18 Green Apps to Tackle 21 Environmental Issues Helping Us Live Greener Lives

July 22, 2025 Manuela Willbold Green Guides, List post, Technology 0

green-apps-to-tackle-environmental-issues

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When we think of environmental problems, plastic pollution often springs to mind – it’s the issue that dominates headlines and social media feeds.

But the reality is far broader. From food waste and carbon emissions to energy consumption and biodiversity loss, many pressing challenges demand our attention. 

The good news is that technology is helping us live greener lives, with a growing number of innovative mobile apps making it easier than ever to take meaningful action in our everyday routines.

Understanding where or how to begin, on the other hand, can be difficult at times.

At its sixth session, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted 15 resolutions aimed at strengthening global efforts to safeguard both the planet and human well-being.

The eco apps featured in this list have been chosen for their practical impact on everyday life and their alignment with key environmental challenges. Each app supports more sustainable habits and helps users reduce their ecological footprint in specific ways.

Here are some of the main areas these apps address:

  • Manage food waste and greener food choices – Encouraging better consumption habits, reduced waste, and more plant-based or local eating.
  • Sustainable shopping – Helping users make informed, ethical purchases by highlighting eco-friendly brands and products.
  • Recycling and reusing – Promoting circular economy practices by making it easier to recycle, repurpose, or share items.
  • Energy-saving and carbon tracking – Providing insights into personal energy usage and offering tools to cut emissions.

The apps in our list empower users to make small but meaningful changes, the kind that add up to a more sustainable lifestyle over time.

So, go through our compilation of the finest eco-friendly apps available now, and give some of them a go to transform your good intentions into effective, environmentally friendly activities.

Disclaimer: The information in this post was correct at the time of publication, but may be subject to change. All apps are ranked based on the rating scores in each category.

Food Apps

1. Too Good To Go – 4.9 ★ with 548K+ Apple Store Reviews | 4.9 ★ with 1.70M+ Google Play Store Reviews (50M+ Downloads)

too-good-to-go-top-food-reuse-app

The Too Good To Go app offers a solution to food waste by connecting users with local restaurants and shops that have a surplus or leftover food nearing expiration. The app displays nearby participating places and pickup times.

Environmental Impact & Metrics:

  • Each Surprise Bag rescued through the app helps avoid approximately 2.7 kg of CO₂e emissions.
  • Over 135 million meals have been saved from going to waste through the platform’s global efforts.
  • This impact has helped prevent 365,719 tonnes of CO₂e emissions and saved around 109.7 billion litres of water.

How It Works:

  • Users browse a map-based interface to find nearby participating stores, restaurants, bakeries, and cafes.
  • Each outlet lists available “Magic Bags” – surprise bundles of surplus food priced at a reduced rate.
  • After reserving a bag through the app, users collect it during a specified pickup window from the selected venue.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

2. Olio –  4.9★ with 61K+ Apple Store Reviews | 4.3★ with 45K+ Google Play Store Reviews (5M+ Downloads)

olio-best-food-reuse-app

OLIO is a platform designed to combat food waste by connecting people who have excess food with those who can use it. Users can upload pictures and descriptions of items they want to give away, specifying when they’re available for pickup. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics:

  • As of 2024, OLIO has facilitated the sharing of over 113 million portions of food, helping reduce landfill waste.
  • These efforts have collectively prevented more than 258,855 tonnes of CO₂e emissions.
  • The platform estimates that over 35 billion litres of water have been saved through the redistribution of food and items.

