Using eco-friendly mobile apps is essential for you to reduce carbon emissions, save resources, and support sustainability. These free sustainable apps are all about saving energy and resources, making you more aware of your environmental impact.
Nowadays, I feel like we are so inseparable from our phones that we might as well make use of them.
I gathered a list of the Top 11 green apps to download and have on your phone. All the apps are free, with some in-app purchases but you can still make use of them with free options. The list offers apps that help reduce waste, promote renewable energy, second-hand electronics, and overall sustainable living. When I was living in London, my favourite apps were ‘Too Good To Go’, ‘Olio’ and of course ‘Happy Cow.’I gave away and sold so much food and items with the Olio app, got some goodies with the TGTG and found incredible vegan places with the Happy Cow app.
Using eco-friendly mobile apps is essential for you to reduce carbon emissions, save resources, and support sustainability. These free sustainable apps are all about saving energy and resources, making you more aware of your environmental impact. So, by getting on board, you’re doing your bit for the planet and making a positive difference.
TOP 11 Best Sustainable Apps to Download
1. Too Good To Go
2. OLIO
3. Loop
4. JouleBug
5. Good On You
6. Fairphone
7. Ecosia
8. Buycott
9. BlaBlaCar
10. HappyCow
11. Vestiare Collective
Here are some of the best free sustainable apps in 2024 that are leading the charge towards a greener future.
1. Too Good To Go
Purpose: Fighting food waste.
Too Good To Go is an app that connects users with local restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores to rescue extra food that would otherwise go to waste. By purchasing “magic bags” at at discounted prices (sometimes 50-70% off of regular price), you can enjoy delicious meals and reduce food waste. It becomes tricky if you are vegan as most of the time you don’t know what food you’re going to get. (unless the restaurant is fully vegan)
Global or Regional: Available in various countries across Europe, North America, and Asia, but its availability may vary depending on the region.
Cost: Free (with in-app purchases).
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Features: Real-time notifications of available surplus food, user-friendly interface, payment integration, and social impact tracking.
2. OLIO
Purpose: Sharing excess food and household items within communities.
OLIO is a community-driven app that enables users to share food and other items with neighbours, preventing them from ending up in landfills. Whether you have home-grown vegetables, extra pantry staples, food that’s nearing its expiry date, or even household appliances, OLIO fosters a culture of sharing and resourcefulness while promoting sustainable consumption practices.
Global or Regional: Available in multiple countries, with a strong presence in the UK and Europe.
Cost: Free.
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Features: Location-based listings, messaging between users, item categorisation, and community events.
3. Loop
Purpose: Minimising single-use packaging waste.
Loop revolutionises the way we consume products by offering a platform for purchasing popular brands in durable, reusable packaging. From household cleaners to personal care products, Loop partners with leading companies to deliver goods in refillable containers, reducing the reliance on single-use plastics and promoting a circular economy.
Global or Regional: Available in select countries, primarily in North America and Europe.
Cost: Free to download (products purchased on a per-item basis).
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Features: Subscription-based service, returnable packaging system, product customisation options, and convenient doorstep delivery.
4. JouleBug
Purpose: Encouraging sustainable habits through gamification.
JouleBug gamifies sustainability by challenging users to complete eco-friendly actions and compete with friends and colleagues to earn points and rewards. From conserving energy to reducing water usage, JouleBug makes sustainable living fun and engaging while providing practical tips and resources for making a positive environmental impact.
Global or Regional: Available globally, with users in various countries.
Cost: Free.
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Features: Action-based challenges, social sharing, leaderboards, and personalised recommendations.
5. Good On You
Purpose: Promoting ethical and sustainable fashion.
Good On You empowers consumers to make informed choices about their clothing purchases by providing ratings and information on brands’ ethical and environmental practices. From labour conditions to environmental impact, the app evaluates fashion brands based on transparency, sustainability, and ethical considerations, enabling users to support companies that align with their values.
Global or Regional: Available globally, with information on brands around the world.
Cost: Free.
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Features: Brand ratings and reviews, product recommendations, ethical fashion guides, and user-generated content.
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6. Fairphone
Purpose: Promoting ethical and modular smartphones.
Fairphone is not just an app but an entire ecosystem dedicated to creating sustainable smartphones that prioritise ethical sourcing, longevity, and repairability. With modular design and transparent supply chains, Fairphone encourages users to rethink their relationship with technology and support a more ethical and sustainable approach to consumer electronics.
Global or Regional: Available globally, but primarily popular in Europe.
Cost:Free.
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Features: Modular phone design, fair trade materials, repair guides and spare parts, and ethical sourcing certifications.
7. Ecosia
Purpose: Planting trees through online searches.
Ecosia is a search engine app that uses its ad revenue to finance tree-planting projects around the world. By simply searching the web, users can contribute to reforestation efforts and combat deforestation, making Ecosia a powerful tool for environmental conservation and climate action.
Global or Regional: Available globally, with users worldwide.
Cost: Free.
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Features: Privacy-focused search engine, transparent financial reports, tree-planting counter, and eco-friendly browsing options.
8. Buycott
Purpose: Supporting ethical and sustainable brands.
Buycott empowers consumers to vote with their wallets by providing information on the social, environmental, and political values of various brands and products. With Buycott, users can scan product barcodes to uncover a brand’s affiliations and track its corporate practices, enabling them to make purchasing decisions that align with their values and priorities.
Global or Regional: Available globally, with information on brands from various countries.
Cost: Free.
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Features: Barcode scanning, campaign creation, brand affiliations database, and social impact tracking.
9. BlaBlaCar
Purpose: Promoting carpooling and reducing carbon emissions.
BlaBlaCar connects drivers with empty seats to passengers travelling in the same direction, enabling them to share rides and split costs. By facilitating carpooling, BlaBlaCar reduces the number of vehicles on the road, alleviates traffic congestion, and lowers carbon emissions, making it a sustainable alternative to individual car journeys.
Global or Regional: Available in multiple countries, with a strong presence in Europe and parts of Asia.
Cost: Free to download (transaction fees may apply).
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Features: Ride-sharing platform, user reviews and ratings, secure payment system, and journey tracking.
10. HappyCow
Purpose: Finding vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants.
HappyCow is a global guide to vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, cafes, and stores, helping users discover plant-based dining options wherever they go. With reviews, ratings, and interactive maps, HappyCow makes it easy for vegans and vegetarians to find delicious and sustainable food choices while supporting businesses that cater to their dietary preferences.
Global or Regional: Available globally, with information on restaurants
Cost: Free.
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
11.Vestiaire Collective
Purpose: Promoting second-hand fashion and reducing clothing waste.
Vestiaire Collective is a platform that facilitates the buying and selling of pre-owned designer fashion items. By promoting the circular economy and extending the lifespan of fashion pieces, Vestiaire Collective encourages sustainable consumption practices and reduces the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
Global or Regional: Available globally, with users from various countries.
Cost: Free to download (transaction fees may apply).
Compatibility: Available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Features: Secure payment system, authentication services, seller ratings and reviews, and curated collections.
Summary – TOP 11 Best Sustainable Apps to Download in 2024
After reading the post, are you feeling ready to download those green apps and make a change in 2024? They’re all about shrinking your carbon footprint and saving resources, offering a more eco-friendly living. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve been using any of those apps already.
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