It's pretty self-evident by now that going green has its advantages. Of course, it's about conserving energy and preserving the environment.

But in a lot of ways, it's also about saving you a ton of money.

The electricity you use not only plays a huge role in the bills you pay but in the state of our planet. So, saving money on heating, gas, and electricity can also help keep the Earth happy.

For those willing to begin or continue a journey toward sustainability, explore this list of apps that will help you go green and adopt a healthier and more mindful lifestyle.

1. Brightly

The Brightly app offers a warm and supportive community with a focus on low waste and sustainable living. With Brightly, you can read interesting pieces on plant-based foods, low-waste options, eco-friendly beauty products, and much more.

On top of that, the app allows you to like, comment, and share posts, so that you can connect with other Brightly users and share your favorite posts with friends. Brightly also has its own marketplace, where you can buy gift cards for friends and family and check out some of the best eco-friendly products available.

The app releases monthly product drops, which range from backpacks to mascara. These can sell out quickly, so keep a close eye on any upcoming drops if you want to snag some sustainable pieces.

Download: Brightly for iOS | Android (Free)

2. JouleBug

JouleBug is an app that helps you form green habits by rewarding you for doing good. The app will encourage you to be more sustainable by awarding you with various badges and points every step of the way.

You'll get points for actions like biking to work instead of driving, or bringing a reusable shopping bag to a store.

Plus, JouleBug is an app that helps you save money. You can sync it up to your utility bills and see how much money you're saving each month by going green.

Ask your friends to join the app to add an element of friendly competition to your sustainability journey. Besides, changing your lifestyle is always more fun when you're doing it with others.

Download: JouleBug for iOS | Android (Free) Related: The Best Charitable and Eco-Friendly Online Shopping Extensions for Conscious Shoppers

3. Eco Life Hacks

Eco Life Hacks is a great app for recognizing your environmental shortcomings and tackling them using the range of tips and advice it offers.

When you initially open the app, you'll be asked to answer a few questions on your general lifestyle (your diet, choice of transport, and others). This quiz will allow you to see the level of your environmental impact.

From there, you can access tips and information on just about every aspect of your life, which can help in directing you towards living more sustainably and eco-consciously. For example, if you think you're creating too much waste, you can check out the Waste section of the app. It provides advice on using up inedible parts of food, using zero-waste beauty products, and getting rid of cooking oil correctly.

You can also write your own tips if you have some valuable knowledge to share about going green.

Download: Eco Life Hacks for Android | iOS (Free)

4. BlaBlaCar

One great step toward going green is sharing car rides. Not only does this save you money, but it also helps reduce CO2 emissions and their impact on the environment.

A great app for both finding and providing rideshares is BlaBlaCar. With this app, you can search for available rideshares in your location and select rides based on your desired pick-up and drop-off points. The same goes for providing rideshares, and you can also charge passengers a sum of your choosing to hitch a ride with you.

While it's not available in the United States, BlaBlaCar is worth a look for those in Europe and other supported countries. Even though the app claims its systems are very secure, don't forget about basic safety when ridesharing.

Download: BlaBlaCar for iOS | Android (Free)

5. HowGood

It's no secret that what goes into the groceries you buy affects not only your health but the environment as well. With HowGood, you can scan a product's barcode or search for it on the app to find the product info.

Put simply, the app tells you how good something is both for your health and the environment. It has over a hundred thousand products already rated. Scores are based on a combination of factors, such as community impact, growing practices, and food processing.

Use this app to become (and stay) informed about what you eat and how it affects the world around you. And if you plan to go vegan as part of your eco-friendly lifestyle, use these vegan apps and sites to make the transition easier on yourself.

Download: HowGood for iOS | Android (Free)

6. PaperKarma

Junk mail is annoying and, especially when it comes in the form of useless magazines, leaflets, and catalogs, it's also bad for the environment. But before you decide to toss those into a trash bin, scan them with PaperKarma.

The app's mission is to reduce paper waste by getting rid of junk mail. Next time you receive unwanted mail, take a photo of it. Make sure it includes your name, address, and the sender's details.

That's all you have to do to unsubscribe from offending junk mail. PaperKarma takes care of the rest on your behalf.

Download: PaperKarma for iOS | Android (Subscription required, free trial available) Related: Eco-Smartphones: Sustainable Phones and Their Green Credentials

7. Good On You

If you're looking to improve your shopping, you might want to start by learning about ethical alternatives to your favorite products. Good On You is the app that can help you determine which brands are considered ethical.

All you have to do is search for a brand name or type of product and see how it rates. The ratings are based on the brand's labor, environmental, and animal rights practices. That way, you can make informed purchasing decisions according to the information you learn about the brands.

Good On You also offers some discounts for its users, so you can save money while shopping.

Download: Good On You for iOS | Android (Free)

Are You Ready for a Greener Lifestyle Change?

Changing your ways might feel like a lot of work. But there are plenty of resources, including these climate change tools, that can make it easier if you take it one step at a time.

And if it's for a good cause, like saving our planet for future generations, then why not make an effort?