I have been living a sustainable life, having acquired these values from my culture and way of living since childhood. However, my journey of supporting sustainability on Google Maps is still in its infancy stage.
This journey began after reading an Earth Day post titled Help others choose sustainability with Google Maps by Googler @Julie_A, posted on 01.04.2025. Inspired by her call, I added a few EV charging stations on Google Maps, out of which two were approved.
In April 2025, I participated in the Mapping for Green – April Challenge – #LocalGuidesCleanTheWorld initiated by Sustainability Star 2022 & Connect Moderator @ErmesT. Although I organized a meetup as suggested in the challenge, I was not able to add the targeted 30 recycling drop-off locations on Maps. However, I did manage to add several such locations.
Meanwhile, I wrote multiple reviews highlighting sustainability-friendly practices . Further, responding to a call by Connect Moderator @AdrianLunsong, I shared a post on Planet-Friendly Reviews.
Recently, while preparing for my five-minute presentation on Sustainability at the 665th meetup of India Local Guides, I searched for the term “Sustainability” on Connect and came across two insightful posts on contributing to sustainability through Google Maps. These were:
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5 ways to support sustainability on Google Maps by Googler @TiffanyBnyc, and
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5 easy ways you can help the environment on Google Maps by former Googler @DeniGu.
By combining the key takeaways from the posts of Googlers Julie_A & TiffanyBnyc and former Googler DeniGu I concluded that we can contribute to sustainability on Google Maps in six effective ways. Below are the six ways through which I Support Sustainability on Google Maps.
1. Promoting Sustainability Through Reviews
In my reviews, I highlight environmentally responsible practices such as the use of biodegradable or paper-based packaging, the availability of reusable or non-plastic cutlery, waste segregation systems, and efforts to reduce single-use plastics. I also mention initiatives like the use of solar energy, the provision of RO drinking water instead of plastic-packaged water bottles, and the presence of indoor or outdoor plants on the premises.
Here is my related previous post, Planet Friendly Reviews, where I explained how I have contributed towards sustainability by writing planet-friendly reviews.
My latest planet-friendly review is here Further, when I write a review, several questions (business attributes) appear below the review text box. These require us to either select an option or type a response in the space provided.
Under the “Vegetarian options” section, two questions usually appear. For example, while writing a review of a restaurant, I selected “Highly recommended” in response to the question “Would you recommend this place to vegetarians?” and “The menu is all vegetarian” in response to the question “How would you describe the vegetarian offerings?”
2. Updating Sustainability Attributes:
We can update the sustainability attributes of a business by visiting its business profile on Google Maps. There, we will find the “About” section. After tapping on “About,” we can access the “Edit features” option, as shown in the figure.
For restaurants, tapping “Edit features” opens the “Offerings” section. By selecting “More” under Offerings, we can specify whether the restaurant provides vegan, vegetarian, or vegetarian-only options.
For other businesses, such as shopping malls, tapping “Edit features” displays the “Recycling” section. In this section, we can select the appropriate recycling facilities or recycling collection options available at that location. As shown in the figure, recycling attributes include batteries, clothing, electronics, glass bottles, ink cartridges, light bulbs, metal cans, plastic bags, and plastic bottles.
By default, each option is marked with a question mark ( ? ). We can update the information by tapping the tick (✓) or cross (✗) as applicable, and then tapping “Submit” at the bottom.
This is highly recommended, as it helps others make environmentally responsible choices. However, it is important to note that points are awarded only when this information is provided during the review process. If the features are edited later directly in the business profile, a thank-you message is shown, but no points are awarded.
Using this facility, I have updated the features of several businesses on Google Maps and instantly received a “Thank you” message on my mobile screen.
3. Mapping Green Initiatives:
Whenever you come across any location that promotes sustainability and is not yet available on Google Maps, you can add it to Maps to help others.
For example, I have added several EV charging stations, recycling drop-off locations, as well as plant nurseries, and drinking water fountains on Google Maps.
4. Answering Quick Questions:
Sometimes, we receive prompts in our Google Maps profile to answer simple yes/no questions related to businesses we have visited. Alternatively, we can choose to answer such questions by tapping “Answer simple yes/no questions to help others” in our Maps profile. We earn one point for each answer.
These questions appear randomly, so we cannot specifically choose sustainability-related questions. However, once we start answering, we often come across questions related to sustainability, such as “Does this place only serve vegetarian food?”, as shown in the figure.
In DeniGu’s post, we can see a screenshot of a recycling-related question: “Can we drop off batteries for recycling here?”
I have answered such questions many times, as this is one of my favorite types of contributions.
5. By adding Photos (Including Video):
This is also one of my favorite types of contributions. In our Google Maps profile, we get the option to add photos and videos by tapping “Add photo” . Using this feature, we can upload visual content that highlights sustainability-focused practices and places.
We can add photos or videos of existing recycling drop-off locations, EV charging stations, green spaces, solar panels, and awareness campaigns such as “Save Water” and “Say No to Plastic.” These visual contributions help others easily identify and choose environmentally responsible places.
I have added sustainability-related photos and videos for several locations, including: Meditation Garden, Flower Clock, EV charging station, Smart bike, reusable non-plastic utensils in restaurant, Plastic bottle crushing machine, Drinking water facility, “Say No to Plastic” campaign, Solar panel installation, Planetarium, , Garden, Video of a nursery.
6. Creating and Sharing Lists:
We can promote sustainability on Google Maps by creating shareable lists of recycling centers, plant nurseries, parks, and other environmentally significant locations. Such lists help people make eco-friendly choices more easily.
I have created lists of nurseries, gardens, and recycling centers in Meerut. In the case of recycling centers, I will continue to add more places to the list whenever I come across new ones.
To create a list, tap “You” at the bottom of the Google Maps app. Then tap “+ New list,” which appears on the right-hand side. Here, you can name the list and add a description. By default, the list is set to Private, but to help others, you must change the visibility to “Shared.” Only shared lists are visible to others and can effectively contribute to promoting sustainability.
Edit:
As part of the celebration of 10 years of Local Guides, this post is an initiative to support sustainability on Google Maps and beyond using #LGC10SupportSustainability. Fellow Local Guides are requested to join this initiative by using #LGC10SupportSustainability while writing posts on Connect related to sustainability.
Question for you:
Which of the following ways have you used to support sustainability on Maps?
(Select all that apply)
- Writing reviews that highlight sustainable practices
- Updating sustainability attributes
- Mapping green initiatives
- Answering quick questions
- Adding photos and videos related to sustainability
- Creating and sharing lists
Simple actions on Maps can make a big difference for sustainability, great insights shared.
