, vegan, and sustainable cleaning products in this link. Better yet, you can make a DIY cleaning product of your own using simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. They’re cheap, effective, and surprisingly satisfying to make.
Personally, I use one multipurpose spray for most surfaces, and I deep clean mixing vinegar, water, baking soda, and a few drops of essential oil. My apartment smells like a citrus grove, not a chemical lab.
5. REDUCE WASTE
One of the most important Rs of sustainability is REDUCE! Waste reduction is foundational to any sustainable lifestyle. Start by setting up a clear and simple recycling system at home—bins that are labeled and easy to access make all the difference. You can check my post on how to take your first steps towards a zero-waste home.
As I mentioned above, if your city doesn’t offer compost pickup, you can still compost in small spaces.
Also, say goodbye to single-use plastics wherever possible. Bring your own tote to the supermarket, refill water bottles, keep reusable containers handy, replace Ziploc bags for silicone bags, reusable coffee filters, etc. These simple swaps reduce waste and save money in the long run.
6. LET NATURE DO ITS THING
During the day, skip the overhead lights and open your curtains wide. Natural light not only cuts energy use but boosts your mood and supports better sleep cycles.
And as tempting as it is to blast the AC (believe me, I would know, living in Miami), try relying more on natural ventilation when possible. Crack open windows, use fans strategically, and wear seasonally appropriate clothes indoors. Same thing applies to air drying your clothes! You'll lower your bills and your energy footprint—win-win.
7. LET’S TALK WATER
Water-saving upgrades don’t require a landlord’s approval. You can easily install a low-flow showerhead and faucet aerators—they're affordable, simple to screw on, and help you cut down gallons per day.
Also, be mindful of habits: turn off the tap while brushing, fix leaky faucets, and run full loads when using your dishwasher or laundry machines. These small behavioral shifts have a huge impact over time.
In regards to drinking water, if you’re buying it in plastic bottles, please consider buying or installing a water filter, so you can reduce your environmental impact big time! Single-use plastic is the most important one to tackle from the go.
8. CHOOSE SUSTAINABLE FURNITURE AND DECOR
You don’t need to redecorate your apartment to live more sustainably—but when you do need a new piece, choose wisely. Opt for items made from reclaimed wood, bamboo, metal, or other sustainable materials. Look for eco-certifications and avoid fast furniture that ends up in landfills after a season.
Even better: shop second-hand. Thrift stores, online marketplaces, Facebook Marketplace, vintage spots—all of them offer unique finds with character and lower environmental cost. Upcycling is another fun way to turn something old into something uniquely yours. Another great way is to have hand-me-down furniture! If you have a friend (or a friend of a friend) moving away, or upgrading or downsizing, and they’re getting rid of their furniture, consider if it’s useful to you or someone you know.
9. BE A CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBER
Sustainable apartment living isn’t just about what happens inside your unit—it’s also about community. Get involved. Ask your building management about recycling programs or energy-saving initiatives. Advocate for composting or green cleaning in shared spaces.
You can also join local clean-ups, support climate-focused organizations, or simply have conversations with your neighbors. Collective action amplifies individual efforts.
10. MAKE YOUR CLOSET A SUSTAINABLE ONE
Similarly to choosing eco-friendly furniture, your closet is probably a big part of your apartment. Not in terms of size, but because it’s your connection to the outside world, a symbol of your personality, and also something that has a big impact on the environment.
One very important step to take if you want your wardrobe to be more sustainable, is to step away from fast fashion. I wrote this blog post on how to have a fast-fashion cleanse, which you may find useful. Embracing a slow fashion mindset, unsubscribing from fast fashion brands’ newsletters and social media, and making the most out of what you have, is a great way to start.
Also, if you’re investing in new clothes, try choosing classic clothes that you will love for years to come (no trendy stuff that will become obsolete next season), buy from sustainable brands or secondhand shops (you can thrift online in these platforms), and choose sustainable fabrics, as most of our clothes are made out of plastic.
There are so many ways to build a sustainable wardrobe, and I explain them in this post.
Last but not least, a crucial part of conscious fashion is taking care of the clothes you already have. This includes mending them instead of throwing them away, washing them according to their tag, as well as washing them as often as its needed (sometimes is less frequently than you think).
Living sustainably in an apartment is 100% possible—and incredibly empowering. You don’t need land or solar panels to make a real impact. With a few thoughtful changes and a willingness to learn, your small space can become a green sanctuary.
Remember: sustainability isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, curiosity, and building habits that align with your values. Start with what feels easy, stay consistent, and celebrate the wins—no matter how small.
If you found these tips helpful, share this post or leave a comment about your favorite apartment-friendly eco habit. If you’d like to read my future posts, please don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter! Let’s grow this green community, one conscious choice at a time.
Hi, I’m Melina,
I’m the creator of Sustainable Rookie, and my goal is to share what I learn throughout my sustainability journey, so that I can help other people live a more conscious life.
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