More and more, I’m seeing ethical businesses grow. My latest obsession comes in the form of apps – there’s a lot of power behind a service that’s quite literally in the palm of your hand anytime you want.
Over the last few months, I’ve been trying out different ethical apps that predominantly change the way I shop. This covers shopping for beauty products, clothes, and even meals. Here’s a list of my favourites, detailing the good they do and how they’ll improve your buying habits considerably too.
BorrowBox
Available on Android and iOS | Free
If you’re thinking about buying a new book to read, why not browse BorrowBox first? This app offers e-Books and e-Audiobooks for free, and is powered by libraries across the country. All you need is a library card to get started. And, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, why not shop for second-hand books on World of Books* instead?
eBay
Available on Android and iOS | Free
Before you buy something, have you checked eBay for it first? This is my favourite app to shop second-hand homewares and random items. Shopping second-hand is a great way to save money, and also avoid creating demand for new items (and new emissions).
Healthy Living
Available on iOS | Free
If you’re looking to find out more about the ingredients in your food and beauty products, the EWG Healthy Living app is for you. I first came across the Environmental Working Group (EWG) when I was searching up beauty product ingredients (yes, I used to look up almost everything in all my products… I’ve now made that more efficient by simply avoiding these 25 harmful beauty ingredients). Their Skin Deep database is brilliant when it comes to rating individual ingredients, as well as products and brands.
Hygglo
Available on Android and iOS | Free
I love a lending library, and our local one has so many great items for very cheap daily rates. If you don’t have access to a local lending library, or wish to connect to a nationwide network, Hygglo is the app to try. (You may have known it as ‘Fat Llama’ before!) This applies the same concept with physical items, enabling users to borrow stuff when they want, and rent their items out to make income too. The app detects your location, and then links you to available items in your area. Examples of items I’ve seen on there: camera equipment, skis, guitars, bikes, a camper van…
Good On You
Available on Android and iOS | Free
For my fellow sustainable fashion fans, the Good On You app makes shopping simple! You can use the app to check your favourite brands to see their ethics ratings, and also discover the cream of the crop when it comes to ethical producers, as well as see their offers and discounts using the app. Just be sure to recognise that Good On You runs a membership platform too – so certain brands are given more visibility over others.
Gumtree
Available on Android and iOS | Free
I love Gumtree, so much so that I created a Christmas Gift Guide with them! If you’re into supporting your local community, and second-hand, Gumtree is for you. Save on listing fees, delivery fees, and the like, and instead use this free platform to find local second-hand items near you. I’ve bought and sold so much through Gumtree over the years, I really do love it.
Olio
Available on Android and iOS | Free
Want to reduce food waste? Olio is the perfect app for you, whether you’re looking to make use of someone’s leftovers, or help a local shop to put their surplus stock to good use. Just like that sticky note you’d put on your fridge for your flatmates, you can advertise any food going spare in your pantry, and have someone pick it up from your house. It’s also great for random household items – I’ve given away beauty products, kitchen equipment, all sorts!
TrainPal
Available on Android and iOS | Free
I am in the top 3% of TrainPal users, which should tell you how much I travel by train, but also how much I love the TrainPal app! Not only is TrainPal cheaper than using Trainline or sometimes even the National Rail website, it offers the opportunity to plant trees and offset emissions. I’ve planted a small forest by this point!
Too Good To Go
Available on Android and iOS | Free
If shopping in someone’s else’s pantry isn’t your thing, but you wouldn’t mind helping your local takeaway reduce its food waste (I mean, hello, cheap Chinese food anyone?), Too Good To Go is the app you should download. Both in London and Brighton, I find myself surrounded by options any time of the day, and I can pay a set fee to the restaurant or café in question to receive a box full of food. I really like seeing cafés and shops that use Too Good To Go too – it shows they’ve recognised they have a food waste problem and wish to see their leftovers eaten, not going to landfill.
Vinted
Available on Android and iOS | Free
This list wouldn’t be complete without a spotlight on Vinted. At this point, Vinted is outperforming high-street brands in terms of popularity and brand recognition, and that makes me so happy. It’s my favourite app for selling and shopping second-hand clothes, as well as beauty products and accessories, and has millions of items to choose from. You can even shop my wardrobe on there! Plus you can get £15 to spend when you sign up and list three items to sell within 7 days using my link!
