Many of us aspire to live a greener, more sustainable life, but that’s often easier said than done. Life is constantly on the go, and we don’t always have time to research before making a decision. Fortunately, smartphones are coming to our rescue. The following five apps take the guesswork out of green living, even when you’re on the move.
The scenario: You’re standing in the shampoo aisle after a long day of work. They are out of your go-to brand. You vaguely remember that another brand was particularly earth-friendly, while a few others were especially bad for the environment. Unable to remember, you pick the least offensive looking one, only to find out later that it’s horrible for the planet.
The solution: The GoodGuide app takes the guesswork out of buying according to your values. Simply scan the barcode to receive the latest, most up-to-date scores for the environmental, social and health impact of any product. This makes shopping green simple and straightforward. But be warned: Many seemingly “green” products are anything but!
The scenario: You check your mail and discover that your name and address have been sold to a merchant specializing in sending out big, unwanted catalogs. You fully intend on getting in contact with said retailer, but time passes and you end up recycling the catalog instead. You’ve also requested information about a car, college or cruise line. They sell your information as well, making it nearly impossible to stop the flow of unwanted, unneeded junk mail. Save the trees!
The solution: PaperKarma makes unsubscribing from junk mail and unsolicited catalogs a snap, literally! Simply snap a picture of the offending mailing and PaperKarma does the rest automatically. It saves the trees and saves you time. Awesome app!
The scenario: You’ve made a commitment to give your patronage to green, sustainable businesses, but you’re already out and about, and you don’t have time to do the research necessary to find a good business nearby.
Plus, many businesses that really care about the environment put their energy into that and not necessarily into how they can improve brand awareness, so they might be tough to find.
The solution: The inBloom app specializes in finding green businesses near your current location. Use it anywhere to generate a list of positive, eco-friendly establishments nearby. Hotels, restaurants and more are just a tap away. The app also includes ratings from Yelp.com so you can be positive of overall quality and customer satisfaction as well.
The scenario: You’ve decided to reduce your carbon footprint by making use of public transportation whenever possible, even while out of town. This is easier said than done when you’re not familiar with local subway, train and bus schedules. How can you get around without renting a car?
The solution: HopStop is an all-in-one solution for plotting travel routes via public transportation. The app calculates time, distance and cost automatically, making it simple and easy to utilize public transportation options. A must for any green traveller!
The scenario: You want to recycle. You’re committed to recycling. However, some things throw you for a loop. Can batteries be recycled? If so, what varieties? What about Styrofoam? What type of recycling is available in my area?
In conclusion:
Technology can be a force for good depending on how it’s used. Put your smartphone to work by downloading the above green living apps. With these tools at your disposal, a lack of time to research the right options is no longer an issue. The right choices are accessible anytime, anyplace.