How It Works:

  • Users list surplus food or household items by uploading a photo, adding a brief description, and setting availability.
  • Nearby users browse listings and send a message to request what they need.
  • Pickups are arranged through private in-app chat, typically from a user’s home, public place, or OLIO Drop Box.
  • OLIO also partners with local businesses, allowing volunteers (called Food Waste Heroes) to collect and redistribute unsold food.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

3. Happy Cow – 4.9 ★ with 31K+ Apple Store Reviews | 4.8 ★ with 13K+ Google Play Store Reviews (1M+ Downloads)

happy-cow-top-green-app

Happy Cow is a mobile application designed to help vegans and vegetarians find plant-based dining options, including restaurants, food trucks, cafes, and juice bars. It also serves as a platform for individuals following these dietary lifestyles to connect. Additionally, the app offers recommendations for vegan-friendly holiday destinations. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics:

  • Vegan eating, as promoted through the app, has been shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • A user switching to a fully vegan diet can save water and CO₂ emissions.
  • The platform supports the global shift toward sustainable eating by spotlighting businesses that prioritise low-impact, ethical food practices.

How It Works

  • Users input their location to search for vegan, vegetarian, or veg-friendly establishments nearby.
  • Listings include photos, reviews, menus, price ranges, and dietary tags for easy comparison.
  • Filters help narrow down options based on cuisine type, meal availability, and accessibility.
  • Users can also contribute reviews, add new locations, or join community discussions through the app.

Price: £4.99

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

Sustainability Apps

4. Ecosia – 4.7 ★ with 4K+ Apple Store Reviews | 3.8 ★ with 173K+ Google Play Store Reviews (10M+ Downloads)

ecosia-top-green-sustainability-app

Ecosia is a search engine with a unique mission: planting trees through online searches. Ecosia reinvests 100% of its profits into climate action, with the majority funding tree-planting projects in over 35 countries. By using their service, users can contribute to this cause, and a tree counter feature shows the impact of their searches. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • The Ecosia community has planted over 232 million trees globally, supporting biodiversity and reforestation in critical regions.
  • Their solar-powered servers generate twice the energy needed for user searches, pushing excess clean power back into the grid.

How It Works

  • Users search the web via the Ecosia website or mobile app, just as they would on any traditional search engine.
  • Ad revenue generated from these searches funds vetted tree-planting programmes across the globe.
  • A personal impact counter displays how many trees a user’s searches have helped finance.
  • Ecosia’s transparency reports detail monthly earnings and the exact amount spent on environmental initiatives.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

5. Love Clean Streets – 4.5 ★ with 6K+ Apple Store Reviews | 5 ★ with 984 Google Play Store Reviews (50K+ Downloads)

love-clean-streets-best-green-sustainability-app

Love Clean Streets is a mobile app designed for residents in the UK to report environmental concerns in their neighbourhoods. Users can easily document issues like graffiti, fly-tipping, or potholes by taking a photo within the app. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • Supported across the UK since 2010, the app has contributed to the more efficient resolution of local environmental issues, reducing long-term waste and degradation.
  • Enables councils to save operational costs through faster issue reporting and resolution.
  • Empowers citizens to take part in community cleanliness, fostering long-term engagement in urban environmental care.

How It Works

  • Users open the app and take a photo of the environmental issue.
  • The app auto-generates the location via GPS, which can be manually adjusted if incorrect.
  • Users select a category (e.g. graffiti, fly-tipping), add a short description, and submit the report.
  • The report is automatically routed to the appropriate local authority for action.
  • Users receive progress updates and resolution confirmations directly through the app.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

6. Meteoprog – 4.4 ★ with 881 Google Play Store Reviews | 5 ★ with 2 Apple Store Reviews (1000K+ Downloads)

meteoprog-best-green-app

Meteoprog is your gateway to a more eco-conscious lifestyle, providing not only accurate weather forecasts but also real-time air quality updates. The innovative air pollution index, powered by a unique and precise algorithm, allows you to monitor the air you breathe in your city. With Meteoprog, you can make informed, eco-friendly decisions every day, whether you’re planning outdoor activities or simply staying aware of environmental conditions. Stay connected to nature, protect your well-being, and embrace a healthier, greener future with every forecast.

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • Supports climate awareness by visualising environmental changes across global locations.

