Most people think that consumerism is the enemy of environmentalism. And while there may be some truth in that statement, there’s no reason folks can’t be green while spending some green. Read on for a list of handy tips to lessen your shoe purchase’s carbon footprint.

Shop Smarter
Seek out sustainable products by using the GoodGuide iPhone app and text message alert system. The app lets users scan products’ barcodes with a smart phone and gain access to detailed information on the item’s health, environmental and social responsibility attributes. GoodGuide currently holds stats on 65,000 products and adds thousands of goods to the database every month. Be sure to download the app to help you choose the greenest personal care products, household items, toys and food.

Organize Shopping Trips
Scads of shoppers hit up malls, outlets and grocery stores every day. And in many cases, those consumers make that trip alone. Save money and gas by organizing carpools to commute to shopping centers. If you don’t know anyone looking to go on a shopping spree, fear not: A bunch of user-friendly iPhone apps and Web-based services make it easy to arrange car-shares. Find other local, mall-bound shoppers by using sites like CarpoolConnect.com, NuRide.com, ERideShare.com, CommuterLink.com and ZimRide.com. Or, try iPhone apps like Avego and Carticipate, which also match drivers with folks looking to hitch a ride. (more…)