7 Eco Friendly Apps To Make Your Life Greener

Want to make your life greener? These eco friendly apps can surely help!

By Renee Nat

Making time to consider the environment in your daily schedule isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s just simpler and less time consuming to ignore your better judgment and throw that tuna can in the garbage or pick-up that cheap, drugstore lip gloss.

Luckily, 21^st century technology can help ease your way into better, environmentally conscious habits. A number of eco  apps for smartphones have been designed to inform and advise overwhelmed consumers who are looking to make smarter choices.

What Are Sustainable Apps?

If you’re wondering what eco friendly apps even are, we’d define them as apps that promote environmental awareness and sustainable living. There are lots to choose from!

For example, these could include:

• Energy consumption trackers
• Information about food or product ingredients
• Finders of local farmer’s markets
• Locations of zero waste and other eco friendly shops

But the best part? sometimes, these apps can also connect you with like-minded people! Basically, these kinds of apps help you do something you probably do frequently, like eat or shop. Only they help you do so more sustainably.

Here below, we’ve picked our top eco friendly apps that we think are truly are changing the way we buy and think when it comes to beauty products, clothes and sustainable living.

7 Green Apps To Download Now

1. Think Dirty

What toxins are lurking on your bathroom shelf? This is one of the best eco friendly apps to encourage you to start scanning barcodes and discover for yourself how many harmful ingredients are hidden in your beauty products. Think Dirty rates products from one to ten, with ten representing those with serious long-term health impacts. It also breaks down items by ingredient, listing health risks thanks to sources like the David Suzuki Group and the Environmental Working Group.

A quick search of few of my skincare products made for some unpleasant revelations. For instance, I was shocked to learn my Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil scored an 8. Not exactly what I was expecting from the self-professed natural brand. It turns out two chemical ingredients linked to the lip balm’s fragrance were the problem.

Even more shockingly, my Satsuma Body Butter from The Body Shop scored a terrible 10 due to the fact that it contains a known hormone carcinogen – I guess Eluxe was quite right in listing the Body Shop as one of those stores you think of as being natural – but really isn’t!

Needless to say, after reading the lists of nasty ingredients I am ready to make some changes. The nice part is  that ‘Think Dirty’ helps you with that too: after evaluating your product, it offers a list of more eco-friendly alternatives. There are just over 14,000 products listed as part of the app’s database, and while it may not be all encompassing, you’re also invited to submit new products to be rated.

One of the best eco friendly apps for: Clean beauty addicts – even those who think they’re already in the know!

 

 

2. Good On You

Good On You’s app is your go-to for checking in on the sustainability and ethics of your any fashion brand you’re thinking of purchasing.

They have now reviewed over 3,000 brands, so no matter what new top, shoes or coat you have in mind, you’ll likely find its maker here. Using the app, you can also discover alternative ethical and sustainable fashion brands that will make you look fab and feel even better.

One of the best eco friendly apps for: Conscious fashionistas.

 

3. iRecycle

This is one of those eco friendly apps that makes it impossible to find an excuse not to recycle. Can’t figure out what to do with used hair colouring kits? Batteries? Or coffee grinds? iRecycle tell you where to go and what to do.

For example, I needed to get rid of my old computer speakers and the app quickly provided me with the phone number, address and list of accepted materials of a few different locations nearby where I could donate or recycle them. For things like hair spray aerosol cans or hair dyes, the app advised me to head for my local household hazardous waste drop-off centre.

On occasion, unable to find somewhere close by, the app would suggest a service in a different country. Clearly, jumping in a car and driving for hundreds of kilometers is not an eco-friendly option. So while I may not always be able to recycle all of my garbage, this handy app is a reminder that, in most cases, it can and should be done.

One of the best eco friendly apps for: Those who love recycling EVERYTHING – the right way!

4. Olio

Food waste is a serious issue. But luckily, there’s an easy solution!

The Olio app was created to redistribute food. And so far, they’ve done so for over a whopping 200 million meals!

Here’s how it works. App users search for food near them that other users don’t want or will otherwise be throwing out soon. Then you go and pick it up. Simple!

This is a great app for those who are on a serious budget. But you can also use it if you’ve had a major event – or even just a work meeting – where there’s been an excess of food.

But that’s not all! Using Olio, you can also lend and borrow everyday household items so you don’t need to buy new products you might only use once or twice. Great!

One of the best eco friendly apps for: Getting rid of too much food from big events; finding food when you’re on a strictly low budget.

 

5. Ecosia

If, like us, you believe that Google is evil on a stick, then you need to download Ecosia!

Ecosia is a search engine that gets you the info you need, just like Google. The difference is? It doesn’t spy on you. It’s not funded by the Pentagon. AND it uses its profits to plant trees!

That’s right — by searching the web like you always do, you can help plant trees which sequester carbon and benefit the environment.

It’s a brilliantly simple concept, and the company has already planted tens of millions of trees. Download the app, then go ahead and make Ecosia your default search engine (and maybe even your homepage). Once you’ve made the switch, something as simple as web browsing can become an eco-friendly activity!

One of the best eco friendly apps for: Tree lovers who want to make the world a greener place – without even trying!

6. Freecycle

No matter which city or town you live in, there’s probably a Freecycle group near you. Which is great, because with this app, you can not only get rid of all your unused/unwanted big ticket items – like tables, bed frames and artwork, for example – but you can also find stuff you need. For no cost!

Just post your item (or enter a search word if you’re seeking something). Then set your location, and see who matches your needs. There’s bound to be someone!

One of the best eco friendly apps for: Cleaning out your closet; finding stuff for free.

Image credit: JuliaPerales.com

7. Thread Up

Don’t waste it – wear it! That’s the philosophy behind Thread Up. This is an app that enables thrifting and selling secondhand items. You’ll find all your favourite brands here, since there are hundreds of new listings to be found every day.

And of course, if you have a closet that’s just bursting, this is also one of the best sustainable apps to sell any unwanted clothing or accessories you may have.

We particularly love how moms can find – and sell – clothing for kids here. They grow so fast!

One of the best eco friendly apps for: Keeping the clothing economy circular.

PS: Looking for one of the best eco friendly apps specifically for vegans? Check these out! 

And if you want an app to help identify GMO foods, this article is for you!

What are some of your favourite eco friendly apps? Let us know in the comments, below!