How It Works

  • Uses proprietary algorithms to deliver hyperlocal forecasts and real-time pollution data.
  • Displays clear visual dashboards showing air quality, UV index, and wind patterns.
  • Enables custom alerts and widgets for fast access to conditions that affect personal and environmental health.
  • Offers multilingual support and global coverage for eco-aware travel and daily planning.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Preference:

7. Litterati – 3 ★ with 4 Apple Store Reviews | 4.9 ★ with 616 Google Play Store Reviews (100K+ Downloads)

litterati-top-green-sustainability-app

Litterati is on a quest to build a massive worldwide registry of litter, and they will require your help documenting what you collect. You must add the litter after posting a photo of it. You could use the app’s built-in tags, such as plastic, empty bottles, and cigars, or you can create your own sort. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • The platform leverages crowdsourced data to empower communities and policymakers in identifying litter patterns and creating targeted waste-reduction strategies.
  • Litterati’s ecosystem approach encourages collaboration between citizens, local authorities, and private organisations to build more sustainable urban environments.
  • By capturing geotagged, timestamped images, the app has influenced global clean-up initiatives, packaging redesigns, and municipal waste policies.

How It Works

  • Users photograph individual pieces of litter and tag them using the C.O.M.B. scheme: Category, Object, Material, and Brand.
  • The app captures metadata, including location, date, and time for each item.
  • This data is uploaded to a global database and visualised through interactive maps and dashboards.
  • The aggregated insights support research, policy development, and corporate accountability initiatives.

Price: Free

Devices: iPadOS, Android

Social Presence: 

8. Grid Carbon – 4.6 ★ with 61 Apple Store Reviews (10K+ Downloads)

grid-carbon-best-green-sustainability-app

GridCarbon is a highly rated app that shows in real time how “clean” the UK’s electricity supply is, based on the mix of renewable and fossil fuel sources feeding into the grid. It uses data from the National Grid, refreshed every five minutes, to track carbon intensity – the amount of CO₂ emitted per kilowatt hour of electricity generated.

This gives users the insight needed to make more climate-friendly choices about when to use electricity, such as opting to run appliances at times when a higher proportion of energy is coming from low-carbon sources. It’s not about traditional off-peak hours, but rather identifying greener periods throughout the day.

  • Live data shows the balance between renewables and fossil fuels powering the grid at any moment.
  • Helps users reduce their carbon footprint by timing electricity use to coincide with periods of cleaner energy supply.
  • Visual graphs display a breakdown of power generation and carbon output trends over the past 24 hours.

It’s a practical tool for anyone interested in lowering their environmental impact through smarter everyday habits.

Environmental Impact & Metrics 

  • Helps users reduce personal carbon emissions by identifying low-intensity periods for electricity use.
  • Promotes sustainable energy consumption habits aligned with real-time grid data.
  • Enhances public understanding of the UK’s electricity grid and the role of renewables in cutting emissions.

How It Works

  • Retrieves generation mix data from ELEXON, updated every five minutes.
  • Integrates estimates of unmetered wind and solar energy with the core dataset for improved accuracy.
  • Visualises carbon intensity trends using interactive charts and maps based on the past 24 hours.

Price: Free

Devices: iPadOS, Android

Social Presence: 

  • X: 2.5K Followers

9. ethy – 4.6 ★ with 46 Apple Store Reviews (1K+ Downloads)

ethy-top-green-app

ethy researches and verifies brands’ sustainability claims on your behalf. It provides a huge number of brands available in the UK in most categories, from fashion to food, drinks, and even utilities. Search on ethy by category, keyword, or sustainability area such as ‘plastic free’, ‘clean beauty’, ‘vegan’, ‘female-led’, and many more. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • ethy donates 1% of its total revenue to Stripe Climate to support the development of innovative carbon removal technologies.
  • It collaborates with partners like Ecologi to fund verified climate projects and maintain a Climate Positive Workforce.
  • Its verification framework was co-developed with leading institutions, including Carbon Neutral Britain and Social Enterprise UK, contributing to more trustworthy and transparent sustainability standards.

