Easy Ways To Live A Greener Existence
- Guides
- September 12, 2026
- Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
We all want to live a bit greener, don’t we? Green living tips can help renters, students, and Austin residents save energy, reduce waste, and make small daily choices that are better for the environment. You help the environment, and you help your wallet. Here are a few steps you can take in your daily life to have a greener day. Some are obvious, but others are not as much.
Don’t drive so fast
Although driving at high speed isn’t bad in and of itself (in fact, most cars get better mpg going highway speeds than in stop-and-go in the city). Accelerating too quickly or not allowing gravity to do the work on hills can use gas unnecessarily. Say, for example, if you’re approaching a slight downward slope towards a red light, release the gas pedal. Doing so will allow gravity to pull your car toward the sun, saving your gas and saving your brakes.
Try public transportation, or biking
Taking the bus every day to work or school can be tough, but that’s not the only way to save some gas! Why not use your bike when you’re picking up your takeout? Why not ride your bike to the convenience store? Try biking around when you’re meeting up with friends (in fact, UT West Campus in Austin is a great place to start because of the neighborhood, non-major roads). Taking your bike on short trips may convince you to start making your bike farther and farther, saving money, gas, and the environment. Then, on those rainy days, revert to the bus.
P.S. Living as near as you can to where you work or go to school makes doing these two much more accessible. Plus, if you need to drive, being closer means less gas.
These green lifestyle tips are simple for students and renters because they reduce short car trips while helping save money on gas.
Always recycle
It’s a no-brainer: putting items in recycling saves them from the landfill and allows their materials to be reused and recycled in remarkable new ways.
Turn up your A/C when you leave your home
This one requires some thoughtfulness because our A/C is often the last thing on our minds when we’re leaving home in the morning. What do you usually set your home temperature either day or night at 76? 72? Try this: when you leave your home, set the temperature 7-10 degrees higher than what you often set it to. You’re not there anyway. Why spend all that money and energy to cool an empty home? You can just as quickly set it back to your preferred temperature when you get back and have a comfortable, freshly-cooled, and newly-circulated home.
P.S. Having some plants and a fan, or two, can aid in the feeling of coolness in the home. It allows you to leave your home at a higher temperature even when you are there and save more money.
This is one of the easiest sustainable living tips for renters because it helps lower energy use without changing your whole routine.
Go outside for your fun
One of the best things you can do for the environment is to be healthy and outside. When you’re out, you’re not spending energy running electronics, cooling your home, or wasting energy at all! Not to mention, the more you do it, the more fun it becomes. Find creative ways to be outdoors, all while raising your awareness of environmental issues.
Try a vegan, or vegetarian meal
The United Nations has said that livestock and meat production now produces more greenhouse gases than transportation. That’s more than planes, trains, and automobiles combined. Imagine what an impact we can all have by adding a meatless day, or meal, to our week. If you like it, you can even try going vegan or vegetarian. Plus, with all the great veggie options in UT West Campus and Downtown, why not try a new restaurant?
Food choices are also part of green living tips because small meal changes can reduce waste and support a more eco-friendly routine.
Renters who want easier access to campus areas, parks, bike routes, and daily errands can also compare Central Austin apartment locations from The Westside Group.
Overall, these green living tips are meant to help Austin residents save energy, reduce waste, spend time outside, and make practical daily choices.
FAQs About Green Living Tips
What are simple green living tips for daily life?
Simple green living tips include recycling, biking or using public transportation, saving energy at home, spending more time outdoors, and choosing more eco-friendly meals when possible.
How can students live greener in Austin?
Students can live greener in Austin by walking, biking, using public transportation, recycling, saving energy, reducing waste, and choosing nearby places for food, school, and errands.
Can green living tips help save money?
Yes. Green living habits such as biking, using less energy, cooking at home, and reducing waste can help lower daily costs over time.
Is biking or public transportation useful for greener living?
Yes. Biking and public transportation can reduce fuel use, lower transportation costs, and make daily travel more eco-friendly.
Where can renters explore apartments near greener lifestyle options?
Renters who want to stay close to parks, campus areas, bike routes, and daily errands can explore West Campus, Hyde Park, North Campus, and Central Austin apartment locations managed by The Westside Group.
The Westside Group
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