Sustainability is such a hot topic at the moment and so it should be. We all need to try where we can to be more sustainable when we have the option. But it can be really hard at times, especially when it takes more effort. Although we know we shouldn’t, we find ourselves going for the easier option, which more often than not is a harmful choice for our environment. This is where sustainability apps come in so you and I don’t have the excuses.
Until one of the modules I did at university I hadn’t really thought about how there are apps which could help make sustainable choices easier. Especially when on the go an app can have all the information you need quickly, easily and in the palm of your hand.
Since then I’ve tried lots of different apps which can help me make those more sustainable choices. Here I have put together my top 10 sustainable apps which you should try on your phone.
It’s the simple choices we make throughout the day which can have the biggest impact on our environment.
Good On You
There are all these big brands out there claiming to be sustainable. But how sustainable really are they? Most of them need to be educated on what sustainability actually means and have a long way to go before they can start claiming they are being sustainable.
The Good On You app is a great information source to know whether a fashion brand is actually as sustainable as they say they are. You can use it to see where a company needs to improve to be more sustainable and what they are doing well at. I use it to make the right sustainable and ethical fashion choices.
Too Good To Go
The Too Good To Go app is an app I came across as a friend of mine did a whole presentation on it. The app is a local food collection service of food items which would otherwise go to waste usually from businesses such as supermarkets or other food outlets.
With apps like these you can’t be sure what you’ll get. The only way to find out is to give them a go. A friend was tight on money so went on the app and found a local shop getting rid of some vegetables. She got this incredible box of fresh vegetables for a few pounds. We were so impressed with it and did not expect for it to contain so much amazing quality food!
Each year 1/3 of food goes to waste. This app is just the beginning in helping to tackle this major issue. With these boxes you might get a bit of an idea what might be in them such as veg, pastries or bread etc. but you don’t know what’s exactly in them until you go and collect. It is a bit of pot luck but that’s part of the fun about it. Why not get creative with what you get in your box and maybe travel through food from home.
It is also a great money saving tip. As it would otherwise be waste you usually only spend a few pounds on a box which is worth a lot more. Having been a student I know how much this app could have helped me.
Why not get the app and see what’s going near you!
Ecosia
Ecosia is more of a search engine than an app but you can get it in app form. It is known as the search engine which plants trees.
If you search the internet using the Ecosia search engine whether on your mobile or other device the search ads generate income for Ecosia. They then use 80% of this income to plant trees where they are needed the most around the world.
This can be an easy change to make as you don’t really notice it. Instead of choosing the search engine you usually choose pick Ecosia instead. It’s also nice as you can see how your searches have helped plant trees.
Refill
Ever been out and about and needed to fill up your water bottle but couldn’t find somewhere safe to do so? Instead you go into a shop and buy a bottle of water which you’ll never use again? Well this app is here to the rescue.
The app Refill has over 30,000 free refill points located across the UK and elsewhere in the world. Just use your location to find the nearest refill station to you. You no longer need to buy single use water bottles and can instead know you’re filling up somewhere safe.
If you know of a refill point which isn’t on the app you can easily add it as a refill station for other users to find. This is why refill stations are being added all the time.
It is also great as the app tracks how many bottles each refill station has saved by people using the app. Helps you to feel even better about it.
Giki
The Giki app lets you know if the products you are buying are actually sustainable or not. In the palm of your hand you have all of this Information to help you to make the right decision.
For over 250,000 products it provides ethical and sustainability information. Up to 13 badges are awarded to products based on how ethical, sustainable or healthy they are.
It tells you things such as whether the product has been sourced sustainably or whether the packaging is sustainable.
Think Dirty
If you are into cosmetics and personal care this is one of the sustainability apps which you should take a look at. The Think Dirty App is basically a huge database for beauty products. It helps you to learn which ingredients are in a product so you can make better choices.
It doesn’t just help you make more environmental and ethical choices but also decide what is healthier for you skin. No more putting harmful chemicals on your skin before you know what they are.
OLIO
I love the OLIO app as it has such a community ethos. You connect with neighbours and local businesses so that surplus food can be shared and not thrown away.
It is super easy to use. You can browse what people have going spare, send a friendly message saying you’d like it and then just show up at an agreed place and time to collect your item. It’s that easy!
If you are the one with something to share you just need to take a picture and select a pickup location. Your item will then be available for other users to see on the app. If someone is interested you will be notified that they have requested the item and you can then look at that users profile, verifications and star ratings. If you are happy they just come to your pickup location for you to hand it to them.
Collectively within your community you can make a big change by helping each other out with this app. Not only can you get free food but you will be saving so much from landfill. You also may get to know a few neighbours and get a really good relationship going.
It is not just shop bought food which you can share on the app. It can also include things such home grown vegetables and other non-food household items.
GoodGuide
If you are anything like me you want to try and do whats ‘good’ for the world. This sustainability app is a bit like Giki but has much more variety in products. The GoodGuide includes categories such as food, beauty, baby care and pet food.
It currently has over 210,000 products on the app. Each one is given a rating on a scale for 1-10. This rating is based on its social, health and environmental impact. You can quickly look at its overall rating or you may choose to look at it in more detail.
Oroeco
Ever wondered what impact your actions are having on the world and not had a way to calculate it? Well with the Oroeco app you can track your climate footprint. You can see how every choice you are making in your every day life connects to global warming.
Not only can you use this sustainability app to calculate your climate footprint but you can also save money and earn rewards. You can be a part of a collective solution to global warming and inspire those who are around you.
Good Fish Guide
If you eat fish and would like to do so sustainably the Good Fish Guide app will give you advice on sustainable seafood wherever you may be.
Whether you are at home, at the supermarket or at a restaurant by using this app you have access to the latest information on seafood sustainability using the Good Fish Guide ratings. If you are offline or don’t have signal don’t worry. You will still have access to the information as it updates whenever you are connected to the internet.
These are just 10 sustainability apps which I have found to help me. There are though so many more out there which can help the planet but also save you time and money.
Let me know your thoughts on these sustainability apps and if there are any others you’d recommend!
Rebecca xx