How It Works

  • Users can search for brands by category or sustainability criteria and explore each brand’s verified eco profile.
  • The app offers verified ecolabels and sustainability achievements to help consumers make confident, ethical choices.
  • Users can access ongoing sustainability guides, partner insights, and expert resources for continuous lifestyle improvement.
  • Users can even turn on the app’s push notifications to know when new guides are available.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

10. Nature Hub – 4.5 ★ with 13 Apple Store Reviews

nature-hub-app-tackle-environmental-issues

NatureHub is a group network that connects individuals with organic, socially conscious small shops or organisations to aid them in managing to live healthy and sustainable lives. From negligible waste shops to fitness centres, you can find a variety of responsible and sustainable small companies via this platform to support your eco-friendly lifestyle. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics:

  • Supports small, eco-conscious businesses, reducing reliance on mass production and long supply chains.
  • Promotes sustainable living through ethical consumer choices and local engagement.

How It Works

  • Matches users with ethical businesses and events based on lifestyle preferences.
  • Features a directory of green businesses across the UK, USA, and Canada.
  • Users can browse by category, including cafés, health stores, yoga studios, and handmade goods.
  • Offers access to farmers’ markets, CSAs, and low-waste shops within local communities.

Price: Free

Devices: iPadOS

Social Presence: 

11. Zerofy – 4 ★ with 4 Trustpilot Reviews (10K+ Downloads)

zerofy-best-green-app

The Zerofy app allows users to automatically track and understand their household carbon dioxide emissions and reduce them by shifting to low-carbon alternatives on their journey to a zero-carbon, fully electrified home. Each main source of your household CO2 emissions is automatically tracked in real-time, in one place. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • Households influence up to 70% of global carbon emissions through direct and indirect consumption, making home energy optimisation a critical factor in climate action.
  • In Europe, households account for 27% of final energy use and 28% of transport energy consumption – areas where Zerofy drives reduction through electrification.
  • The app integrates with over 500 smart devices, enabling real-time tracking and automation of energy use across EV chargers, HVAC systems, and home appliances.

How It Works

  • It functions as a home energy management system (HEMS), enabling users to monitor, automate, and optimise the performance of their electric appliances.
  • Users receive customised recommendations based on their household energy profile, helping them to take practical steps like load shifting, behavioural changes, or tech upgrades.
  • Zerofy supports manual and automated control of devices, allowing for seamless integration into a renewable-focused home energy system.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

Vehicle Apps

12. BlaBlaCar – 4.7 ★ with 240 Apple Store Reviews | 4.7 ★ with 2M+ Google Play Store Reviews (100M+ Downloads)

blablacar-top-green-vehicle-app

BlaBlaCar is a global ridesharing app that connects drivers with passengers travelling to the same destination, offering an alternative to expensive train fares and reducing carbon footprints. Users create accounts with short bios and pictures, and passengers specify their departure and arrival locations and times. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • In 2023, BlaBlaCar’s mobility services helped avoid 2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions through shared travel.
  • Drivers saved a collective €513 million by offering empty seats to passengers heading the same way.
  • The platform supported 104 million ride-sharing encounters and 2.4 million meeting points globally, maximising vehicle efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

How It Works

  • Drivers list their upcoming journeys with details such as route, timing, number of available seats, and cost per seat.
  • Passengers search for suitable rides, review driver profiles and ratings, then book and pay securely through the app.
  • Both parties receive real-time updates and can communicate directly within the platform.
  • In addition to carpooling, users can also book low-cost intercity bus journeys through BlaBlaCar.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

13. PlugShare – 4.7 ★ with 126K+ Apple Store Reviews | 4.7 ★ with 44K+ Google Play Store Reviews (1M+ Downloads)

plugshare-best-green-vehicle-app

PlugShare is a mobile app designed to alleviate concerns about range anxiety for electric car drivers by providing information about nearby charging stations. PlugShare covers a wide range of locations, particularly in Europe and North America. Each charging station is labelled and rated, indicating factors such as charging speed and plug compatibility. Users can view details for each station, including whether it is currently in use. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • Helps accelerate EV adoption by mapping 450,000+ global charging points.
  • Reduces emissions by cutting unnecessary mileage in search of chargers.
  • Supports cleaner transport by easing the switch from petrol to electric.

