Recycling more than just lyrics and riffs, artists across the music-sphere are hitching up a green thumb in support of musically inclined environmentalism. With corn-fueled buses navigating the roads less traveled, solar power eclipsing over-electrified studio space and jewel cases being swapped for biodegradable Digipaks, musicians are finally starting to see the eco-friendly light.
???Ignoring digital downloads and non-physical releases, a recent trend within the music industry has been to veer away from the standard non-degradable jewel case for CD releases and swap them with environmentally friendly, recyclable paper/chipboard packages with Paperfoam trays.
???A leader in the regeneration of CD and binder packaging in a recyclable fashion, Sustainable Group has been delivering environmentally conscious alternatives since 2003. With a heart set on eliminating land-filling CD compost, Sustainable Group has made it their mission to end the excess.
???"Our goal is to lower the environmental impact of our customers, specifically carbon footprint and solid waste," said Brant Williams, chief marketing officer of Sustainable Group.
???With their FSC-certified, environmentally ideal cases and binders composed of 20pt bending chipboard and 100 percent recycled fibers, Sustainable Group and their vast array of customers have saved millions of pounds of greenhouse gases, millions of gallons of water, tens of thousands of trees, tens of billions of BTUs of energy and hundreds of tons of solid waste. Making a huge difference by itself, Sustainable Group proves that one voice can be heard by millions.
???And millions more are about to be reached thanks to a huge deal with NBC Universal.
???"Hats off to NBC Universal, who just bought a bunch of Re-Sleeves from us because every time they distribute discs for their own use, they want them to be shipped and packaged in a renewable source," Williams said.
???Fueling the sustainability is Grays Harbor Paper, a recycled paper plant operating out of Pacific Northwest.
???"We want to be the paper mill of choice for our recycled products because of our green initiative," said Gary Begg, regional sales manager of the Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah branches of Grays Harbor Paper.
???A noble cause and leader in their respective undertakings, Begg and Grays Harbor really just want everyone to take a more economically responsible approach to life and "make the choice to look for recycled in any kind of product of offering."
???Whether it's through Sustainable Group or any other eco-sponsible packing providers, the music world is headed in the right direction. Recording leaders Universal and Warner Music Group have already begun to use environmentally friendly packaging and continue to come up with inventive new ways to package CDS and help protect the environment.
???In Walmart stores alone, over 20 artists from the Universal Music Group have released albums in recycled paperboard packaging with digital downloads wrapped in seeded paper rimed for planting after use. Along with the lot that includes Sheryl Crow and The Counting Crows, Island Records act Fall Out Boy has unleashed their own take.
???With the release of their album Folie a Deux, last December, Fall Out Boy unleashed a limited edition of the CD that came with a locker-sized poster of the band and a special seeded envelope that grew flowers when planted. Though retailing at around $40, the creativity and unique chance to grow Wentz flowers is well worth the fee.
???While acts like Fall Out Boy, Cake, New Found Glory, Sheryl Crow and Neil Young do their best to promote green living and wrap their CDs in eco-friendly casings, myriads more back jewels to the core. Though a complete recycling of the music packaging industry is far from doable in the near future, we're well on our way.
???It's time to spread the word, promote change and recycle our casings.
???It's time to get green.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
