You have your compost pile started, your eco-friendly laundry detergent delivered, LED bulbs screwed in, and reusable canvas shopping bag slung over your shoulder. Now where’s your phone? Despite how we may complain about how dependent we are on our gadgets, making more sustainable choices has never been easier thanks to green-lifestyle apps that are literally just a swipe away. These pocket-sized tools can track your daily habits, provide eco-friendly alternatives, and guide you toward a more sustainable life.
So, embrace the digital age with these awesome sustainability-minded apps and make more conscious choices for both your health and the planet.
Olio: The Sharing is Caring App
Olio is all about cutting down on waste and supporting a circular economy. One of the top sustainability apps out there, Olio connects everyone from neighbors to local businesses to share surplus food and other items. Perhaps you need a ladder for a project, but you don’t want to buy something you’ll only use every once in a while. Olio connects people with borrowed items, like ladders, in this case. You can also make a post requesting a certain item, scroll through what’s available to borrow, and take advantage of things people are getting rid of for free. The app does not ask for money. Rather, it’s a free, community-based marketplace for borrowing and giving away. However, the Olio app is most popular for excess food. If you have food that might go to waste, you can conveniently share it with someone nearby who needs it.
Ecosia: The Search Engine that Plants Trees
The first of its kind, Ecosia is a favorite for sustainability-minded green warriors. Search up what you’re looking for, click on a link, and help plant a tree in the process. It works similarly to Google, but with 100% of its profits used to plant trees, restore biodiversity, and produce enough renewable energy to power all Ecosia searches twice over. You can download the Ecosia app to use for mobile searches, and it can also be installed as your primary browser on your laptop or computer. This is another easy way to start making a positive impact, one Internet search at a time.
Good on You: The App for Ethical and Sustainable Fashion
See if your favorite clothing brand is greenwashing or if their environmental practices are legit with the Good on You app. This eco app is designed to help you shop better by discovering the best sustainable clothing brands, the fabrics that make a difference, and the ones to avoid. It’s no secret that the global fashion industry has many flaws. From overconsumption and low-quality materials to fast fashion trends and landfills of new clothes, finding brands with your sustainable values can be tricky. Luckily, the Good on You app makes your research a lot easier.
Forest: The Mindful, Productivity App
Forest is a productivity app that also encourages you to be mindful of your phone usage. It’s the app for those who can’t stop checking their phone and need a little support living in the moment or focusing on tasks at hand. Plus, you can plant virtual trees that grow while you stay focused on your tasks. And those virtual trees become real trees, too. The Forest app partners with Trees for the Future to plant real trees, helping to combat deforestation while keeping you productive.
Think Dirty: The Clean Beauty App
Think Dirty is an amazing sustainable living app that helps you make better purchases when shopping for beauty and personal care products. No more fooling with confusing ingredient lists. This app lets you scan product barcodes to learn about the ingredients in your beauty and personal care products. The app makes it easy. It rates products based on their potential toxicity, helping you choose safer, more eco-friendly options. It will alert you of problems and guide you to cleaner choices. If you want to learn more about harmful ingredients in skincare, see our guide on clean beauty.
JouleBug: The Sustainability App for Businesses
JouleBug is designed for businesses and employees to reach their company’s sustainability goals. It uses a fun approach with different activities and goals to motivate employees. Users earn points for activities like recycling, biking instead of driving, and conserving energy. They can work as a team or as individuals with the choice of more than 70 measurable sustainability actions. If you’re a business owner and looking for fun ways to integrate your sustainability goals, this is a fantastic app to consider.
Giki Zero: The App to Cut Emissions
Curious about your carbon footprint? After answering some questions, the Giki Zero app will show you your estimated carbon footprint and ways you can lower it. They have sustainable alternatives for different lifestyles and budgets, making it easy to cut down your carbon emissions. Every little bit counts with the app! You can also track your progress and join a community to stay motivated as you make conscious changes to your habits.
My Green Lab: The App For the Science Nerds
If you work in a scientific field or do any lab work, My Green Lab is a must-have. It helps labs become more sustainable by tracking energy use and waste.
Zero Waste Home: Cut the Waste, Keep the Style
If you’re striving for a zero-waste lifestyle, this app helps you track your waste and provides tips on how to reduce it. It will guide you away from single-use coffee cups — without the guilt.
EcoBuddy: Your Personal Green Concierge
Think of EcoBuddy is like a personal assistant for your sustainable lifestyle. It tracks your habits, nudges you toward more green-minded practices — and never takes a vacation.
Who says your phone won’t make you more environmentally conscious? These sustainability apps offer powerful tools to guide you towards more eco-friendly habits and help you make a positive impact on the environment and your community. Download a few of these and start your journey towards a greener life today — one app at a time.