Green living can be a challenge when your home is a rental property. Here are a few tips to make that apartment or condo more eco-friendly.

How do you lighten your carbon footprint at home, when you don't own your dwelling? Turns out, there are plenty of things you can do without peeving your landlord. The Hipsters enlist the help of Mr. Designer to provide a wealth of ideas for renters. Also, some much-needed rain falls on America's newest Fair Trade Town!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: You'd think any beer that pays tribute to a dog would be a winner with Val. Not so much. This offering from New Belgium Brewing in Colorado, one of the greenest breweries in the world, left us unimpressed. Mighty Arrow was a fine pooch, but an inferior hooch.

Chocolate: Our new favorite listener is Fonda in Missouri, who provided a couple of bars from Chocolatier Hachez. The 88% Premier Cru with cocoa nibs satisfied the chocolate snob in us with its smooth superiority.

Finds:

• Green caller. Samsung presents the first solar-powered, full-touch screen phone. Made from recycled water bottles with no toxic chemicals, the Blue Earth doesn't yet have a price or release date, so you can still pretend you might be able to afford it.
• How now, Cacao? Pack your bags for a new eco-luxury destination! Cacao Resorts in the Phillipines offer 5-star opulence with Energy Star-like amenities. Opens next year.
• Air apparent. Ever wonder if you live close to a major air polluter? Check Planet Hazard to get the lowdown on the lowlifes. Sorry, your neighbor with the leaf blower probably isn't listed.

• Bush, whacked. The Obama administration reverses W's global warming policies concerning mercury and coal emissions.
• Hear ye! Hear ye! We're proud to announce that our little hometown of Chico, CA is now a Fair Trade Town! This round of tea and chocolate is on us!

Power plants! If cold weather is keeping your windows shut tight, combat indoor air pollution with a few houseplants. They work in any space, rented or not, and some varieties are so tough, even Dori can't kill 'em!

It's tough to make eco-friendly changes to your living space when someone else owns it. Thanks to Charter Hipster Mr. Designer (Steve in NJ), we have several great tips for greening your flat or other rental property. We think your landlord will approve.

• Composting. You don't need a yard to compost kitchen scraps. Get an automatic composter, or start a worm bin under the sink.
• Drying clothes. Set up a drying rack on your balcony or spare bedroom. If space is limited, hang a clothesline across the length of the bathtub.
• Gardening. Plant veggies, flowers and herbs in outdoor containers or window sill boxes.
• Recycling. Set up a well-marked can in a common area, or go in with a few neighbors. Haul the stuff to the nearest recycling center and split the proceeds!
• Saving water. Replace inexpensive items like sink aerators and showerheads; just be sure to save the originals for when you move out. Also, try using a shower timer.
• Saving energy. Install CFL bulbs, and suggest replacing broken appliances with Energy Star models.

Be a part of our show! Send an e-mail to hip@greenfeet.com. And remember to post articles, links and your tips for green apartment-living at our MHTH forum!

• Midge in Oregon plans a family road trip to Disneyland. It's easy to be Green in Orange County!
• Michelle in New York sent an article about Chicago possibly banning the sale of BPA in some products.
• Patrick shared a cool story about potential replacements for plastic, including liquid wood.
• Liz in Iowa is searching for Sierra Nevada Torpedo, but it's always sold out. Hang in there...and have a beer with Ken Grossman!

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