Tech to Help Green Your Shopping Spree

Most people think that consumerism is the enemy of environmentalism. And while there may be some truth in that statement, there's no reason folks can't be green while spending some green. Read on for a list of handy tips to lessen your shoe purchase's carbon footprint.

Shop Smarter
Seek out sustainable products by using the GoodGuide iPhone app and text message alert system. The app lets users scan products' barcodes with a smart phone and gain access to detailed information on the item's health, environmental and social responsibility attributes. GoodGuide currently holds stats on 65,000 products and adds thousands of goods to the database every month. Be sure to download the app to help you choose the greenest personal care products, household items, toys and food.

Organize Shopping Trips
Scads of shoppers hit up malls, outlets and grocery stores every day. And in many cases, those consumers make that trip alone. Save money and gas by organizing carpools to commute to shopping centers. If you don't know anyone looking to go on a shopping spree, fear not: A bunch of user-friendly iPhone apps and Web-based services make it easy to arrange car-shares. Find other local, mall-bound shoppers by using sites like CarpoolConnect.com, NuRide.com, ERideShare.com, CommuterLink.com and ZimRide.com. Or, try iPhone apps like Avego and Carticipate, which also match drivers with folks looking to hitch a ride.

Paper-Free Coupons
Everyone loves a discount, but obtaining paper coupons results in quite a bit of tree death and chemical use. Instead, try using paperless, mobile coupons like those offered by Coupon Sherpa. The site provides exclusive and internet coupons for deals on jewelry, clothing, shoes, sporting goods and more. Download mobile coupons by using Coupon Sherpa's iPhone app. The app allows users to display coupon barcodes right on their phones so cashiers don't need to scan paper coupons. Coupon Sherpa offers new discounts daily to hundreds of stores.


What's Old is New Again
A huge part of living a green lifestyle is trying to reduce waste. Instead of purchasing brand new products, try buying gently used goods. Sites like eBay and Craigslist both offer previously owned items for sale. The stuff will still be new to you, and buying from sites like these can often save customers money. For even bigger savings, try Freecycle.org. The site connects folks who have unwanted stuff to people who are looking to take in items. With more than seven million members utilizing the site, you can be sure to snag some sweet, free goods in a town near you.

Shop at Green Businesses
There are many stores throughout the nation who only offer green products and engage in environmentally friendly business practices. To find an eco merchant near you, try using the Find Green app from GenGreen Digital Media. The app works like a Yelp for green businesses, using GPS to list nearby sustainable stores and services. The database contains more than 60,000 businesses, from yoga studios to bike shops to eco-friendly restaurants.

Like to shop and live an eco lifestyle? Tell us what you do to green your spending spree.

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By Sarah Parsons of of Inhabitat, an online magazine devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and design towards a smarter and more sustainable future. Written by a young tech-savvy team designers and design journalists, Inhabitat delivers fresh content daily, showcasing emerging work from the cutting-edge of the global design community.