How to Create a Green Living Guide for Your Tenants

Many people are making environmental care and eco-friendliness a priority right now. Green living is a lifestyle focused on reducing one’s impact on the environment by making more sustainable choices. Today, we’re reviewing what it means to live “green,” why it matters, and how to create a Green Living Guide for your tenants. 

Contents of This Article: 

• What Is Green Living?
• Why Is Green Living Becoming More Important?
• Creating a Green Living Guide for Tenants
• Keep Your Rentals Healthy With BMG

What Is Green Living?

Green living is a lifestyle that can be adopted by anyone looking to live a more sustainable life. If you’re “green living”, you’re creating habits that help minimize resource consumption, waste production, and pollution. Whether you’re a landlord, tenant, or property manager in Northern Virginia, there are several things you can do to live more sustainably, including the following.

• Energy Efficiency– Using energy-efficient appliances and choosing renewable energy sources like solar or wind helps to reduce unnecessary energy use.
• Water Conservation- Efficient water fixtures, mindful usage, and practices like shorter showers or turning the sink off while brushing your teeth help minimize water waste.
• Waste Reduction- Recycling, composting, and choosing reusable items over disposable ones help reduce waste and limit landfill contributions.
• Eco-Friendly Products- Choosing more sustainable, non-toxic, and biodegradable cleaning and personal care products helps reduce waste and create a healthier environment.
• Sustainable Transportation- Choosing more eco-friendly transportation options, such as biking, walking, carpooling, or using public transit, helps reduce emissions.
• Mindful Consumption- Purchasing locally sourced food, secondhand goods, or items with minimal packaging are all ways to be more sustainable.

Why Is Green Living Becoming More Important?

Green living is becoming increasingly more important as awareness of environmental issues grows in the United States. These issues have a huge impact on the planet and the well-being of human life, so it’s important to recognize them and make changes as necessary. 

One driving factor behind green living is the rising demand for water, energy, and raw materials due to population growth. As such, sustainable practices help conserve these resources, ensuring they remain available for future generations. 

Additionally, reducing waste and pollution is another main concern. Taking action to work toward waste and pollution reduction helps benefit ecosystems, wildlife, and communities. After all, minimizing waste, recycling, and using sustainable products helps protect the air, soil, and water quality. 

Another reason more people are adopting a “green” lifestyle is because it can help save money. Energy-efficient appliances, water-saving efforts, and sustainable transportation options help reduce your monthly bills and other costs over time. 

Creating a Green Living Guide for Tenants

If you’re passionate about living in a healthier environment, you’ll want to incorporate that into your job as a landlord. Why not spread the word? One of the best things you can do is encourage your tenants to make small changes toward a more sustainable environment. By creating a Green Living Guide, you can give tenants tips on making daily life more sustainable. Here’s what to include in a comprehensive guide. 

Energy Efficiency Tips

Heating and Cooling Tips

• Encourage tenants to keep windows closed when using heat or air conditioning and ensure furniture isn’t blocking vents. 
• Switch ceiling fans to spin clockwise to push warm air downward during winter, and use draft stoppers under doors.
• Invest in a programmable thermostat and allow tenants to set the temperature so heating or cooling is minimized when they’re away. 

Energy Efficient Lighting and Appliances

• Recommend using LED lightbulbs, which last longer and use less energy than traditional bulbs. 
• Encourage tenants to turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.
• Use energy-efficient appliances, whether it’s a dishwasher, oven, or toaster. 
• Tell tenants to wait until they have a full load to run the dishwasher or laundry machines. 

Simple Ways to Save Energy

• Encourage simple and easy ways to save energy, like unplugging appliances when they’re not in use. 

Water Conservation Efforts

Water-Saving Fixtures and Appliances

• Install water-saving showerheads and faucets if they aren’t already in place. 
• Invest in low-flow toilets.
• Encourage tenants to adjust the washer’s load setting to match their laundry load size. 

Mindful Water Usage

• Encourage tenants to take shorter showers and turn off the water when they brush their teeth. 

Report Leaks

• Test your toilet and sinks for leaks at least once a year. 
• Ensure tenants report any leaks immediately to prevent water waste and potential damage.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Recycling Guidelines

• Explain the local recycling rules, including which items can and cannot be recycled.
• Provide the proper receptacles for recyclable items.
• Tell tenants where to recycle certain items, like phones, electronics, light bulbs, batteries, etc. 

Buy Reusable Products 

• Promote reusable bags, bottles, and containers instead of disposable ones. 

Composting

• If applicable, offer a composting option for your rental property or provide information on local composting services. 

Purchasing and Product Recommendations

Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies

• Suggest purchasing eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products that are safer for them and the environment. 
• Keep it simple by cleaning with non-toxic products like vinegar, baking soda, or cleaning solutions that are third-party, green-label certified. 

Sustainable Product Swaps

• Recommend sustainable alternatives like biodegradable trash bags, bamboo paper towels, and recycled paper products. 

Sustainable Transportation

Public Transportation Options

• Provide tenants with information on nearby public transportation routes and schedules.

Promote Biking or Walking

• Encourage tenants to bike or walk when they have to go somewhere. 
• Provide any applicable local laws regarding bicycle riders. 
• Remind them to lock their bikes when not in use, so they don’t get stolen.

Carpooling Resources

• Consider providing resources or apps for tenants interested in carpooling options. 

Keep Your Rentals Healthy With BMG

Creating a Green Living Guide for your tenants is a great way for both of you to participate in a healthier lifestyle. Giving them the information they need to become more sustainable is a great first step. If you want to take it a step further, you can even provide incentives for adopting some of the practices or tips listed in your guide. 

Need a property management team to help keep your rentals healthy? Look no further than Bay Property Management Group. Our team of dedicated property managers can help ensure your rentals are well-maintained and your tenants are cared for 24/7. Contact us today to learn more about our services throughout Baltimore, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC.