Interview with The Greener Store
The Greener Storewas formed when four entrepreneurs from Chester, England set out to save people money by using more cost-effective and energy-efficient products. This interview was with co-founder of the store, Michael Winstanley, and was conducted August, 2010.
Cleaning Cleaner: The Greener Store is a terrific resource not only for eco friendly products, but information as well. Who was the brainchild behind its inception and what motivated you to create it?
Michael: Two of the directors have a background in selling health and fitness products into online retailers and many of the green and eco online retailers. This gave us an understanding of what eco minded customers look for when shopping online and helped us form the basis of our business plan and what would single us out from other online stores.
Having all been on the receiving end of huge electricity and heating bills over the winter months we started to look for innovative, cost-effective ways to save energy and money around the home. A big part of the challenge was to find a product range that can realistically and easily be integrated into busy 21st century lifestyles. After researching, evaluating and sourcing the most cost-effective and cutting-edge products they launched a welcoming, fresh-looking online store.
Cleaning Cleaner: What is the mission of the Greener Store?
Michael: We aim to help our customers save energy and reduce their co2 around the home and in everyday life. With energy prices soaring year on year and the cost of life expanding every day we aim to help even the people who might not consider themselves environmentally friendly , with innovative products that clearly state what the benefits are to its user. The majority of our products where applicable will clearly state in the advert how much money they can save you or how much co2 you can save by using the product.
Cleaning Cleaner: Does The Greener Store really think individuals like us can make a difference by moving toward greener living?
Michael: Definitely, people can be surprised by how much of a difference you can make by simply changing our habits with products we already use day to day. Although individuals can make a big difference through renewable energy and energy saving products, you will be surprised by how much money you can save on your energy by simply investing in a few £20-40 products to help you monitor and reduce your energy usage around the home.
Cleaning Cleaner: In your mind, what are the three easiest things a person can do to have a positive impact on the environment?
Michael: One of the biggest result of our lack lustre way of life over the last 20 years has been the size and quantity of landfill sites around the world which are filled with our rubbish 75% of which would be recycled and used again to remake a product. So recycling at home and in the office is a very easy change we can do to make a big difference and have a huge impact on the environment. With councils and supermarkets making it so easy to recycle our waste it is now easier than ever to make sure our waste is put to its best use. Secondly we would suggest thinking about our usage of bottled water and try to simply use a re-usable bottle rather than buy a new bottle of water every time we want refreshing, if it is the taste of tap water that puts you off drinking tap water try a personal filter bottle like Hydropal which you can take with you everywhere you go and fill with tap water , it is then filtered instantly while you drink. And finally to try reduce your usage of your car where possible by using public transport, a bicycle or walking. Travel accounts for roughly 24% of your total Co2 output. Over 90% of all UK commuters travel less than 30km to their workplace, but as many as 71% of British workers do that journey by car every day.
Cleaning Cleaner: Saving Energy, Garden and Solar and Eco Home are just a few of the many categories at The Greener Store. If you had to pick one “can’t live without it” product for each of these categories, what would it be and why?
Michael: Save Energy – Any of our range of energy saving monitors at The Greener Store jump to mind – You simply will be amazed by what is using energy in your home! If you are not careful it can become an obsession!
Garden and Solar – I am fond of our patio planters for people with limited space who want to be a little self sustaining!
Eco Home – The Cardboard Laptop Stand – The Greener Store has not sold many of these but I use one everyday and think it really is a great product and substitute for expensive plastic stands.
Cleaning Cleaner: There is a misconception out there that eco-friendly living is expensive. When people say “I can’t afford to go green”, how do you respond to that?
Michael: There are big changes you can make by just altering your everyday habits without necessarily having to spend any money. Recycling , changing your energy usage and monitoring how you use your car can make a huge difference on the environment, not only can you call yourself “green” but you will also see the benefits in the money you will be saving.
Cleaning Cleaner: It is obvious there is room for improvement when it comes to minimizing our personal impact on the environment. What do you think holds most people back from embracing a more eco-friendly lifestyle?
Michael: I think it is just down to the way as people we have been living our lives to date, it has only been in the last 6-7 years that people have really started to take note of the impact our lifestyles has on the environment so it is understandable not everyone wants to change right away. It is always hard to break a habit especially when it is something you have been doing all your life, however it is not impossible an people will change when they are ready and feel they want to make a difference. Hopefully our simple advice and products will help those join the eco-friendly lifestyle.
Cleaning Cleaner: What positive trends do you see?
Michael: We see general awareness of our environment increasing. I think society in general is slowly realising that the throwaway society which has been created through cheap mass production is simply not sustainable and is seriously harming our natural environment. Hopefully this awareness will continue to increase. Another positive thing is the increasing support of governments, especially in Europe, for green, eco and renewable projects. It is only through government initiatives that large populations will change there habits.
Cleaning Cleaner: What new and exciting things can we expect from the Green Store in the coming months?
Michael: We are always looking out for new and innovative products to add to The Greener Store so watch this space!