The Best Free iPhone Apps for Earth Day

Now you can read the latest news and exclusive stories from Earth911 on iRecycle®.

There is nothing we love more than awesome technology that makes going green or getting eco info just a little easier. As self-proclaimed techies ourselves, we have seen a lot of green iPhone apps floating around the office on our staffers’ phones.

So, we thought we’d share some of our recent favorites to download just in time for Earth Day.

1. iRecycle®

OK, so we may be a little biased, but we think Earth911‘s iRecycle® iPhone app is pretty rad, to say the least. iRecycle®, allows users to pinpoint the nearest location to recycle specific items. The app has more than 100,000 recycling locations for more than 200 materials in its database. It also features our latest news and lifestyle articles, along with photos!

Available for free download, iRecycle® can pull up local recycling locations using GPS, so an address isn’t needed. Along with the location’s basic information, iRecycle also gives a detailed list of all items accepted for recycling, the location’s hours and contact information and can even give you turn-by-turn directions.

The user-friendly interface has an auto-complete feature to speed up your search. You can also dial the location directly from the app.

2. Treehugger

Released in early March, Treehugger‘s new app helps users get the latest news, hone in on the articles from favorite category or author, listen to TreeHugger Radio podcast and even check out the TreeHugger Twitter feed as we post news and info. Of course, you can also post your own updates, sending stories to your friends via email, posting on Facebook or tweeting them.

Because Treehugger publishes more than 30 stories daily, it can sometimes be tough to find where you’re looking for. We love Treehugger’s app because it helps narrow your search for the eco news that is specifically important to you.

Coupon Sherpa offers electronic coupons for more than 100 retailers nationwide. Photo: Appbeacon.com

3. Coupon Sherpa

Forget about flipping through and cutting out those coupons you receive in the mail. Consumers now have a new way to get their discounts without using a single sheet of paper. Coupon Sherpa is the new iPhone app that allows shoppers to access in-store coupons on their iPhone or iPod Touch.

Electronic coupons may be a solution to the piles of commercial mail consumers receive. According to a report by the nonprofit group ForestEthics, “Mail advertisements create 51.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases each year.” That’s equivalent to the emissions generated by heating about 13 million homes or mowing more than 20 billion lawns. With electronic coupons, you may be able to reduce your commercial mail while still retaining those discounts.

4. Carbon Calc

We love calculators. They are real, tangible stats to see just how much you’re impacting the world around you. Users can input driving, flying and home energy use to get a handle on their carbon footprint, then browse and purchase carbon offsets. However, the one complaint we’ve heard is that this app doesn’t take into account public transportation, food consumption and other activities with impactful carbon footprints.

5. iLocavore

Are you looking to live a locally supported lifestyle? To buy locally made products and to eat locally grown foods? Has it been a challenge to find domestically and locally made goods? If you answered, yes, yes and yes again, you may be a locavore – someone who strives to eat food grown and produced locally.

iLocavore is a tool for locavores and “shop local, buy local” enthusiasts. iLocavore is an application that brings you information from the Locallectual.com database.

Use it to follow the Locallectual blog, the automatic upgrades will assist you in your mission to live a locally supported lifestyle by allowing you to find local producers, independent retailers featuring local and domestic goods and restaurants featuring local foods all based on your current location.