Among the slew of intriguing panels at this year’s SXSW, there’s the one called Greening the Music Industry, calling attention to the fact that all businesses can make a concerted and important effort to help our impending environmental disaster. No folks, it’s not just the oil companies or the agriculture industry - it’s even those beautiful CDs that we love so much.

For instance, take a look at what’s on the agenda for Smog Veil Records, who’s founder Frank Mauceri will be on the panel:

1. new Smog Veil HQ in Chicago - green building completion:
–solar, geothermal, and wind energy sustainability;
–use of recycled materials;
–LEED certification

2. elimination of jewel case packaging in new releases:
–replace with digipaks now;
–goal is to use completely plastic-free packaging, except for shrinkwrap;
–ultimately produce gross revenues from digital distribution greater than
hard goods, thereby replacing need for high-impact packaging;

3. stepped-up recycling program:
–use of recycled materials in building and hard good packaging;
–use of recycled materials in shipping packaging;
–use of recycled materials in office setting;
–goal is to reduce non-recyclable waste by 75%
SXSW officially begins today, so have a party with all the great music, film, and every other delicious little bit of press and gossip that it churns out.