Sustainability is a term that was not associated with the music industry. If anything, this industry was turning itself into the poster child for high carbon footprint and environmental degradation.
Advocates of sustainability have been talking about greening the music industry for decades. Only recently have solid effective measures been put in place. This is not to imply that the industry no longer generates any waste.
However, if it keeps its current pace of eco-consciousness, we may find fewer concerns surrounding climate change. In this article, we will dive into four main initiatives that hold immense promise for the music industry’s sustainable future.
Elimination of Plastic Waste
Musical festivals and live events are notorious for generating plastic waste. A 2024 report found that an average of 4 billion single-use cups from these events end up in North America’s landfills every year.
As alarming as it is, it doesn’t have to be this way and is not in every case. Gradually, many music event organizers are adopting initiatives to eliminate plastic waste. These include provisions for biodegradable cups and reusable food packaging.
One example is the BYOBottle campaign supported by events like the Joshua Tree Music Festival. It advocated for reusable bottles and the installation of refill stations across the venue.
It seems like a culture of shared responsibility is slowly rising among music festival goers. Even artists are embracing the boundaries of sustainability actively. Many are choosing to tour by land and undertake tree plantation for every concert ticket that sells.
Besides that, proper waste disposal practices are being given precedence. They form an important part of the ‘zero waste’ goal. This means separate receptacles are placed at concerts to segregate the recyclable waste.
Replacement of Teflon-Coated Guitar Strings
This change towards sustainability is not only recent but also one that faced much controversy. It was not until 2020 that folks in the music industry started expressing their concerns over guitar strings.
It’s difficult to wrap one’s mind around the fact that something so seemingly insignificant can be an environmental problem. However, a guitar’s strings are its soul, shaping the instrument’s voice and overall character.
It was found that modern guitar strings were coated with a group of water and grease-resistant chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The reason cited was that these chemicals could enhance the playing sound and experience.
Utility was also the excuse given to use PFAS in the manufacture of Class B firefighting foam or Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). Sadly, it backfired as firefighters began filing lawsuits against PFAS manufacturers due to injuries like cancer. The latest AFFF lawsuit update states that the litigation’s scope has expanded from kidney and testicular cancers to those affecting the thyroid and liver.
PFAS also led to municipal water contamination. TruLaw shares that these chemicals first seep into the soil and eventually reach the water table, affecting drinking water. Given their hazards, are they worth a marginal improvement in the guitar-playing experience?
Though some musicians are presenting tone-deaf arguments supporting PFAS use, many are stepping back. They are advocating for non-toxic alternatives that align with the worldwide PFAS ban.
Will we resume traditional materials like steel or nickel? Perhaps, until an equally effective but safer alternative is discovered.
Concerts Powered by Renewable Energy
Music event organizers are fighting tooth and nail to harmonize their events with the environment. This means they cannot bypass the need to adopt sustainable energy sources.
Did you know that live music events generated a shocking 400,000 tons of carbon emissions in 2023 alone? This is in no way sustainable, and organizers are recognizing that.
They are powering their concerts with the help of renewable energy sources, mainly the following:
- Solar energy in the form of solar panels
- Wind energy generated by small portable wind turbines
- Kinetic energy using dance floor tiles that convert the energy of dancing into electricity
Energy-efficient LED lighting systems are also being used. Artists are helping reduce their carbon footprint by avoiding private jets. Many are cheerfully saying yes to sustainable tours and concerts: the ‘do-re-mi’ for the environment’s well-being.
One artist who has received much criticism for her private jet use is Taylor Swift. In stark contrast to an entire genre of memes dedicated to her insensitivity are bands like Massive Attack. The latter’s all-day music festival, called Act 1.5, was believed to be the lowest-carbon concert of its size.
Green Merch and Packaging
A key aspect of promoting sustainability in the music industry is to let fans join in. This is exactly where the importance of green merch and packaging enters.
Fans now have a way of supporting their favorite artists without causing environmental harm. The truth is many would appreciate it since the general US population is gradually gravitating towards sustainability.
To put things into perspective, nearly two-thirds of US adults are concerned about climate change. 61% consider it to be a matter that worries them a ‘great deal.’ With such public support, artists are only set to receive more love from their fans with green merch and merchandise.
Non-toxic and recyclable materials are being used to manufacture t-shirts and other merchandise. This includes the dyes used to color the goods. Harmful chemical processes are being eliminated during production as much as possible.
Another aspect of green merchandising is reducing waste, right from the design stage up until production. Examples include the use of organic fabrics and collaboration with eco-conscious vendors, among others.
The beats of sustainability are expected to echo within the music industry for years to come. These small yet decisive steps usher in a new era, which goes beyond being musical.
Artists and organizers that implement concrete carbon-neutral initiatives will encourage fans to be equally responsible. Perhaps then we would stop hearing how the live music industry is a carbon sinner; it will become a powerful catalyst for change instead.
