Despite the common idea that you need to be wealthy to really be green, there are many ways to both save money and be environmentally friendly. One of those ways, a personal favorite of mine, is buying used instead of new. Especially when you are buying books. Choosing to buy a used book rather than a new one saves a tree, lessens the impact from printing the book, and if you buy it from a local used book shop lowers the impact that shipping has on the environment.

But what about renting books? The Netflix CEO is taking the rental idea from movies to textbooks. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars buying new textbooks for a class you will only be in half the year you can now rent them for a fraction of the cost. It is definitely something I wish had been around when I was in college.

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I have found that cooking with your favorite guy or gal is a great way to spend time together and learn something new. Aaron and I tend to make a lot of whole grain pasta with chunky organic veggie sauce. Whole grain pasta is less processed than typical pasta and any foods made from grains rather than meat are less energy intensive to produce.

After this hearty meal you can rent a movie that you have both wanted to watch. Renting instead of buying is a way to share and re-use resources, in this case DVDs or tapes, as much as possible before they must be recycled or sent to a landfill. For us, renting is a particularly attractive option because theater tickets are so expensive these days and rental businesses definitely give us more choices. If you’re not keen on renting but want the same effect try Netflix or buying movies on iTunes.

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It seems that a lot of what is written about lighter living is targeted to homeowners.

How else would you install a solar electrical system? Or replace that rusty old gas water heater with efficient on-demand models? These are all great ideas, but not necessarily within reach of someone living in an apartment or under the terms of a leasing agreement.

Fortunately, there's a lot that can still be done to reduce your environmental footstep and create a healthier, more efficient living space — even if you're paying rent. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Go with CFLs

Even though they contain trace amounts of mercury and should be disposed-of properly, CFLs seem to be at the top of everyone's "green-up" list these days. Since light bulb replacement is usually the responsibility of the tenant, CFLs can be at the top of your list, too. Environmental bonus points if you leave the CFLs behind the next time you move. Check our Guide to Living with CFLs before you shop.

Weatherstrip doors and windows

You'll probably need clearance from your leasing agent to add or repair weatherstripping, but such requests are usually granted. $50 USD should take care of most apartments or small houses. The U.S. Department of Energy has a few tips here.

Indoor composting

Not having access to a yard doesn't mean you can't compost. Indoor composting machines use a small amount of power — about 10 watts — to rapidly turn everything from kitchen scraps to laundry lint into beautiful compost. NatureMill's automatic composter is a good example of a low-odor, high efficiency unit which will happily process up to five pounds of organic material a day. It yields every two weeks, leaving you high-quality compost for friends or your own projects.

Detoxify your living space

Apartments and rental homes are usually designed with costs, not toxins, in mind. Offgassing is a significant issue in homes with synthetic carpets, vinyl flooring, and and paints which contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Replace area rugs with wool or natural fiber equivalents. Consider a spray on sealer, such as the products made by AFM on wall-to-wall carpeting. Most renting agents will allow tenants to repaint. Recover your walls with a low-VOC paint such as safecoat. There are also low-VOC alternatives at most mainline paint stores. If you live in an area with lots of airborne dusts or molds, an air purification system might pay big health benefits.

Indoor houseplants also help clear the air and restore natural balance. Many renters do well with porch gardens or window boxes. A baker's rack makes a wonderful kitchen garden to grow and store herbs. Be creative!

Get organized

Talk to your landlord about the financial benefits of greening rental property. In many states, there are tax incentives for the addition of solar power or high-efficiency water heaters. Do your home work. If you happen to live in an apartment complex, knock on some doors and enlist neighborhood support. Greening your rental property is a win-win proposition for owner and tenant.