How It Works

  • Users download the PlugShare app and create a free account.
  • They can search for EV charging stations nearby or along a planned route, filter results by charger type, network, or availability.
  • Real-time updates allow users to see whether a station is currently occupied or free.
  • Drivers can leave reviews, ratings, and tips to help other EV owners.

Price: The PlugShare app is free to download and use, with optional in-app purchases available. Users can choose to subscribe to the ad-free version for $0.99 per month or opt for the annual subscription at $9.99.

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

14. Zipcar – 4.5 ★ with 76K+ Apple Store Reviews | 3.8 ★ with 50K+ Google Play Store Reviews (1M+ Downloads)

zipcar-top-green-vehicle-app

Zipcar offers convenient car rental options, allowing users to rent vehicles in minutes using their mobile app. The service includes technology for locking and unlocking cars via the app, providing fast rental solutions in users’ areas. Zipcar also offers electric vehicle options to reduce pollution concerns. Two types of cars are available for booking: Standard for round-trip journeys and Flex for one-way trips. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • Zipcar’s London and Bracknell offices have transitioned to LED lighting with motion sensors, reducing energy consumption.
  • Their mobile cleaning team uses 100% electric vans and biodegradable cleaning products, minimising emissions and chemical waste.
  • The company has eliminated 768 kg of plastic by reducing the use of Zipcards, aiming to switch entirely to app-based access, and is on track to achieve a fully electric fleet by 2030.

How It Works

  • Users sign up through the app or website, upload their driving licence, and await approval to begin booking.
  • Once approved, members can search for and reserve a nearby car by the hour or day, with both round-trip and one-way options available.
  • Cars are unlocked and locked using the Zipcar app, eliminating the need for keys or physical cards.
  • At the end of the reservation, users return the vehicle to its designated bay (or drop-off location for Flex trips), ending the booking via the app.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

Exchange/Reuse Apps

15. Plantum – 4.6 ★ with 112K+ Apple Store Reviews | 4.3 ★ with 45K+ Google Play Store Reviews (5M+ Downloads)

plantum-best-green-reuse-app

Plantum helps identify 33,000 plant species, diagnose their states, and give specific care advice. The recommendations include what soil to choose, how to water and fertilise plants, setting the appropriate temperature conditions, and more.  

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • Encourages greener lifestyles by promoting long-term plant care over plant replacement.
  • Reduces household waste by helping users diagnose and revive ailing plants.
  • Supports biodiversity by educating users on maintaining a wide variety of plant species.

How It Works

  • Snap a clear, well-lit photo to identify a plant or diagnose health issues.
  • Use “Ask an Expert” for personalised advice from professional botanists.
  • Track care routines using reminders for watering, fertilising, misting, and rotating.
  • Access tools like the Light Meter, Water Calculator, and Pot Meter for tailored care.
  • Explore a growing library of plant care content via tags, bookmarks, and video tips.
  • Weather Tracker alerts users to environmental changes affecting outdoor plants.

Price: Plantum is free to download, with several optional in-app purchases available. Premium plans range from £6.99 to £39.99, while the Plantum PRO subscriptions are priced between £7.99 and £19.99. The “Ask an Expert” consultation feature is also available separately, with prices varying from £8.99 to £19.99 depending on the plan.

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

16. Tiptapp – 4.7 ★ with 18K+ Apple Store Reviews | 4.9 ★ with 5.45K Google Play Store Reviews (100K+ Downloads)

tiptapp-top-green-reuse-app

TipTapp instantly connects users with thousands of helpers who are ready to assist them with moving, delivering, shopping, or recycling. These helpers are everyday people with cars and available time to lend a hand when needed. You can get quick, same-day help at a time and place that suits you. 

