How to use your cell phone in green ways

When it comes to sustainability, there's no shortage of information available for those who want to make informed decisions. But, it's not always available when you actually need it (while at the store, in a restaurant, or otherwise on the go).  

That's changing, thanks to the cell phone, which can put valuable information in the palm of your hand instantaneously. While iPhone owners have the most options, even the most low-tech phones can be used to make greener choices.

Here are some tools worth getting acquainted with (more are likely on the way):

• Can't keep track of healthy and sustainable fish? No need to. The most up-to-date info can be delivered to your phone while you're out to dinner or at the fish market. My favorite tool is Blue Ocean Institute's FishPhone. Send a text to "30644." Type in "FISH" and the name of the fish in question. You'll immediately get a text back with BlueOcean's assessment and alternatives, if necessary. View Environmental DefenseFund's Seafood and Sushi Selectors on web-enabled phones. 


• There are two ways to access GoodGuide's extensive database when you're shopping for safe, healthy, and sustainable products. Right now you can get ratings on toys, household chemicals, and personal care items. (Food and electronics assessments are coming soon.) If you have an iPhone, download the free application. Search for product info or pull up shopping lists you've already created. No iPhone? Send a text message to "41411." Type in "gguide" and whatever you're searching for: A product type (shampoo, for example), product name (such as Pantene), or the UPC code to see healthiest products, ingredients to avoid, and more.


• Climate Counts' Scorecards can be useful for those who want to vote with their dollars by supporting businesses that are actively addressing climate change. Companies in a wide range of industries (from electronics to food to apparel) are rated on a scale of 1 to 100 based on several factors. Send a text to "30644" to have ratings delivered to your phone. In the body of the message type in "cc" and a company name.


• Both Carticipate and Where.com are location-based applications that dispense information based on where you are. Use Carticipate's free iPhone rideshare application to connect to friends, family, and co-workers looking to coordinate driving plans. Staying local is good for the planet and in some cases, your wallet as well. Find cheap gas prices in your city, sales at local stores, and the nearest Zip-car location at Where.com. AccuFuel will help you monitor how your driving habits affect your car's fuel efficiency. Or try something as simple as emailing directions to your cell phone or using your phone's GPS system instead of printing out paper directions.

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.