Like every responsible modern-day citizen, I try to act “green” when possible, so downloading an app to find local eco-friendly businesses was a no-brainer. Using a refillable water bottle, recycling and taking public transportation are all easy ways to go green, but even if you live in one of the largest U.S., it can be hard to pinpoint the businesses with sustainable practices. The Find Green app ($1.99) allows you to locate eco-friendly businesses by industry, type and distance. Unfortunately, the app isn’t very green.
For instance, I was considering changing to a environmentally-friendly salon so I searched for some within walking distance of my condo. The selections weren’t plentiful (one result), and since I live in the heart of Chicago, the results were disappointing. However, when I searched the app using the driving selection instead of walking, the results improved. The irony, sadly, is obvious.
There are leaf ratings for businesses but no explanation on why organizations have two leaf ratings vs. four leafs. After some research, I found that if you go to GenGreenLife.com, you will find the stipulations. Navigating away from the app to find such info is not a good strategy.
I still might use the app if I’m traveling, but Find Green did not sway me from using a Web search instead of this app. The effort is noble, but the execution falls short.
