Creator of "Carbon Neutral Bra" A Model Of Green Business

Creator of "Carbon Neutral Bra" A Model Of Green Business

Vidhura Ralapanawe is Mark and Spencer's Manager of Sustainability and Communications. He's also the head of a team that successfully manufactured what can be considered the world's first “carbon neutral” bra. What this means is that Ralapanawe and his group figured out the bra's carbon footprint, and then found a way to offset it. The bra is not brand new; it was first launched in April under Mark and Spencer's “Leaves” collection. Since it's release, however, Ralapanawe has been given a great deal of attention, and now has been nominated as a “cultural engineer” at the Honda Dream Factory.

So why is the Honda Dream Factory a big deal? The ten current members are all visionaries, who have all succeeded in making an impact on the world, in various fields. The 11th member will be determined by public vote and the election is being run by the UK's famed Guardian newspaper. Vidhura speaks candidly about his success, without being boastful. “A few times in my past I’ve worked in spaces where people come together. What that does for you is amazing. It just changes your perspective, your understanding of what is possible. For me sustainability is primarily a design question,” he says. “Every step of the way you have to keep re-visualising it. You have to ask why.”

The very factory in which Vidhura works is like something from an environmentalist's dream. Called “Thirulie”, the factory runs on sustainable energy from solar panels and hydroelectricity. Vidhura proudly explains, “We designed the factory to be a center for learning and inspiration. If you're serious about sustainability you have to share your ideas.” Thirulie is located in Sri Lanka, where Vidhura had previously helped set up the country's first mini hydroelectricity plant. Vidhura worked alongside colleagues at Columbia University in communication about environmental issues and how it relates when put in a Sri Lankan context.

Vidhura's own home is very eco-friendly and he and his family are no strangers to composting. The car in Vidhura's garage? A Toyota Prius. Outside of working for Mark and Spencer's, Vidhura is director of Co-Enerji, which focuses on sustainability and energy services.

Tom is a green blog writer and also does some computer repair NJ.