You hear about global warming, greenhouse gases, and air pollution all the time nowadays. Society is striving to become more eco-friendly in hopes of stopping the dangerous climate changes currently affecting the planet. Fortunately, going green can be made much easier with the use of a smartphone. Here are some sustainable apps and ideas you can use with your smart phone to help make Earth a healthier place to live.
Pull the Plug on Your Machines
Image via Flickr by quinn.anyaElectricity usage is a huge contributor to greenhouse gases and pollution, but we have so many gadgets and electronics that we can’t live without. A simple solution to pulling the plug on your numerous devices is to move all of your entertainment and social needs to your smartphone. You can access the internet, check your email, and even watch your favorite television shows on your mobile device, so you won’t need to have multiple machines using up electricity all at once. Your smartphone only needs to be plugged in for a limited amount of time per day, making it the most eco-friendly device you can rely on.
Stay Charged with PowerBar
Of course, smartphones would be even greener if you didn’t have to plug them in at all. The PowerBar is a portable charger that will keep your phone fully powered for an unbelievable amount of time. With this awesome device, your phone will never die when you need it and you won’t have to worry about using up valuable energy keeping your phone plugged in. This way you’ll have more time to spend using environmentally friendly apps.
Use Energy Monitoring Apps
You don’t have to limit your energy efficiency to just your smartphone, though, and you can even use your smartphone to help you stay efficient elsewhere. Check out apps that help you monitor energy usage throughout your home, such as Energy Tracker and Green Outlet. These apps calculate energy costs, check for Energy Star approved appliances, and show you where you need to reduce energy usage the most.
Apps to Help You Drive Greener
Image via Flickr by lundgrenphotography
Gasoline is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to pollution, but not everyone can afford to make the switch to an eco-friendly car. Luckily, smartphone users have a wide variety of apps to choose from to help them make better choices as they drive. One app, FuelGood, uses your phones GPS to measure your acceleration and let you know if you could be taking a greener route. When you save gas, you also save the planet and save some money.
Set Recycling Reminders
We all know recycling is an easy way to go green, but changing your trash habits can be difficult. A good way to help you take up recycling is to simply set reminders on your smartphone. Most devices have calendars and reminder systems built in and will alert you at certain times or places to carry out a task. If you set a reminder every morning to recycle instead of throw away, it’s only a matter of time before you pick up this greener habit.
Find Recyclers Around You
Sometimes recycling is made difficult by a lack of appropriate facilities in your area. Use the iRecycle app to locate recycling facilities anywhere, whether you’re away at school or on vacation in a distant city. This app will tell you everything you need to know about your recycling opportunities, from type of material taken to hours of operation. You can even share your efforts to your social media to get your friends interested in recycling!
Eat Better Meals with Fooducate
A lot of the food we eat is manufactured in ways that negatively impact the environment. Although changing your diet is one extreme way to help offset pollution, eating habits are very difficult to break. With the Fooducate app, however, you will be able to learn more about your preferred foods and eventually make better choices. Chances are the healthier a food product is for you, the healthier it is for the planet.
Pick the Right Light Bulbs
You’ve probably seen those weird looking energy-saving bulbs all over the place lately. The science behind the bulbs is simple: they burn more efficiently and last much longer. Putting these bulbs in all the lighting fixtures in your home is a good way to cut down on energy costs. To figure out the best bulbs for your different lights, try the Light Bulb Finder app. This app has a huge database on light types and needs, so you’ll definitely be able to find the right bulb no matter what kind of lamps you use.
Use an Eco-Friendly Phone
Did you know that even the type of phone you use can have an effect on the environment? Some phones are greener than others because of how they were manufactured and how they utilize energy. A great choice would be the BlackBerry Z10, which has been certified for reduced carbon emissions. If you’re in the market for a new phone and want to pick the most eco-friendly model, do a little research and figure out what brands have the lowest carbon footprint.
Get an Eco-Friendly Phone Case
Not everyone can spend a lot money on going green, though, and that’s perfectly understandable. If you want to make your smart phone greener without having to pay for a brand new one, there are some eco-friendly cases available. Look around online for cases made out of recycled materials instead of factory-based materials like metal or rubber. You can protect your phone while your protect the environment.
Tune In to TreeHugger
It’s important to stay on top of the latest environmental news and advancements. You can keep up to date with the TreeHugger app, created by one of the top green websites online. This app offers tons of podcasts and articles on everything you could possibly need to know about going green, from stories on bicycling trends to information on progressive energy sources. TreeHugger is the perfect app for anyone who loves the environment, and is completely free.
Everyone could benefit from a more sustainable living, and the best way to do that is to turn your smartphone into a green machine. If the whole world could utilize these fantastic environmentally friendly apps, the planet would quickly become a safer, healthier place.
