Top 5 Sustainable Shopping Apps for Beginners

Have you ever wanted to shop more ethically, but didn't know where to start? I've been there before! It seems impossible at times to know whether or not a brand is ethical, and many are not transparent about their practices. It seems like most brands these days are vocal about their conservation efforts, but have little proof to back up their claims. Even if you're wanting to shop second-hand, it's difficult to find apps and/or websites that have sustainability as one of their core values.

Well, search no more! Here I've complied a list of apps that will help you on your way to becoming a more sustainable and ethically-conscious shopper:

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1) Good On You

The Good on You app was recommended to me by a friend, and it's now one of my favorites. They were founded with the belief that brands should be transparent about their operations as well as their impact on important issues. Simply search for one of the 1000+ clothing brands in their database, and the app will provide detailed information on their practices. Good On You considers 3 citeria for each brand:

1) People, including policies & practices affecting workers across the supply chain

2) Planet, meaning brand resource use and disposal, energy use, carbon emissions, etc.

3) Animals, identifying brand use of fur, down, feather, and more

Good On You conveiently uses this information to give each brand a rating out of five, and links you to the websites of brands receving a 3/5 or higher. If that wasn't enough, they also offer exclusive in-app offers on notable sustainable brands.

Available on iPhone & Android

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2) Buycott

The Buycott app encourages you to 'vote with your wallet'. When you first download the app, you have the chance to join crowd-sourced campaigns concerning issues you care about. This can range anywhere from animal welfare to civil rights. Then, as you shop, you can scan the barcode of an item to see its product history, as well as your chosen campaigns that it conflicts or aligns with.

This two-step process is designed to help you weigh the ethical cost of each purchase, making you a well-informed consumer. The app also allows you to message a brand directly via Facebook, Twitter, etc. and voice your opinion (positive or negative) about their practices. Buycott is not a fashion-focused app, but its convenient barcode scan can certainly be used for clothes shopping.

Available on iPhone & Android

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3) Rent the Runway

If you've ever balked at the idea of buying an outfit for one special event, Rent the Runway is the app for you. Using the app, you can select clothing from hundreds of luxury designers and pay to rent that clothing for a certain period of time. Since you'll be renting your selections, these items are also heavily discounted, sometimes at a difference of hundreds of dollars! They offer one-time purchases as well as a membership starting at $89 a month. While their membership is a bit out of my price range, perhaps it would be the perfect fit for you! Their members enjoy perks such as member reviews, exclusive discounts, and more.

Bottom line, the ability to rent your clothes saves you the guilt of buying something just to wear it once, and having it sit in the back of your closet afterwards. Renting instead of buying is also a surefire way to extend the life of a garment and engage less wasteful practices.

Available on iPhone

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4) Vinted

If you prefer to buy your clothing secondhand (good for you!), the Vinted app does just that. Secondhand shopping has become extremely popular in the past few years, and for good reason. It's important to make fashion purchases that benefit individuals rather than questionable corporations.

Buying with Vinted is fast and secure, allowing you to pay via PayPal, bank card, or Vinted Wallet and see your item's estimated arrival time at checkout. Plus, sellers are rewarded with zero selling fees for items sold. I'm personally a big fan of their buyer protection policies, which include:

1) An optional buyer protection fee, 3-8% of the item price

2) A reliable refund policy, as long as you request it within 2 days of delivery

Similar to Rent the Runway, ahopping secondhand with Vinted ensures longevity of a garment and reduces the amount of waste created.

Available on iPhone & Android

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5) TreeClicks

With deforestation accounting for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the time is now to consider our carbon footprint, and more importantly, how we can reduce it. That's where TreeClicks comes in.

You start by downloading their app or online Chrome extension. Next, choose from over 50,000+ partner shops through the app/with your extension enabled. TreeClicks then receives a fee from your shopping activity, which it uses to plant trees in India. This extension is free for the user, and shopping prices are never affected. TreeClicks is also not a fashion-focused app, but it feels good to shop for your next outfit knowing your purchases are contributing to a worthy cause.

Available on iPhone & Android