More than 300,000 mobile apps have been developed in three years, according to the International Data Corporation, and mobile traffic—and thus mobile marketing—will only continue to grow. Beneficially for the earth, mobile phones have become a handy tool for going green, with numerous apps available that offer the latest news, tips, tricks, games and tools for green living. While there are plenty to sort through, convenience is the name of the game for these four eco-friendly mobile apps.
Being a vegetarian, it can be a challenge to find fresh, organic food locally during the winter season. Locavore provides an easy way to find sustainable, in-season food from local farmers’ markets and farms, no matter where you are in the country. The app collaborates with LocalHarvest.org and other resources to collect updated information about food availability at the various farmers’ markets. Locavore takes advantage of built-in GPS to determine the users’ location and subsequently provides what is currently in-season locally, helping you create a fresh meal any time of the year! Using Epicurious, the app also offers seasonal recipes that can be shared and discovered on Facebook. Locavore is currently FREE in the iTunes app store.
As mentioned in a previous blog, receiving junk mail is far from welcomed for most, but luckily, Paper Karma is here to help with this pestering problem. According to Paper Karma, “In the United States alone, 100 billion pieces of junk mail are sent each year. Every household receives some 800 pieces of junk mail per year.” Often times, it is confusing to know where to begin stopping this mail. The process, as they describe it, is quite simple. Take a picture of the unwanted junk mail with your smart phone and send it to them. Paper Karma will then identify the sender, locate where they are, and send a request to unsubscribe you from their mailing list. It is required by law to unsubscribe your name from their lists once a formal request has been submitted, decreasing the size of the junk-mail pile in your recycling bin each week. Paper Karma is currently FREE in the iTunes app store.
GoodGuide is a simple way to find healthy products while shopping. Based on scientific ratings, GoodGuide uses a bar code scanner to look up a product’s environmental impact using a 0 to 10 scale to measure health, environment and social responsibility of every item. Users can easily read further into the details behind the rating to make an informed decision prior to purchasing. More than 120,000 products have been rated from food and cosmetics to toys and household cleaners. Determined to create educated consumers, personalization of the app is available to designate standards you care about and will let you know if products match the standards you have set. GoodGuide is currently FREE in the iTunes app store.
From green thumbs to beginners, iGrowIt is a gardening app that provides information about your planting zone. By pressing the “What can I grow today?” button, it provides a list of vegetables you can plant in the current month based on your location. iGrowIt then walks through the complete growing process with detailed preparation, planting, care and picking instructions for growing your own garden, easy enough for even the beginner gardener. Invite family or friends over for a dinner party to enjoy the results of your hard work, as the app even offers recipes and ways to cook your veggies once ready. iGrowIt is currently $0.99 in the iTunes app store.
Have you tried one of these apps mentioned above? Do you use any green apps that are your personal favorites? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
| Follow @KaySasSmith |
| Follow @Kuno |
