Let’s Talk Eco Apps Worth Downloading

Smartphone apps are an easy way to stay connected, informed, and obviously have some fun too.  Since 83% of Canadian households own an active cell phone (Statistics Canada), it only makes sense that individuals and organizations are using technology to reach their consumer-base. It has never been easier to lead a green lifestyle than it is today by getting the most out of your App Store.  I’m very excited to share with you my list of free eco-apps that have been really helpful to me!

Here is my list of the best eco-apps worth downloading:

 

Waze – The world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app

My brother loves this app! Waze keeps you informed about traffic jams and slow-downs in your area by connecting drivers to one another. This app works by using GPS to navigate your trip based on information from other users. Users can share road reports on accidents or any other hazards along the way to help out other drivers. Waze can also save you money by navigating you to the cheapest gas station on your route! Waze is using its platform to work with AMBER Alerts to help with child abductions!

https://www.waze.com/

Locavore – Tasty, local produce

To all my farmers’ market lovers! Locavore shows you what produce is currently in season, what local produce those around you are eating, and the location of farms and farmers’ markets in your area. Buying local food is so important, especially because so much of the foods we buy at our grocery stores are transported from all over the world, which uses up our resources and contributes greatly to pollution.

iRecycle – Ways to recycle near you

I haven’t tried this app out yet, but I knew it needed to be on my list because there have been countless times when I’ve been unsure whether I can recycle something or not. If you’re like me, then you would probably find this app very useful! iRecycle gives you instructions and locations for the how and where of recycling. It has over 1,500,000 ways to recycle over 350 materials. By using your location, it can identify a recycling solution near you.

http://irecycle.com/

GoodGuide – Find safe, healthy, eco-friendly products

For those of you who spend countless hours googling the ingredients of certain products to determine if they are safe to use – this app will save you so much time! Use the GoodGuide app when you shop to find out whether products are safe, healthy and socially responsible. GoodGuide scientists rate products on a scale of 0 to 10 for their health, environment, and social impact. This app also lists the ingredients, the health and environmental effects, the resource use of over 250,000 products. It has a variety of categories from food, to baby products, to household cleaners.

http://www.goodguide.com/

Cruelty-Free – Find products not tested on animals

Have you ever bought a new lipstick or make-up product only to find out after that it was tested on animals? Use this app to search cosmetic, personal care, and household product companies to see which are cruelty-free! This shopping guide lists over 200 U.S. and Canadian companies that don’t test ingredients, formulations, or finished products on animals.

Rippl – Green living tips

This is one of my favourite apps because I love learning about new, green living tips. I’ve learned so many cool things with this app and it’s definitely worth the download for the enviro-newbies!  Rippl by the Ocean Conservancy helps you make simple, sustainable lifestyle choices by delivering weekly green living tips.  By following these tips, Rippl can help you save money and transform your habits into a healthier lifestyle. You can set customizable alerts, such as having a Rippl reminder to bring your reusable bags when you go grocery shopping. You can set goals and track your progress, and also suggest your own tips to the Rippl community!

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/do-your-part/rippl.html

Seafood Watch – Stop overfishing, eat sustainably

Seafood Watch recommends which seafood to buy or avoid by helping you choose items that are fished or farmed in ways that have less impact on the environment. This app is really important to me because overfishing is a global problem that threatens our oceans and ocean wildlife.  This app helps to stop overfishing by educating its users. If we aren’t careful, we could end up fishing some of our favourite fish out of existence. You can find so much information on seafood, what to avoid, and good alternatives for the seafood to avoid. Seafood Watch even gives you a map of the best sustainable seafood stores and restaurants near you.

http://www.seafoodwatch.org/

PaperKarma – Get rid of paper mail!

This is an awesome app to reduce paper waste! Junk mail is a never-ending avalanche of paper waste that often goes directly into the garbage without ever being opened. PaperKarma lets you take photos of your junk mail and choose to unsubscribe from the mailing list. It’s as simple as taking a picture! The app then contacts the Mailer and removes you from their distribution list.

https://www.paperkarma.com/

 

 

That sums up my list. I hope it was helpful and serves as an opportunity for you to stay connected to the environment, green living news, and helps you make the most out of your smartphone!