The theme of this year’s Sustainable Brands conference is “Play On” – and the inspiration for this weeks post. Of course, given the subject matter, fun falls naturally into the equation.  It should also fall into the bigger picture of a sustainable lifestyle. Being green should be fun, because let’s face it – the lofty goal of “saving the planet” can be a bit overwhelming, grim and, as Al Gore puts it, inconvenient. Often choosing green is associated with making sacrifices, for a less satisfying product, that costs more.

So let’s get more serious about being less serious when it comes to a sustainable lifestyle.  Thankfully, there are plenty of sustainable brands out there challenging the “green is hard” stigma. Here are some companies who take it to the next level of enjoyment while promoting people, planet and profit.

Their beer tastes great and they’re doing a number of things to enhance their sustainable operations, but that’s not all- New Belgium Brewery is having a blast doing it! Take for instance the Tour de Fat; these guys are even more obsessed with biking than we are!  It’s deeply ingrained in the New Belgium culture. The tour is just the beginning… check out the Bike In Cinema, and Share Your Joy Ride for a chance to win a new bike!  And hey, if you want to trade in your car (for at least a year) they will give you one sweet ride in exchange. Or join Team Wonderbike!  Their motto is “Follow Your Folly”, which we interpret as follow your human powered, better for you and your carbon footprint fun. If biking isn’t exactly your style there’s always posing naked in a river. If you ask us, this entertaining campaign may be the best way to get people to help save the Poudre River in CO.

VEEV spirits also adds value to your delicious martini by donating a tree for everyTREEtini you order! This added on top of their renewable energy use, low impact 4 column distilling, local ingredients and giving back to the community making it a pleasure in every way to imbibe. For something a little more artistically fun, check out The Cork Dorks fun uses for all those wine corks you’ve been saving.

We will bid you adieu, with this final fun idea, how about making it more fun to do the right thing, like recycle. That was the question The Fun Theory, a brain child of Volkswagen, answered with their Bottle Bank Arcade.

Clink and Cheers to that!