Best Apps For Sustainable Living
Using technology to help you live more sustainably… yes, the future is here! It’s no secret… the earth is facing a climate emergency and it’s not slowing down.
We’re dealing with fossil fuels, biodiversity loss, deforestation, plastic pollution, air pollution, food waste, food and water insecurity, fast fashion, and textile waste. All of these major environmental problems are contributing to our world undergoing global warming.
It might seem like the solutions are beyond the reach of the individual, but they’re not. There are many things you can do to live a more sustainable life.
Choosing where your attention goes and voting with your wallet is important in holding big brands accountable. Living more sustainably can look different for everyone. It can be using reusable shopping bags, having meatless days, shopping local, going thrifting, or biking to work.
It’s not enough to “one day” be more eco-friendly. Future generations depend on today’s actions.
Overwhelmed and wondering how you’re supposed to make a difference? You’re not on your own. These 13 apps help put the future of sustainability in your hands, literally!
1. Oroeco
Oroeco wants to create a platform where people can be empowered to lead sustainable lifestyles. Their aim is to connect the youth in a climate movement by making it fun and easy to help solve climate change.
Ever wondered how your daily purchases and lifestyle decisions are affecting your carbon footprint? This app allows users to track and calculate their carbon value.
Things such as retail purchases, food choices, energy consumption, and travel are all taken into account. Users are able to compare with friends and families, and even earn badges for their positive environmental impacts.
2. ThredUp
ThredUp believes in educating and solving the fashion waste crisis through rejecting throwaway fashion culture and embracing thrifting. By creating an online consignment shop and thrift store, this app has managed to modernize the resale experience.
This app allows users to buy second-hand clothing, or sell clothing they no longer need or wear. Essentially you’ll have a thrift store in the palm of your hands The company is a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation which supports the growth of the circular economy. ThredUp also hosts a RaaS platform that unites big retailers, such as Gap and Hollister, in service of a circular cycle for the future of fashion.
3. iHuerting
Love plants but just can’t seem to turn your brown thumb into a green one? iHuerting is an app that helps over 50,000 worldwide users take care of their gardens, it’s their handheld personalized expert.
This app reminds users to water and fertilize their plants, helps identify pests, and provides tips and tricks for growing a thriving garden. iHuering uses phone notifications, an extensive plant database, and an engaging user experience to make gardening fun. Their goal is to make the world a greener and more sustainable place, one garden at a time.
4. Olio
Olio is dedicated to building a more sustainable future by tackling the massive food waste crisis that the world is facing today. This app allows users to make items available on the app for pick-up.
Users can browse the nearby available listings, request items, and arrange a pick-up. Items could be anything from unsold pastries at a bakery, to a bottle of lotion. By connecting neighbors with each other and local businesses, Olio provides the opportunity for surplus food and unused items to be shared and not thrown away.
5. Ecosia
Do you think it’s possible to plant trees simply by searching the web? With Ecosia it is!
Ecosia is a free browser extension that uses the profit made from user searches to plant trees in areas where they are needed most. After downloading the extension, users don’t have to do anything except continue their regular online activities.
Search ads generate income and Ecosia uses that income to plant trees. Planting trees creates happy environments, healthy people, and a strong economy. So far over 145 million trees have been planted thanks to Ecosia.
6. Bikemap
Bikemap was started by passionate cyclists who wanted to share their favorite routes, now it is the world’s biggest user-generated cycling route collection. Their goal is to empower cyclists by providing them with an easy way to discover and access the most suitable route for their needs.
A massive database right in your pocket! The eco-friendly benefits of cycling include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, and more room for green space development.
7. Too Good To Go
Too Good To Go strives to eliminate food waste by providing an easy way for local stores to hand off surplus food. So far they’ve already saved 121 million meals from being thrown away.
The app allows users to search their map to find restaurants, cafes, and shops that have unsold food. Users can then buy the food through the app, and collect it at a pre-set time.
Every food bag that is picked up saves 2.5kg of CO2 emissions! Too Good To Go works with schools, businesses, public affairs, and households to inspire everyone to take action against food waste.
8. Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals provides news and highlights sustainability goals on the most pressing issues facing the world today. The app allows users to access detailed information about the latest sustainable development news and innovations.
Users can create and join initiatives in their community, register their actions, and get suggestions on how they can get involved. Sustainable Development Goals is in collaboration with governments, the private sector, and civil society to push efforts in ending poverty, addressing inequality, and tackling climate change.
9. PaperKarma
PaperKarma is an award-winning app that works to build a sustainable, zero-waste planet by reducing the waste of paper junk mail. The app allows users to automatically unsubscribe from junk mail, unwanted catalogs, and opt-out from direct mailings and marketing distribution lists.
The app has a database of over 100,000 mailers and marketing lists that users can opt-out of. It’s a great option for users who value a zero-waste, sustainable lifestyle. ParperKarma helps people save trees and positively impact the environment by reducing waste, one letter at a time!
10. JouleBug
JouleBug is an award-winning app that is committed to helping people form healthier, more sustainable habits. From opting for a cold wash, shopping local, or biking to work, the app organizes sustainability tips into actions.
The app allows users to complete actions that relate to wellness and sustainability, rack up points, engage in challenges, and share their goals and progress with a team to encourage accountability. JouleBug has also created an Enterprise platform where companies and organizations can create a private social network. They can then use this network to make team challenges and work together to improve the planet.
11. Tap
Tap is the world’s first search engine for finding clean, drinkable water. This worldwide map for drinking water stations and drinking fountains makes the fight against plastic easier for all.
The app allows users to load a map of their surroundings on their phone, and search for nearby free, clean water. Users can filter the options to include drinking fountains, counter service, water containers, water coolers, or water ATMs.
Participating restaurants and cafes can display their affiliation in windows. Tap encourages sustainability through the use of refillable water bottles and takes a stand against companies trying to package water and sell it back to consumers.
12. HowGood
HowGood is the world’s largest product sustainability database of food and personal care products.
Have you ever wondered whether your food is sustainable, wholesome, and honest? This app allows users to search or scan products to quickly see assessments and ratings for over 200,000 products. Ratings are given based on three categories; Growing Guidelines, Processing Practices, and Company Conduct.
Users can easily determine which items are environmentally friendly, minimally processed, and ethically produced. HowGood provides solutions for brands, retailers, and restaurants, helping them improve their environmental and social impact.
13. Think Dirty
Think Dirty empowers consumers who care about ingredients by helping them choose the safest beauty, personal, and household products. By providing easy-to-understand information, this app takes the guesswork out of understanding labels.
The app allows users to scan barcodes or search by ingredient, from a database of over 850,000 cosmetics and personal care products. An overall rating is provided for each product to make things simple to understand.
Users can buy products directly from the app from a number of retailers. Think Dirty allows users to buy from and promote good companies that are using non-toxic ingredients.
