Things I would like to do to be green (but that my fiancé won't let medo)

Because we live together, we kind of have to agree about the routines we practice in such a small apartment. So, every time I come up with a great idea, I have to ask myself: Would Matt be willing to do this? This is a list of the things which haven't gotten his approval.

1. Create an old-school grey water system: I would like to plug the tub during showers to collect the water. Then the water could be used to flush the toilet -- all we would need is a bucket! Added benefit? Seeing (and feeling) all the water at the bottom of the tub would be an incentive to take shorter showers!

2. Vermicomposting: Because we are in such a small apartment with no green space, there isn't a good way to compost traditionally. But vermicomposting can take up much less space! I experimented with it back home and had a plastic bin the size of a shoe box for my precious worms. You just have to give them a well-balanced diet of newspaper, food scraps, and plant material and you gets some really rich dirt! And less compostable material in the landfill. It even takes a really short amount of time compared to traditional composting.

3. An Army of House Plants: Plants are incredibly good for the environment. While we cannot have a garden (again, the lack of green space), we could have lots of plants. They are the only pet that won't break our lease :D If I had my way, ever square inch of space in our apartment would be covered with air plants, cacti, and all manner of indoor-tolerant plant varieties. Sadly, Matt wouldn't appreciate living in a jungle.

4. Switching to cloth toilet paper: Matt likes toilet paper. I get it, we all use it, and then dispose of it. But tons of people use cloth diapers--what's wrong with using squares of material instead of paper, and then washing them? I understand his hesitation and I'm willing to wait until we have a washer/dryer in our own apartment (rather than a laundry facility) to make this change. But when we have kids, I will definitely be using cloth diapers and cloth toilet paper. And while I'm at it, cloth paper towels! There are awesome tutorials on the internet for absorbent cloths that snap together into the form of a roll of paper towels. When you want one, just unsnap a cloth instead of ripping. Then, once they get cleaned, just snap them all together and roll them up!

5. Sustainable energy: I would really love to have solar panels or a wind turbine. Alas, again, the small apartment. Someday though!

6. Organic veggies: Matt says the organic vegetables are too expensive at Publix and I totally get it. And the farmer's market is a bit far and on Saturdays when I just want to sleep in. Oh well. One dat it will happen!