According to Cointelegraph, the latest episode of the Hashing It Out podcast featured a discussion on how Web3 technology is being utilized to promote healthier lifestyles and sustainable actions. Host Elisha Owusu Akyaw was joined by Jake Campton, communications lead at VeChain, and Reffo Tse, co-founder and CEO of Puffpaw, to explore the potential of blockchain in these areas.

Campton discussed VeChain's shift from supply chain management to sustainability, highlighting the VeBetterDAO ecosystem. This platform tokenizes sustainable actions such as recycling, using public transportation, or driving electric vehicles. The aim is to eliminate the “sustainability tax,” where eco-friendly choices often come with a financial cost. Instead, VeChain incentivizes sustainable actions by rewarding users with tokens, making eco-friendly choices both accessible and economically beneficial.

Tse introduced Puffpaw’s “vape-to-earn” model, which offers token-based rewards for reducing nicotine intake. This model uses connected devices to monitor vaping habits and provides financial incentives to encourage users to lower their nicotine dosage. Tse emphasized that the integration of hardware and blockchain in Puffpaw’s approach demonstrates the potential of Web3 to address real-world issues like addiction in a data-driven and user-friendly manner.

The episode also explored the broader potential of Web3 technology beyond these specific projects. Both guests agreed that incentivization could be a cornerstone for future blockchain applications in areas such as health, education, and environmental sustainability. They also discussed the challenges of building Web3 products with incentive structures and balancing marketing incentives with the goals of these platforms.