Sunday Business Post | Irish Business News

Breaking News Business Ireland World Sport Weather

Navigation (Home)News News Features The Market Media & Marketing Comment & Analysis Computers In Business Profile Property Motoring Agenda Letters

People In Business Budget Forum Events / Conferences Company Reports Tools Crossword Search the archives Newsletter IMODE RSS

Text-Only

No-guilt guide to going green
Sunday, September 28, 2008 By Christina Park
Jo Gallagher and Gina Geagan are self-confessed ‘‘unlikely environmentalists’’, so it’s surprising they are the brains behind a website that advocates sustainable living.

The women came up with the idea two years ago when they tried to set up a Christmas farmers’ market in Bundoran, Co Donegal, and found it surprisingly difficult to source producers and suppliers.

It led to them setting up GreenMe.ie, an award-winning website offering a ‘‘no guilt trip, sacrifice-free’’ guide to sustainable living.

‘‘We’re not crusaders by any means,’’ said Gallagher. ‘‘What we want is to make living a greener lifestyle easy and appealing. People have this idea that it’s expensive and difficult being green. But it’s not - there are easy, fun steps you can take.”

Both business partners had a background in business - Gallagher in marketing for technology companies, and Geagan in tourism. They initially set up a virtual farmers’ market directory, called Greenshed.ie, but soon realised that the remit needed to be broader than just food production.

‘‘On a wider scale, there didn’t seem to be any sort of route to market at all, or obvious directory source for the wider green industry,” said Gallagher.

The directory was renamed GreenMe.ie, and was expanded to include 17 sectors covering the whole green industry, from the responsible DIY enthusiast to the eco-fashionista. Since then, the website has further evolved into ‘‘a social network for the green industry’’.

As well as a directory of businesses, it now includes news, gossip, expert tips and blogs. Regular bloggers include slow-food guru Ollie Moore and Nicola Jones, who has her own award-winning blog on interior design. Guest bloggers have included Darina Allen.

Earlier this year, Gallagher and Geagan went into partnership with media personality Duncan Stewart, who has helped to ensure that GreenMe.ie maintains its integrity by not promoting so-called ‘‘green washers’’. In order to be listed on the site, companies must meet strict criteria - not just producing ‘‘green’’ products, but running their businesses in a sustainable way. There is also a facility for customers to rate listed businesses.

‘‘This transparency enables our users to make an informed decision on whether or not their chosen company, product or service is making an acceptable contribution to the environment,” said Geagan.

Businesses can take a free entry-level listing, to ensure comprehensive listings. There are then bronze, silver and gold memberships, depending on the size of the business and the way the company is profiled. A database of users helps eco-firms to target customers specifically interested in their sector.

‘‘Our goal is to become the TripAdvisor of the green world,” said Geagan, referring to the popular travel website, ‘‘to give an informative, engaging and sometimes irreverent guide to all shades of green.”

Click here for Sunday Business Post stories before this date