In the age of smartphones and social media, it’s easy to jump on the hype train when it comes to new trends and apps geared towards making more eco-friendly choices. But it can be hard to make the right decision—for every 1 good app, there’s 5+ copycats trying to trick users into downloading their less-than-helpful platform instead. With new ones popping up every day, how are you supposed to know which sustainable apps actually make a difference and which ones are only greenwashing their brand messaging?
While everyone’s approach to reducing their carbon footprint may be different—buying used goods, recycling, buying bulk—we’ve compiled a list of apps you can check out to today to help you transition to more eco-conscious shopping in 2022.
6 sustainable apps for conscious consumers
Good On You
We’re past the age of being blindsided by the news that our favorite brands still operate sweatshops and pollute with toxic runoff. Good On You is a free app (and website) that compiles information on over 3,000 fashion brands and how their practices affect their workers, the planet, and animal welfare. With a scale that goes from “We Avoid” to “Great,” the team at Good On You has done the heavy lifting of sorting through company reports and certifications so that you don’t have to. @goodonyou_app
GoodHuman
If you want to shop sustainably but don’t want to waste time sifting through manifestos or researching brands, GoodHuman is an app that curates ethical and sustainable good for you. GH bases its list of brands on a 5-point criteria system that includes community approval and transparency reports. Every brand or product featured on the app is vetted, and continually audited if need be. While incredibly helpful at cutting down the work of shopping sustainably, GoodHuman is less wallet-friendly than buying second-hand or from your local market. @get_goodhuman
Depop
An app that’s exploded in popularity as Gen Z gets more and more obsessed with vintage and upcycled fashion, Depop is one of the largest reselling platforms out there. Capitalizing on its promise of unique pre-loved finds, Depop is a great option for anyone who wants to stick to a consumer-to-consumer shopping model.
Essentially the virtual version of thrifting in a Goodwill, those who love sniffing out a good deal and hunting for a specific item will love scrolling through this social marketplace app. @depop
Grailed
Most, if not all, fashion apps cater primarily to women. It can be hard to shop as a man or non-binary individual, and even harder to try and do so sustainably. Grailed is a platform dedicated to affordable luxury and streetwear fashion for men, built on peer-to-peer community shopping. Like Depop, it lets users cut their carbon footprint while ensuring their second-hand goods go to a new owner who appreciates their value. @grailed
Think Dirty
Looking to go green with your skincare and makeup this year? Think Dirty works as a database of beauty products geared towards helping you avoid harmful ingredients and make smarter purchases. You can search for specific items or scan their barcode to see if the app has flagged any additives used as toxic for you or the earth, and even submit products that aren’t currently listed to help grow the platform. @thinkdirty
If one of your holy grail items comes up red, the app even suggests replacements so that you can transition to alternative products with ease.
Too Good To Go
Tiktok has shown me many great things, one of which was the existence of the Too Good To Go app. Created with the mission to reduce food waste, TGTG partners with local restaurants, grocery stores, and eateries to sell any food they would have thrown away to consumers at a discounted price. The choice and variety differs by area, but you can expect to purchase anywhere from $10-$20 worth of food for around $5 a pop.
You have to be nimble though—the window to purchase is usually small, and competition to buy one of the limited number of bags can be fierce if it’s a popular spot. @toogoodtogo.usa
Have you downloaded any sustainable apps on your journey to shopping consciously?
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