Getting an iPhone isn’t exactly a green action (unless doing so meant you wouldn’t buy a home phone, camera, iPod and computer) but the applications you add to your iPhone can do more than just provide you with entertainment while you’re waiting at bus stops or procrastinating at work. Some of the latest and greatest iPhone apps are designed to help your reduce your environmental impact and take you to a deeper shade of green. Here are five of our favorites (some of them free!) in no particular order.

1. MeterRead by ZeroGate, $4.99

This app (pictured above) takes a simple concept—monitoring your energy use—and uses the iPhone to make it even easier to do. Reading your meter on MeterRead and checking it regularly will allow you to know what your bill will be at the end of the month so you can budget accordingly, or better yet, work on ways to reduce your power consumption. It’s not free or even $0.99, but MeterRead can quickly pay itself off if you invest the time in learning it and using it.

2. iPhorest by iPhactory, $4.99

We’ll overlook the abuse of “iPh” in this application and its creator, and instead focus on what it does, which is plant a real tree for every application purchased (as well as the digital trees you can plant on your iPhone). Some have complained about the high cost for an app that doesn’t offer a lot of entertainment, but don’t think of it as an entertainment application. Think of it as a charitable donation that’s a little bit more fun than the average dollar-drop-in-a-bin. A good one for kids and a good starting point for future tree planting apps.

3. Green Gas Saver by The Apple Seed Store, Free

A few weeks back we wrote about hypermiling and this free app will help you put fuel-saving driving techniques into practice in your own life. Green Gas Saver will monitor whether you’re driving too fast or taking turns too hard and rate your score at the end. Not a bad way to remind yourself that the way you drive is directly related to how often you fill the tank (just don’t stare at your iPhone too much while you’re driving).

4. 3rd Whale Mobile by 3rd Whale, Free

Brand new and full of promise, this app guides you to the greenest restaurants, shops, spas and more in Google Map-search style (for when you’re not doing your green bargain hunting online). Businesses are listed based on their green claims, 3rd Whale’s research of those claims, and plenty of input from users and reviewers. It’s what Yelp would be if Yelp were all about the environment.

5. iTrans for Select Cities, Cost Varies

What’s greener than an iPhone app that tells you how to drive for fuel-effiency? One that helps you skip the car altogether. The iTrans apps are available for a few areas (including New York and Los Angeles) and guide you from home to wherever you need to go via public transit. Info on advisories and offline maps make this app even better. Perfect for anyone who’s too worried about getting lost or being late to try public transit.

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