Using New Technology to achieve Zero waste
This Blog is about my 5 of my favourite Apps for Zero Waste Living. In today’s world it can be difficult to reconcile the desire to follow a Zero Waste Lifestyle and new technology. However, we should embrace it as it is an invaluable resource to help us achieve our goals.
You can also find out more about How to combine New Technology and Zero Waste on my other blog post
I’m not saying you should all rush out and buy the latest Smartphone so that you can download these Apps. But if you do have a Smartphone then I’m sure you’ll find these Apps really useful on your Zero Waste Journey.
5 of my favourite apps for zero waste living
Zero Waste Living is all about Refusing, Reducing, Reusing, Recycling and Rot (composting). These 10 Apps will help you Refuse, Reduce and Reuse.
1. Zero Waste Collective
Zero Waste Collective – This is a fairly new App. It is a UK based directory of Zero Waste Shops and Events.
It’s free to use and will help you locate your nearest shop, keep you up to date with events, and even help you find the nearest beach clean.
2. Olio
Olio – this is a food sharing App that helps reduce food waste. It connects friends, neighbours and local shops allowing them to list surplus food so it can be shared rather than thrown away.
3. Refill
Refill– The App to help you find where to refill your water bottle for free. It’s a great idea to carry a reusable bottle with you and this App makes sure that you will be able to find somewhere to refill it when you are out and about.
We want to disrupt the current social norm that we need to buy bottled water when ‘drinking on the go’ and make it normal and easy for people to carry a reusable bottle and refill for free when out & about. The objective of Refill is to stop millions of plastic bottles at source each year and prevent plastic pollution by making reusing a bottle simpler than buying a new one.
4. Freecycle
Freecycle – is a great way to share your unwanted items or look for things you need. You can join local Freecycle Groups and you can also now download the Freecycle + trash nothing App which makes it even easier to share and look for stuff.
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 5,308 groups with 9,311,340 members around the world. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by local volunteers.
5. Forest
Forest – You may wonder why I have included this App in my list as it’s an App will actually stop you checking your phone. It’s designed to help you to take time out from your phone and social media so that you can concentrate on other things and be present. It’s a simple way to get you to focus.
For me Zero Waste Living is about “how we do things” as well as what we do. For me part of that is about slowing down, being more conscious and living in the moment; so that we can enjoy what we have.
The app is simple fun way to help and starts by allowing you to plant a seed. This seed will gradually grow into a tree. But, if you leave the app to check on your social media accounts, your tree will start to die.
Try it, you may be surprised how often you unconsciously go to check your phone !
Do you have any favourite Apps or resources that help you to reduce your waste?
I have never thought of apps as a way to try and help with this side of living. I really like the idea of that food sharing one, I think it is fantastic. Really creative apps to help us live in a better way
Water bottles are such a great idea and you always end up having a drink with you too!
I love Freecycle, but I had no idea about the others. I definitely need this Forest! The water refill one would be handy for me too. Hate paying for mineral water! Xx
I haven’t tried Forest yet but it’s on my “To Do” list 🙂
We use freecycle and Trash Nothing, from that we got a TV unit and laminate flooring and all the glasses for our wedding. I would love to know where any local shops are zero waste, I would totally use them. Thanks for letting us know about these apps.
I love Freecycle it’s a great way to rehome stuff 🙂
These are wonderful, I love the sound of Olio. I hate to see food being wasted and I have often thought it would be great if surplus food could be made into little take away boxes for other people. Brilliant ideas here.
I’ve recently signed up to Olio and look forward to sharing with people and reducing my waste.
It’s a great concept, I’ve signed up but there aren’t many people in my area on it but hopefully that will change 🙂
I had no idea there were so many apps to help you be more eco. I like the idea of refill as Ive been trying to take my refillable water bottle out with me on days out.
I love the refill app as you know you can always find somewhere willing to fill your bottle for free
Oh these are such a great idea. It’s something I am becoming more more conscious of.
These are some truly useful apps, I want to use the food share one and refill as I don’t know where my nearest store is.
Starbucks Canada just announced a plan to donate all its unsold food and saving it from going to waste http://www.dailyamericanbuzz.com/2019/05/starbucks-canada-just-announced-plan-to.html
That’s good news, there’s just so much food that goes to waste it’s great to hear about new initiatives to reduce it