Opening statements

I've recently been obsessed with a few business ideas, and somehow they've all revolved around the environment. I do what I can, but I wouldn't say environmental awareness is part of my identity.

Anyhow, the first is that while packaging is an important part of branding, it has gotten a bit ridiculous in some cases. For example, when you buy Venus razor replacements, you get the cardboard box, then inside you have a plastic bag. In that plastic bag are two plastic containers that have covers you peel back. At this point, you just stick your razor handle in the plastic container and attach the razor to the handle. Kind of neat how easy/safe it is, but HONESTLY its way too much packaging. The same goes for restaurants like Raising Cain's, where they give you your meal on styrofoam. The point is that the restaurant doesn't have to clean up after you, but why not put it on recyclable materials? Or at least materials that don't suck the lifeblood out of the environment. The list goes on--these days, do we really need all the packaging that goes into CD's and DVD's? The plastic wrap, the sticker, etc. It seems small, but what if we just got the CD art and were emailed the tracks, which we could put on a blank CD if we so desired? I'm sure you all know of examples of useless packaging. So what if there was a packaging equivalent of LEED certification? Say there was a non-profit that ranked design firms on their commitment to environmental materials in their packaging designs. The non-profit could approach brands that currently use "inappropriate" levels packaging. They state their case, then say that the follow 20 design firms are in the geographical area or area of expertise that are available to redesign their packaging. The brands would be able to promote themselves as being "Silver" certified or something similar (but dear god, please not "green" certified...) and the design firms would be more marketable to more environmentally conscious brands.

Secondly, I had an interesting thought regarding two problems in the world: obesity, and "the energy crisis." I had an idea for gyms where members pledge to work out a certain amount each month. Their working out directly helps generate energy (think hamster-in-a-wheel style) which is used to power a store next door. Imagine if Target aligned themselves with these gyms, and the power generated by the members completely supplied Target with the necessary energy. If they don't work out their pledged amount, they then pay a fee, which helps pay the electricity bill. I know its probably unlikely to support such a large power consumer, but it could help alleviate costs and increase the incentive to work out, and Target would benefit from the effort. I credit my dad with coining the phrase "fueled by fat." I love it.

Thoughts?