The ReGeneration is on the move! To make it easier for customers, Dell employees and stakeholders to find and participate in our conversations about the environment, we’re moving the best of our ReGeneration.org blog over here to Direct2Dell. You’ll find the same great posts about what’s news in “green” business and technology, along with the green tips so many of you tell us you love. Join the conversation!
What is Greenwala?
Greenwala is the first social network and media company dedicated to uniting consumers committed to living a sustainable lifestyle with brands aligned with their values.
What sets Greenwala apart from other environmental sites?
Greenwala was developed because too many other online and offline green communities were fragmented and disorganized, not to mention negative. The founders envisioned Greenwala as a social media and marketing company that provides the ultimate delivery mechanism to showcase green-based products, solutions and ideas for consumers and business owners. Greenwala’s flagship product is a social community made up of “greenwalas” — people who share knowledge and help others live a greener lifestyle. Within this community, members can learn to be green, brag about being green and share their actions with their friends, family and community.
What is new with the site?
On November 19, 2008 at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Boston, Greenwala launched the public beta version of wwww.greenwala.com. The site has been online now for two weeks and now boasts thousands of visitors, a majority of whom are sharing their thoughts and ideas to help others live a more greener lifestyle.
What are a few of the new features that are included in the redesign, and how should people use them?
Greenwala offers a place for members to blog about the steps they are taking to live a greener lifestyle; groups for gathering like-minded people who want to discuss and share information and ideas about specific issues, such as recycling or organic cooking, alternative fuel conversion, sustainable furniture design and more; and, social media campaigns such as “How Low Can You Go?” in partnership with North American lighting leader, OSRAM Sylvania, which invites entrants to submit a video or photo and description that details their actions to go green. One grand-prize winner chosen from all entries will win a trip for two to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom and $500 spending cash. Other features include Green Classifieds, where members can post just about anything, from goods (new & used) and services, to upcoming “green” events in communities, roommates, wanted, job listings, furniture, bikes, computers, etc. Instead of throwing something out, why not list in on the Greenwala classifieds for free?
How did you become interested in environmental issues, and what inspired you to start Greenwala?
I really wanted to be able to leave a legacy of sustainability for my children and their grandchildren. After realizing that there are a lot of people out there care about the environment, but are unsure about the steps that they can take to live a greener lifestyle, I became very passionate about finding a way that I could help teach the average person to become more green, without spending a lot of time, money or effort to do so. Small changes are what Greenwala is all about, changing out just one standard light bulb in your home for a CFL bulb, switching out one chlorine based detergent for a vegetable based product, there are many small lifestyle changes like this that can make a big difference.
What is next for Greenwala?
Greenwala will continue to grow its member community and invites anyone committed to living a sustainable lifestyle to join us as www.greenwala.com. We are also looking to expand our partnerships with businesses and brands that are also committed to sustainability and want to connect with like-minded consumers through Greenwala.
Rajeev Kapur, founder and Chief Wala for Greenwala, is a passionate, inclusive leader and accomplished change agent who orchestrates transformations in start-up, turnaround and high-growth businesses. He also is a former General Manager of Dell South Asia.