I recently StumbledUpon this site from The Fun Theory (an initiative backed by Volkswagen in Sweden) which is dedicated to the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better. Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the only thing that matters is that it’s change for the better. A simple principle which could have some major benefits…

“We believe that the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better is by making it fun to do. We call it The fun theory. http://www.thefuntheory.com”

The Fun Theory Award asked the public to submit their own entries for a chance to win 2,500 Euros. The contest is now closed but you can see the entries here: http://www.thefuntheory.com/award-entries

Here are some of my favourite ideas from The Fun Theory team:

Bottle Bank Arcade Machine:

Many of us return our plastic bottles and cans. Noticeably fewer recycle their glass. Maybe that’s because we don’t get any money in return, as we do for cans and plastic. Can we change this attitude by making recycling glass fun to do? So you are not just rewarded with a good conscience, you also get a smile. See the results here

Piano Staircase:

“Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator and feel better” is something we often tell ourselves during our commute to work. Few people actually follow that advice (myself included). Can we get more people to take the stairs over the escalator by making it fun to do? See the results here

The World’s Deepest Bin:

To throw rubbish in the bin instead of onto the floor shouldn’t really be so hard. Many people still fail to do so. The Fun Theory team get more people to throw rubbish into the bin, rather than onto the ground, by making it fun to do. See the results here

Finally… Here’s one for my girlfriend:

[click here if you cannot view the embedded clip above]