Best Sustainability Apps For Your Phone

As a mom of three, I’m always on the lookout for ways to teach my kids about sustainability, and what better way to do it than through something they (and let’s be honest, I) love – our phones.

There’s an app for everything these days, including a bunch that can help us be more eco-friendly.

So, I’ve scoured the digital world and found the best sustainability apps for your phone.

1. JouleBug

JouleBug is an interactive app that turns sustainable living into a game. It’s perfect for teaching my kids (and reminding myself) about simple actions that can make a big difference. We compete to see who can save more water or turn off more lights – it’s a win-win for everyone!

2. ThreadUp

As a mom, I know how quickly kids outgrow their clothes. ThreadUp is a godsend for this. It’s a fashion resale website that makes shopping for secondhand clothes a breeze. Plus, I can sell the clothes my kids have outgrown. It’s a great way to teach them about the value of recycling and reusing.

3. Good On You

This app is all about ethical fashion. Good On You gives ratings to brands based on their sustainability, labor rights, and animal welfare. It’s a great tool to teach my kids about conscious consumerism, and it helps me make better choices when I’m shopping for new clothes for the family.

4. Ecosia

Ecosia is a search engine app that plants trees with its ad revenue. Just by doing my usual internet searches, I’m helping the environment. I’ve made it the default search engine on all our devices. It feels good knowing that our everyday actions are contributing to a greener planet.

5. Well.ca

Well.ca is a one-stop-shop for all things eco-friendly, from household products to personal care. I find it super convenient for stocking up on sustainable products for the family, and it’s a great place to add affiliate links.

6. HappyCow

As someone trying to incorporate more plant-based meals into our diet, HappyCow has been a lifesaver. It helps me find vegan and vegetarian restaurants wherever we go. It’s also great for discovering new recipes that the kids will actually eat.

7. Olio

Olio connects neighbors to share food and other items, rather than throwing them away. It’s like a virtual food-sharing community. I love using it to find local goodies or to give away things we don’t need anymore.

8. Think Dirty

Think Dirty helps me understand the ingredients in personal care and beauty products. It’s been eye-opening to learn about what goes into the products we use daily. I use it to make healthier choices for my family.

9. Giki

Giki is a badge app that helps identify sustainable and ethical products. I use it while shopping to quickly check how eco-friendly a product is. It’s like having a little eco-conscious angel on my shoulder.

10. Too Good To Go

This app lets you buy unsold food from restaurants and stores at a discounted price. It’s a fantastic way to save money and reduce food waste. My kids love the surprise element of not knowing what we’ll get.

What are Sustainability Apps?

Sustainability apps are mobile applications designed to help individuals and organizations reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable living. These apps cover a wide range of functionalities and purposes, each addressing different aspects of sustainability. Some common features and types of sustainability apps include:

  1. Carbon Footprint Trackers: These apps calculate your carbon footprint based on factors like travel habits, energy consumption, and food choices. They often offer tips to reduce your carbon footprint and sometimes allow you to offset it through various means.
  2. Energy Consumption Monitors: These apps connect to your home or office energy systems to monitor electricity, water, and gas usage. They provide insights into your consumption patterns and suggest ways to reduce usage and save costs.
  3. Recycling and Waste Management: Apps in this category help users understand what can be recycled and how. They might include features like barcode scanning to determine the recyclability of products and guides for proper waste disposal.
  4. Sustainable Shopping Guides: These apps focus on promoting sustainable consumer habits. They might include directories of eco-friendly products, ethical brands, and second-hand or thrift stores. They can also provide information about the environmental impact of different products.
  5. Public Transportation and Carpooling: Apps that encourage the use of public transportation, carpooling, or other eco-friendly transport options to reduce individual carbon emissions.
  6. Eco-Challenges and Gamification: Some sustainability apps use gamification to encourage eco-friendly habits. They might set challenges, track progress, and reward users for sustainable actions.
  7. Educational Resources: Apps that provide information and resources on sustainability topics, including climate change, biodiversity, and eco-friendly living practices.
  8. Green Event Planners: These apps assist in planning events in an eco-friendly manner, focusing on minimizing waste and promoting sustainable practices.
  9. Local Produce and Farmers Markets Locators: Apps that help users find local, organic, and sustainably-produced food options, supporting local farmers and reducing the carbon footprint associated with food transportation.
  10. Community Engagement Platforms: Apps that connect like-minded individuals interested in sustainability, allowing them to share tips, participate in community projects, and collaborate on environmental initiatives.

Incorporating these apps into our daily lives has not only made us more conscious of our environmental impact, but it’s also brought a lot of fun and learning into our daily routine.

Plus, it’s always a good feeling to know you’re contributing to a more sustainable planet. If you’re a parent looking to instill these values in your kids, give these apps a try.

You might be surprised at how much you can learn and change, one app at a time.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *