Fast fashion is the second most environmentally unfriendly industry in the world. So conscious shopping has never been more important than now. But how, with so many brands on the market, can you tell where to buy? Which brands use more sustainable practices than others?
Fortunately, technology has an answer. Below are the five apps that can help you be more conscious about where you shop and how your actions affect the environment.
Good on You
This app was launched in 2015 in Australia and is available globally on iOS and Android. The algorithm is set up to analyze vast amounts of data from Greenpeace Detox, Fair Trade, Carbon Trust and other schemes of sustainability certification. The app, with that analysis, rates brands concerning labor conditions, environmental policies, and usage of animal products (hair, fur, leather).
By using Good on You, you can make a conscious choice to buy from retailers that make the effort to reduce their carbon footprint and work more sustainably. Moreover, the app offers suggestions, which are helpful if your favorite brand is rated “Not Good Enough” or “We Avoid.”
DoneGood
DoneGood’s founder Cullen Schwartz created the company to make it easy for people to be more conscious consumers. It’s a PBS, which legally makes them obliged to fulfill a social mission. The app (and the website) is a shop where people can buy things and know that their money is improving the world rather than making a dent in the environment.
Like Good on You, DoneGood uses the data from certification schemes to evaluate the applicants that want their businesses to be part of it. You can also download a DoneGood plug-in for your Desktop browser, to make your life easier. This service is currently not available “in most European countries”, due to missing GDPR compliance.
Wearwell
Shopping ethically does take up the precious time, so few people have – Wearwell has a solution to that. The sustainable fashion subscription service is modern, customer-oriented and can really help all users make the world a better place.
All you have to do is fill out a form stating your style preferences, the causes you support and how often you’d like the Wearwell box delivered. So not only would you be helping the planet in your own, unique way, you’d also look fabulous doing it. The best thing – you only pay for what you keep.
GoodGuide
There is a lot of info on how to shop more ethically for clothes, but less about make-up. The GoodGuide app (and website) provides a solution to that. They use information about make-up and household products and chemical regulations to help the consumers understand what they are actually buying and on the efforts manufacturers take to make the world a better place. By using GoodGuide, you can make a more conscious decision about what you buy and avoid potential health hazard, thanks to their dedicated team of scientists.
aVOID
This is not a mobile app, but a free browser extension. By installing it, you would instantly see whether the clothes you’re browsing on your computer are made with the use of child labor. The aVOID team works closely with brands and collects data to help you fight against child labor and know that you’re not adding to this very significant problem.
[td_smart_list_end]Photo credit: The feature image “Sofia – Vancouver Eco Fashion Week – Day 1 – Feb 23 11” was done by Jason Hargrove. All logos shown are owned by the respective companies they are listed with.
Sources: HuffPost / Faye Lessler (EcoWarriorPrincess) / Whitney Bauck (Fashionista.com)
