Apps for a greener and healthier 2019

Our first post in 2019 is also the first of its kind in our website. This year we’d like to promote a deeper discussion about all the little things we can do to achieve a better lifestyle, while contributing to positive change that will help save our planet.

Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start to look for tips and (credible) references to inform the choices we make everyday. We have therefore selected a few smartphone “green” apps that make it easy to live sustainably (note that most of these apps are available for both iOS and Android, but not always. Some are free, some aren’t. And all are subject to sudden unavailability. Check your app store of choice.)

Learning how to bring safer, kinder products and food into our homes can be a daunting task. FoodSwitch allows you to scan packaged food to see what’s in it. FoodSwitch classic can be used for everyone looking to make generally healthier food choices. SaltSwitch mode has been designed to help people looking specifically to lower their salt intake. GlutenSwitch mode helps people living with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance. Developed by Bupa in partnership with The George Institute for Global Health.

The Australia’s Sustainable Seafood Guide is a free app developed by the Australian Marine Conservation Society “in response to growing public concern about overfishing and its impact on our oceans and their wildlife”. It is designed to “help you make informed seafood choices and play a part in swelling the tide for sustainable seafood in Australia”. Check their video below:

The Local Food Loop helps you find the best fresh food that is grown, prepared and available in your local area. Growers, farm-gate sales, markets, cafes & eateries and specialty product retailers – they are all there.

Did you know that food wastage costs the average NSW family over $1000 per year? Love Your Leftovers is a very nice little app that helps you minimise food waste. All you have to do is type in whatever ingredients you might have and they’ll find you something to make.

Rippl lets you set all kinds of environmental goals, suggests actions you can take to meet them, and helps you incorporate the actions it offers into your life via suggested routines, reminders, and more.

The ABC Vegie Guide App is a must-have tool for any home gardener. It will give you all the information you need to produce healthy crops throughout the year, including growing tips, pest and disease control pointers and harvest guides.

OzAtlas will add a rich level of information to your bush walks, which is great fun for the entire family! This is huge; I won’t even try to describe it. Check it for yourself on their website.

Finally, JouleBug is a delightful app to use with family and friends. Beautifully designed, it offers tips to save energy, shows the money you’ll save, rewards the actions you take, and lets you compete with other users for the conservation crown through a mix of social networking and gamification. Check it out:

We haven’t even scratched the surface of environmental mobile apps, but this will get you started. Keep on looking for more and you’ll turn your smart phone or tablet into a portable planet-saving super computer.