When it comes to operating in a sustainable way, no industry is immune. The music industry has come under fire a lot in the last few years for unsustainable practices involving international tours, gas-guzzling venues and festivals that generate colossal amounts of waste.
Fortunately, the industry is attempting to right some wrongs with new developments in green festivals, less ambitious tours and spreading the word of musical philanthropy that protects the environment. All these things are spelling a greener future for the music industry, with eco-friendliness at the heart of the many aspects that make the industry what it is today.
Sustainable touring
There’s no getting around this one: touring contributes significantly to the rise of global temperatures and waste. With musicians, their entourage and all their equipment travelling thousands of miles for one concert, touring has raised many eyebrows in todays’ environmentally aware world.
However, the industry is changing its ways touring companies opting for biofuels to get them from point A to point B, innovative scheduling to keep travelling down to a minimum, and prioritising eco-friendly venues. Musicians are also taking matters into their own hands by promoting sustainable practices at their concerts and spreading the word about the importance of sustainability.
Eco-Conscious Music Festivals
Another sore point in the music industry is the damage that festivals have on the environment. Not only do festivals create a lot of sound pollution that disturbs the native wildlife, but they also generate huge amounts of rubbish that inevitably pollute the local area if it’s not cleaned up thoroughly.
Festival organisers are tackling the problem head on with single-use plastic cups that, when returned, earn the festival goer a small amount of money which drives incentive to use the same cup throughout the festival. Other festivals have also turned to renewable energy to keep their festivals going.
Some festivals are going even further with one band in Bolivia going viral for playing musical instruments made completely out of recycled materials. Such instruments, although made out of recycled materials, are still highly valuable and need adequate instrument protection such as violin insurance.
Musical philanthropy
Many musicians are using their standing in the industry to create positive change when it comes to environmental protection. Whilst some ban single-use plastic at their concerts and recyclable decoration, others go beyond personal profit to stage charity concerts that support environmental initiatives and donate all the profits to them.
More than ever, the music industry is tackling its problematic reputation when it comes to unsustainable practices, meaning that other industries can follow their lead and make meaningful change.
