We recently had the privilege of interviewing Farah Alkhateeb, Founder of eGreenBadge, a revolution in the e-commerce waste management field. Driven by a passion for problem-solving and environmental sustainability alongside business expertise,
Farah founded eGreenBadge to tackle UAE’s mounting online shopping packaging waste.
With years of experience in sales, client service, and business development, eGreenBadge unites shoppers, retailers, and recyclers in a collective effort to fight waste. eGreenBadge is sparking a revolution in this field, empowering individuals and businesses with a simplified recycling process and fostering a sustainable future in the UAE.
The Beginning
We started the interview by asking, “How did you get started, and what led you to where you are today?”
Farah Alkhateeb shared, “I’ve always been passionate about nature and sustainability, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that I truly noticed the overwhelming amount of packaging waste from online shopping. Like many others, I started shopping online more frequently and soon realized how difficult it was to manage all that waste.
When I started asking around, I discovered that most people weren’t recycling their packages. This led me to conduct a survey, which confirmed that recycling rates for delivery packaging were very low. That’s when I knew I had to find a solution, and the idea for eGreenBadge was born – an initiative designed to make recycling packaging easier and more rewarding.”
Current Offerings At eGreenBadge
We were interested to learn more about Farah Alkhateeb’s role as the Founder of the business and its current offerings. So, we asked, “Can you share more about your current role and the business you lead? What are the core services/products you provide?”
Farah Alkhateeb replied, “As the founder of eGreenBadge, my role spans multiple aspects. Initially, I focused on deeply understanding the problem of packaging waste and developing a solution that fits the market and addresses sustainability. To create a meaningful impact, I knew I needed to consider all stakeholders—consumers, businesses, and the environment.
Beyond product development, my role also involves building partnerships and fostering collaboration. eGreenBadge operates like an ecosystem; it cannot succeed in isolation. We work closely with logistics, eCommerce platforms, and communities to bring our solution to the UAE.
We provide a digital solution that enables online shoppers to log their deliveries, recycle their packaging, and track their sustainability efforts. Our app offers incentives, including points and rewards, for recycling. Meanwhile, our B2B dashboard helps companies monitor and reduce Scope 3 emissions, aligning with their sustainability goals. We’re creating a seamless way for individuals and businesses to actively contribute to the circular economy.”
Adaptability Amidst Uncertainties
Challenging phases are an inevitable part of every business. So, we asked, “What challenges have you faced as a business leader, and how have you overcome them?”
Farah Alkhateeb responded, “One of the challenges we expect to face is changing consumer behavior – getting individuals to recycle more and encouraging businesses to take responsibility for their packaging waste. We’re making sustainability accessible and enjoyable through a user-friendly app that rewards eco-friendly actions. Our strategy combines awareness-raising with gamification, motivating individuals to take action. We’re also partnering with schools and universities to instill environmental values in younger generations, fostering a lifelong commitment to sustainability.
On the business side, establishing partnerships with logistics and recycling companies has been a challenge, but as we continue to gain validation by showcasing our innovative approach and technology, we are building stronger collaborations. By demonstrating the clear value of eGreenBadge, we’re gaining the trust of key stakeholders in the industry.”
Embracing Innovative Practices
We further asked, “How do you see technology, especially AI, impacting your industry? Are there any innovative practices you’re implementing?”
“At eGreenBadge, we’re building a recycling solution powered by data. Our vision is to digitize recycling and make it a natural next step in online shopping. We’re creating an integrated eCommerce process that connects the entire supply chain—from eCommerce to recycling.
Tracking the lifecycle of packages and monitoring consumer recycling habits couldn’t be achieved without leveraging technology. We’re exploring AI in specific features to better track and analyze packaging waste data, enhancing our ability to provide actionable insights. In future versions, we plan to take the product to the next level by incorporating AI to further enhance our capabilities.” She added.
Towards A Green Future
Eager to understand Farah’s perspective on the coming times in her field, we inquired, “What are your views on the future of the industry you’re associated with?”
Farah Alkhateeb replied, “The future of eCommerce is undoubtedly green, but the challenge of waste management must be tackled collectively. While some individuals are driven by their love for nature and a sense of personal responsibility, we can’t rely solely on personal journeys to solve this issue. We need a responsible corporate community to take the lead, raise awareness, and inspire sustainable consumer behavior.
For eCommerce to truly transform, businesses must step up, take responsibility, and engage their customers in sustainability efforts. The opportunity for innovation is immense. AI and digitalization have touched every aspect of our lives, and now they have the potential to serve the planet as well. A circular economy is achievable, and here in the UAE, we have a unique opportunity to realize it by leveraging technology to track and reduce our environmental impact.”
Message To Aspiring Professionals
Addressing the beginners of Farah Alkhateeb’s industry, we asked, “What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs or leaders looking to make an impact in your industry?”
“Focus on solving real problems. Sustainability is not just a trend; it’s a necessity. If you can create solutions that are practical, scalable, and impactful, you will make a difference. Be persistent—there will be challenges, but staying committed to your vision is key. Also, collaboration is crucial. Partner with like-minded individuals and organizations to amplify your impact.” Farah responded.
Balancing Work And Life
We ended the session by asking, “How do you maintain a work-life balance while managing a business?”
“For me, it’s not about balance but harmony. Leading a business with passion makes the ride fun, even when it’s challenging or tiring. If you’re putting effort into something you truly care about, overcoming those challenges becomes easier.
As a single mom to an 8-year-old daughter, I’ve learned that some weeks, it feels like I’m constantly saying ‘no’ to her because of work, but then there are other weeks where we’re spending quality time together with ease and enjoying the abundance of time. It’s about accepting that harmony exists, even if things aren’t perfectly balanced all the time.” Farah concluded.
Follow Farah Alkhateeb on LinkedIn.
Find eGreenBadge on LinkedIn and visit their website https://egreenbadge.com/
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