Introduction

In today’s interview, we’re talking with Yuichi, a key member and advisor of the Hem Japan community and a dedicated advocate for environmental cleanups and using multiple impact reporting platforms to demonstrate achievements. Yuichi has not only been actively participating in DeCleanup but has also brought several members from his community on board, helping to expand the network and increase our impact. He also has achieved a status of early adopter and entered our guild.

We’ll be discussing how Yuichi first got involved in environmental cleanups, what drew him to the world of web3 and DeCleanup, and how he sees tokenizing real-world impact as a way to drive more meaningful change. Yuichi’s story gives us insight into the power of IRL involvement combined with digital innovation to tackle environmental challenges.

DeCleanup Network:

Welcome to Real World Impact Journey series, Yuichi! We’re excited to speak with you today and welcome you as a first star of our story. Could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit more of how your journey into web3 started?

Yuichi:

Thank you for having me! My journey began with Vyvo, a health-focused platform. Vyvo had a system that rewarded healthy behaviors, such as exercise and proper sleep. Initially, Vyvo itself wasn’t directly involved in environmental protection, but through this platform, I was introduced to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. I learned the basics of cryptocurrency, such as wallet security and how to avoid scams, but I also began gathering information externally to deepen my understanding.

My interest in environmental protection sparked when I learned about Cleanify, a dApp focused on environmental issues, through the partnership between VeChain and Vyvo. This led to environmental protection becoming a significant theme for me, and I decided to engage in promoting cryptocurrencies for good beyond the activities of Vyvo. My perspective shifted toward expanding environmental protection activities using various blockchain technologies, regardless of specific chains.

DeCleanup Network:

It’s interesting how your journey started with health and evolved toward environmental impact. What specifically motivated you to take action and get involved in cleanups?

Yuichi:

A major turning point for me was my encounter with HEM Japan. HEM Japan was originally a group based on Vyvo, focusing on “Health Eco Mining,” which combines health activities with environmental protection. Engaging with their activities heightened my interest in environmental protection, and the enjoyable experience of working in the community had significant meaning for me. This experience generated a strong desire to further expand my environmental protection activities.

DeCleanup Network:

You’ve certainly come a long way! How did your experience with cryptocurrency shape your involvement in projects like DeCleanup? Did you find it an overall satisfying experience to use different platforms and understand different tools and chains to get things done?

Yuichi:

As I deepened my understanding of cryptocurrency, I had opportunities to get involved with various blockchain networks and applications. I came across Cleanify through the partnership between VeChain and Vyvo, and I realized that multiple “X to earn” apps could coexist. This led to the concept of “X² to earn”, where you can simultaneously use multiple dApps to earn multiple rewards from a single action. I proposed this idea to the members of HEM Japan, and they immediately agreed. I then started teaching them how to use Cleanify. Since I had experience with various blockchain applications, I was able to remove the tech barrier and explain the basics. As a result, I was able to quickly explain the Cleanify platform to over 100 members of HEM Japan, allowing many participants to experience X² to earn.

During this process, I learned about DeCleanup and became interested in it. Although DeCleanup operates on a different chain, Arbitrum, I was drawn to its simplicity and user-friendly design. I aim to expand my activities by leveraging the unique features of each chain.

DeCleanup Network:

You’ve been instrumental in bringing members from the HEM Japan community and we already have 12 new wallets from Japan including yourself. How did you manage to introduce the platform to them?

Yuichi:

It took about five months for the members to fully become familiar with using Cleanify. As for DeCleanup, it has only been about one month since its introduction, but my goal is to expand its reach by the end of this year. DeCleanup is very easy to join, making it an ideal next platform for HEM Japan. While experiencing DeCleanup, I realized the potential for “X³ to earn”. DeCleanup employs the most simplified system I’ve encountered in dApps, making it easier for people to participate in environmental protection activities.

DeCleanup Network:

Looking ahead, how do you see the intersection of environmental cleanups and web3 technology developing? What’s your vision for the future of platforms like DeCleanup?

Yuichi:

I firmly believe it will grow! Web3 technology and environmental protection activities will evolve closely together. DeCleanup and Cleanify have already advanced each other’s platforms through close collaboration. Cleanify has made significant progress by simplifying user interactions and gamifying cleanup activities. DeCleanup has introduced dynamic assets and leaderboard on guild.xyz platform, enabling feeling of competition. In Web3, developers and users collaborate to build systems, and in the realm of environmental protection, developers are also working together to strengthen their initiatives, which are continually evolving. I believe that this collaboration will promote the development of Web3 technologies across other industries. And I have been already practicing “X⁵ to earn” and included Green Commuter and MeGo to report my impact.

DeCleanup Network:

Lastly, what advice would you give to someone new to environmental activism or web3 who’s considering joining DeCleanup?

Yuichi:

I encourage you to dive in! Find a community where you can enjoy contributing to society. At DeCleanup, even picking up a single plastic bottle in your daily life can transform into a fun activity. By taking a snapshot of your action, you can turn that into a reward! Start by taking action, snapping a photo, and receiving rewards. Then, learn about Web3 technology to activate those rewards. I believe this is the most efficient approach, as DeCleanup’s rewards have a high affinity with Cleanify’s rewards, providing an excellent opportunity to learn about cross-swaps. Let’s discover together where these technologies will bring us, but it would be somewhere exciting.

DeCleanup Network:

Thank you so much for sharing your journey and insights with us today! Your contributions to DeCleanup and the wider community are truly inspiring. We’re excited to see how you continue to make an impact.