Who would have thought that adage to "reduce, reuse, recycle" would be that useful as the Earth faces a climate emergency that's placing future generations at risk?
Over the last few years, scientists have reiterated that being eco-friendly cannot merely be a hobby anymore. While suggestions like restoring ecosystems could be a daunting task, there are small ways you can make a difference in your personal life.
Thanks to technology, you're not on your own as you try and be more eco-friendly. Here are five mobile applications that will help you lead a more sustainable life each day.
ALSO READ: Mother Earth Would Probably Be Happier If You Drive to Store Than Shop Online. Here's Why
Think Dirty
Think Dirty helps you find green cosmetics and beauty commodities. The app helps you examine potentially harmful ingredients in personal care and makeup items so that you can compare them as you shop.
Think Dirty rates products at the Dirty Meter, taking consideration of its elements, certifications, and health impacts. You can also keep track of the gadgets you already own in the My Bathroom Rating. Think Dirty is available on iOS and Android.
PaperKarma
With PaperKarma, you can reduce the amount of direct paper mail arriving in your house. Just use the app to take a photograph of the mail you no longer wish to receive, such as catalogs, charity donation requests, or a letter for a former occupant. Select the name to take it away from the company's mailing list, and select unsubscribe.
ThredUp
Fast-fashion brands have a contribution to the world's waste problem. The fashion industry has a lot of work to do to become more eco-friendly. One sustainable change you could make is by purchasing second-hand items. A useful resource to get you started from home is ThredUp. It's a web clothing consignment, thrift shop, and a styling transport service rolled into one. The application offers lower prices on high-end items--new and used--from brands which include Kate Spade and Coach.
Olio
Borrowing instead of buying is an easy habit you can begin doing right now. With the Olio app, available on iOS and Android, simply take a photo of the item/s you want to share, and any friends who also use Olio will be notified. Or you can browse gadgets your neighbors are inclined to share, or food, cleaning merchandise or other miscellaneous items. Connect from there and set up a pickup time.
Olio remains operational for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak and posted a safety guide on its web page. The site is additionally working to help vulnerable people during the pandemic.
Ecosia search engine
Before you next deep-dive into the internet rabbit hole, try out the Ecosia extension for Chrome. Ecosia makes use of the income from ads from your searches to plant timber. During the Australian wildfires late last year, Ecosia directed all the search income to plant trees there. The search engine says it can plant 26,000 trees in a single day.
Ecosia works around the world and publishes monthly financial reports for accountability. Ecosia additionally says it doesn't sell your information to third-party advertisers or use third-celebration trackers. You can also download a mobile version of the extension as an app for iOS and Android.
ALSO READ: Greener Alternatives May Not Actually Be Green
