How to green your music experience

Recently we’ve been looking at greening your music experience here at Tree Hugging Family. If you need to catch up, so far we’ve looked at how digital music is more eco-friendly then non-digital music and how to buy greener music.

Today we’re going to learn about some general ways to green your music.

Buy the smallest music system you need. For example, an iPod, used via cord, in your car, is super small. A record player with smaller speakers is semi-small. A mega stereo system in your living room (I’m talking huge speakers, multi-disc functions, etc) is not so small. Get good, but smaller speakers, and a smaller overall system if possible. Electronics can be recycled to a point but not all the parts, and they take a lot of resources and energy to manufacturer.

Support musicians who support green. I know, you’re picky about your music, but when possible give your cash to musicians who actually care about the issues you care about. It can be hard to find musicians who are green though. Keep an eye on the news for eco-bands. Check out band websites. Maybe take a peek at the following resources:

• Extreme green musicians: The Top 10
• Cake goes eco-friendly with solar energy!
• The Top 5 Buzzworthy Green Musicians of the Moment
• Green Musicians and Green(er) Music Festivals

That last resource above brings up a good point – choose music concerts and festivals that at least try to be green. I.e. biodegradable disposables (at major events), solar power, events that give to green organizations, and so on.

Choose music that’s packaged responsibly. You can package music in recycled content. If you happen to be in a band, and want to package your own music green, check out this green music guide.

Hook up with Rock the Earth, a non-profit, “Dedicated to bringing about positive and beneficial environmental consequences on behalf of members of the music industry through the means of active litigation and negotiation.” Their site is a great eco-music resource, and many bands and artists are aligned with them.

Charge your music with solar power – even on the go!

When actually listening to or charging your music equipment, sure plug it in. BUT when you’re done, unplug your gear. Each second an item is plugged in, it’s using electricity resources and costing you money.

Can you think of any other ways to green your music?

[image via stock.xchng]