Standfirst: Five apps that promote sustainable living by proving the adage that when your knowledge is better, you do better.
As more people have become aware of environmental issues, there has been a growing trend towards sustainable living in an effort to reverse environmental degradation. Business owners not only need to be aware of this trend in consumer behaviour, but also must walk the talk and, ideally, lead the way in advocating for sustainable living.
Fortunately, today’s technology is helping ensure compliance and accountability in efforts to develop sustainable lifestyles, even though many of these innovations are not yet widely patronised by the public. The apps listed here have shown to be invaluable tools for any business that is doing its part in trying to achieve a better and greener future.
Oreoco
Awareness of the carbon emissions individuals make in their activities is growing but many still have no idea how much they account for and what they need to do to reduce the amount. This is where
Oreoco comes in. The Oreoco app calculates the user’s daily carbon footprint based on electricity consumption, modes of transport taken, food consumed, and other lifestyle activities. It provides rewards when it detects any reduction in carbon footprint, as well as tips for users to reduce their carbon footprint that will inspire others in the community to do the same.
“The Oreoco app calculates its user’s daily carbon footprint.”
Good On You
For consumers who are conscious of a fashion brand’s sustainability efforts, Good On You provides a comprehensive resource for information on which brands are sustainable and ethical. To date, over 3000 brands are listed in the app, which is being used by millions worldwide, providing a wealth of opportunities for users to ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to sustainability.
Ecosia
At first glance, Ecosia looks and works just like any other web browser, but behind the scenes, it has been hard at work in its sustainability efforts. The company donates the revenues it generates from
ads towards various tree-planting activities across the globe. Notably, it helped with reforestation of Australian bushes affected by the wildfires in 2020. In addition, Ecosia takes pride in not selling user data to third-party advertisers, nor does it use third-party trackers, upholding the privacy of its users.
Cleanfox
Not many know that there is a carbon cost involved in emails. For one, sending emails (especially with
attachments) can generate multiple grams of CO2 per message. Emails stored for a long time and not deleted or opened generate even more CO2, thanks to the fossil fuels involved in storage. As such, Cleanfox provides a convenient way not only to delete unwanted emails but also to unsubscribe
users from unwanted email lists. With just a single click, Cleanfox automatically deletes newsletters
according to the user’s preferences.
Scrapp
Because recycling rules differ from one local council to another, ensuring that recycling is being done in a compliant, best-practice way can be a massive headache and may contribute to worsening waste management in a given locality. To address this issue, Scrapp makes recycling both intuitive and participative by making use of a product’s barcodes. When the product’s barcode is scanned, Scrapp obtains locally accurate recycling information based on the user’s location, ensuring proper waste disposal and local compliance. It also scans new items to help other users recycle properly.
This article first appeared in issue 40 of the Inside Small Business quarterly magazine
