Apple sold over 35 million iPhones in the first quarter of 2012, so it’s no surprise that there are iPhone apps for everything from shopping and hiking to recycling and eating local. We’ve sifted through hundreds of apps and come up with this list of the top 10 green iPhone apps that make it easy to live and travel green.
1. GoodGuide
With GoodGuide you can scan the barcode of products from any store and find out how green and socially responsible they are. It’s a great way to confirm that the eco-friendly products you’re buying are as green as they say they are.
Cost: Free
2. iTrans
With iTrans you can find maps and schedules for trains and subways in several major cities. I love that this app is available on and offline, so if your data isn’t working you can still check train schedules. You can also set up push alerts on your iPhone for delays that that affect your route and commute time.
iTrans is currently available for the New York City subway system, New Jersey Transit, Chicago CTA, Chicago Metra, LA Metrolink, LA Metro, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PATH), Metro-North, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and DC Metro.
Cost: Free
3. Carbon Track
All of our daily activities have environmental costs attached to them. We love that CarbonTrack was created specifically for businesses to track their CO2 emissions from key business activities–like travel and electricity usage. If you are traveling for work, or for fun, this app is a great way to determine which mode of transportation is most sustainable and environmentally friendly. You can also use CarbonTracker to measure the environmental impact of waste, around the home or the office.
Cost: Free
4. Locavore
No matter where you are and what season you are in, Locavore can help you find food grown and produced locally. Using your phone’s GPS, the app directs you to the nearest farmers’ markets. It will also give you recipe ideas for how to use the seasonal veggies that you find. And, if you want to share what you ate locally, you can link Locavore with Facebook.
Cost: Free
5. hiCard
Want to keep your friends and family updated on your travels? With hiCard you can take a picture with your phone, and then create a postcard to send via email. With hiCard, you’ll be able to skip standing in line at the post office. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly way to share vacation highlights.
Cost: $1.99
6. TripSketch Green Book
The TripSketch Green Book is definitely worth the $4.99 price tag. With ideas for eco-friendly travel in more than 80 cities across the globe, you can use the Green Book as a city guide to find nearby attractions and get directions. Because all of the info is saved on your phone, you don’t need data or Wi-Fi to use the iPhone app.
Cost: $4.99
7. iRecycle
Recycling is an easy way to lighten your carbon footprint. With iRecycle you can find out over a million ways to recycle more than 300 types of materials. You can search using your current location, zip code, address, or city to find recycling centers in your area. iRecycle will give you information about the recycling center including directions, hours, and what other materials they collect.
Cost: Free
8. Green Outlet
If you’re looking to lower your energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint, Green Outlet can help. This app helps you identify which of your household appliances are costing you the most to run. Then, you can make decisions about how to cut down your electricity usage. By selecting what appliances you use each day, and for how long, the app can also estimate your electric bill for the month. Green Outlet is a great tool for frequent travelers; once you see how much electricity your electronics are using in standby mode, you’ll want to unplug when you leave for your next trip.
9. Trailhead
This app by North Face is especially handy if you like to hike and explore. Trailhead will search over 300,000 trails, hikes, and bike routes and find one for you based on your location and preferences. It also tracks your route, distance, speed, and elevation — all in real time.
Cost: Free
10. Twavel
This app provides a fun way to help you make green travel choices, which is why it landed in our list of the top 10 green iPhone apps. With Twavel you can calculate the CO2 emissions associated with your travels. You and your friends can compare your carbon footprint—hopefully helping you make eco-friendly travel choices in the future.
Cost: Free
What are some of your favorite green iPhone apps for sustainable living and travel?
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