The best apps for measuring and reducing your carbon footprint

Energy scarcity, dwindling resources, pollution... Many people are aware of these environmental issues and want to act at their own level. Are you one of them, but don't know where to start? What if the key to your personalised action plan was hidden in your smartphone?

There are plenty of applications available to help you adopt more responsible consumption habits and reduce your carbon footprint. Here is our selection.

Carbo: for a complete analysis of your carbon impact

Available on mobile and on desktop, Carbo and its fun interface not only allows you to assess your carbon impact by analysing your lifestyle (diet, transport, heating, etc.) but also suggest an action plan and challenges to reduce it. Even better, you can challenge your friends and family!

Mobile Carbonalyser: using your smartphone more sparingly

Developed by Orange and based on the work of The Shift Project, this application lets you analyse your smartphone's data consumption. It converts the data into electricity consumption, then into CO2 emissions, and even gives you tips on how to reduce your impact. Enough to make you a specialist of digital sobriety!

Spin: the new 100% Luxembourg initiative to reduce waste

Launched in spring 2023 by Valorlux, this project aims to reduce takeaway waste and is very promising. It consists in a deposit system for reusable cups, completely free of charge, which is already available in 15 sales outlets in Luxembourg City. Bonus: everything is packaged and washed in Sanem and other packaging such as reusable pizza boxes could soon be available!

Clear Fashion: for more ethical and responsible fashion

Inspired by Yuka, Clear Fashion gives you information not only on the origin of your clothes, but also on the social and environmental impact of your favourite brands. 150 criteria are analysed. They are classified in 4 categories (Human, Environment, Health and Animals). A score out of 100 is then awarded to help you make a more ethical and responsible purchase. Easy, isn't it?

F4all: to struggle against food waste in Luxembourg

Founded at the end of 2018, Food 4 all (F4A) is well established in the country and has already won multiple awards. One of its core values is to give everyone access to quality food. How does it work? The app allows you to buy and recover unsold food at a lower cost to avoid food waste. It's a doubly beneficial system, since it limits our waste while you save money.

RE programme: how about recycling our phones?

Saving money is also the aim of Orange Luxembourg's RE programme. It is based on 4 main pillars:

• Recycling

• Reconditioned

• Redeem

• Reparation

Its mission? To give a second life to your old smartphones. Whether they're in excellent condition or damaged, many phones are lying dormant in our drawers. By taking them back to an Orange shop, you can be sure that they'll be worth something.

Is it in good condition? We'll take it back in exchange for a voucher worth up to €700, depending on the model and general condition. Has it had a few problems? We can help you repair it. And if the cause is definitively lost (rest in peace dear Nokia 3310), we'll take care of recycling it.