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • In 2023 alone, over 22,000 recycling ads were fulfilled, ensuring proper disposal and reuse of household waste.
  • More than 278,000 items were given away for free, significantly extending their lifecycle and reducing demand for new goods.
  • The app helped avoid 48,300 individual car trips, preventing 52 tonnes of CO₂ emissions through its co-riding and smart logistics model.

How It Works

  • Users post tasks for waste removal, deliveries, or item collection, setting their price and preferred time.
  • Verified helpers with vehicles accept these tasks, reducing the need for multiple trips to recycling centres or donation points.
  • Tiptapp partners with local recycling facilities and municipalities, offering clear guidelines to ensure users sort and dispose of items correctly.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

17. Freegle – 4.4 ★ with 638 Apple Store Reviews | 4.2 ★ with 59 Google Play Store Reviews (100K+ Downloads)

freegle-best-green-reuse-app

Do you have any items that you no longer require? Freegle will figure out a way to get rid of it. If you need anything, Freegle will connect you with those who are willing to give it to you. It’s “internet dating for things,” as Freegle calls it.

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • Freegle diverts thousands of usable items from landfills each year, reducing waste and the demand for new resources.
  • The service promotes local reuse, helping lower emissions associated with manufacturing, packaging, and transporting new products.

How It Works

  • Users create an account and post a message offering an item they no longer need.
  • Others browse the listing and send a message expressing interest.
  • The original poster chooses a recipient, who then collects the item at a mutually agreed-upon time.
  • Users can also post wanted ads or browse listings in their local area to find what they need.

Price: Free

Devices: iPadOS, Android

Social Presence: 

18. Fat Llama – 4.8 ★ Stars 9 Apple Store Reviews (10K+ Downloads)

fat-llama-top-green-reuse-app

Fat Llama is a hyper-local peer-to-peer rental marketplace. 

It’s ideal for when you only require something temporarily and do not want to keep it. You can rent anything from a snowblower to a rental car, but multimedia and videography devices appear to be the most common. Their software is extremely easy to use.

Environmental Impact & Metrics

  • Fat Llama encourages a shift from ownership to access, helping reduce demand for new products and lowering the carbon footprint of manufacturing.
  • Renting extends the lifespan of underused items, such as cameras and tools, that would otherwise remain idle or be discarded prematurely.
  • The platform supports the circular economy by enabling short-term sharing instead of repeated buying and wasting, cutting back on landfill and excess production.

How It Works

  • Users create an account and either list an item to lend or browse available rentals by location and category.
  • Lenders upload item details with a photo, set a rental price, and approve incoming requests.
  • Borrowers book items for specific dates and complete identity verification before arranging collection with the lender.
  • Once the rental is complete, the item is returned, payment is processed securely, and both parties can leave reviews.

Price: Free

Devices: iOS, Android

Social Presence: 

18 Top Apps to Tackle 21 Environmental Challenges

Tackling the 21 emerging environmental issues for the 21st century is becoming easier and more achievable with the listed eco-friendly apps here that will certainly encourage users to live greener and ways to reduce carbon footprints. Environmental awareness, including being environmentally friendly, is not as difficult as it seems, particularly if you have access to technology that can help you make greener choices.

The apps mentioned above would assist you in changing your everyday behaviour and improving your actions for a better world. Choose your favourites and begin enjoying them right away, as all of them are downloadable for free.

If you want us to add a suggestion here based on your experience, please get in touch with us!

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Author Profile

Manuela WillboldOnline Media & PR Strategist
Blogger and Educator by Passion | Senior Online Media & PR Strategist at ClickDo Ltd. | Fascinated to Write Lifestyle Blogs in News & Education I have completed a journalism summer course at the London School of Journalism and manage various blogs.

About Manuela Willbold 138 Articles
Blogger and Educator by Passion | Senior Online Media & PR Strategist at ClickDo Ltd. | Fascinated to Write Lifestyle Blogs in News & Education I have completed a journalism summer course at the London School of Journalism and manage various blogs.

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