The internet isn’t always easy
Sustainable e-commerce businesses are not that easy to recognize and verify. It’s a bit like when you go to the garage and you’re told that there is a problem with your car: since you don’t know cars, you trust the mechanic. Laixa would like that to change! Therefore, it will be your honest mechanic and will help you demystify everything. And whether you’re an entrepreneur or just an avid online shopper, Laixa has you covered! To do so, you’ll learn about Chrome extensions, websites and a plugin that will help you better identify the REAL green and sustainable e-merchants! In the event that you end up choosing not to buy from a green e-merchant’s site, our pro will also offer alternatives to make your purchases more responsible.
Tools that will change how you browse the web
For the entrepreneur in you
- Website Carbon
Have you ever considered that a webpage has a carbon footprint? Due to several factors, visiting websites has a greater ecological impact than you might think!
“On average, a viewed website page results in the production of 1.76 grams of CO2, and 7 grams for a Google query.”
Website Carbon makes it possible to analyze the consulted website’s carbon footprint. Laixa has tested this tool on its own site and on Axial’s site. Unfortunately, the two websites don’t get a perfect rating. Why? Because to determine a page’s ecological impact, you have to take a lot of things into account. For example, it is necessary to count the number of requests sent to the server, the weight of the page in bytes and the page’s loading time.
“The richer a page is in content, media, and animation… the more energy it consumes.”
In addition, Website Carbon is able to identify the type of energy used by hosting servers. In the case of Axial’s website, the tool found that the agency was running on renewable energy! One thing is certain, thanks to Website Carbon, both Laixa and Axial are now aware of their digital carbon footprint. Now it’s our turn to get a better score!
Website link: https://www.websitecarbon.com/
Whether entrepreneur or consumer, everyone wins!
2. EcoCart
Online shopping is silently contributing to climate change. With one click, EcoCart automatically calculates and eliminates the carbon footprint associated with your shipping of online orders. As a consumer, you can even choose to which project you want to contribute. For example, you can protect forests, purify water and help establish wind farms. So you’re taking action on behalf of the environment by donating only 1 to 2% of the total value of your shopping cart! As an entrepreneur, you can register your business with EcoCart. This way, you’re directly giving your consumers the chance to buy responsibly. The e-commerce plugin is free and can be integrated without coding. Seriously, what are you waiting for?
To benefit as a consumer: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ecocart-carbon-neutral-sh/oiafedhhdhinjnianpfeaenmchnknchi
To benefit as an entrepreneur: https://ecocart.io/business/
For the consumer in you
3. Good On You
Good On You doesn’t require any installation. Before finalizing your purchase, you can use the Good On You search bar to check if your brand is indeed responsible! You can also shop directly on Good On You to make your job easier and quickly find sustainable and green businesses. A score is assigned based on the brand’s impact on the planet, people and animals. In the event where the company is less respectful than you thought, Good On You will offer you other alternatives!
Website link: https://directory.goodonyou.eco/
4. Tab for a cause
This extension enables you to raise money for a charity with every open browser tab! By browsing the web and having Tab for a Cause downloaded, you can build libraries, plant trees, send emergency aid, provide drinking water, and more. Choose the charity you want to support!
Essentially, each time you open a tab, you’ll be greeted by a page filled with personalized widgets, images and a few advertising banners. Tab for a Cause therefore literally transforms the “new tab” page! The plugin collects advertising revenue and uses it to donate to the cause you support!
Download it here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/tab-for-a-cause/gibkoahgjfhphbmeiphbcnhehbfdlcgo
5. Ecosia
Ecosia is a search engine that donates 80% of its profits to non-profit associations. Specifically, Ecosia plants trees in Burkina Faso, Peru, Tanzania, Madagascar and 12 other countries. By using Ecosia, each search query eliminates 1 kg of CO2. How does it work and why is it free? Ecosia takes advantage of its search engine’s advertising costs to contribute financially to worthy causes.
Search engine link: https://www.ecosia.org/
