New edition provides practical guidance for venues navigating sustainability, new regulations and emerging industry practices.
Green Music Australia has launched the 2026 edition of its Green Venue Guide, an updated resource supporting live music, arts and cultural venues, clubs, pubs and bars to reduce their environmental impact while creating healthier, more inclusive spaces for audiences, artists and staff.
Updated to reflect evolving industry practices, regulations and innovations, the 2026 guide provides practical advice, resources and real-world case studies to support venues at every stage of their sustainability journey.
The guide covers key areas including energy use, waste reduction, sustainable procurement, touring, transport, merchandise and packaging, with the 2026 edition expanding its guidance on sustainable paper sourcing and other emerging sustainability practices.
To support venues in implementing this latest guidance, Green Music Australia will also deliver a series of Green Venue workshops across NSW, focused on food waste best management best practice while meeting the NSW EPA's FOGO business mandates requirements.
The latest edition also features additional case studies from across the sector, including recently certified venues RAC Arena and ICC Sydney, which are among the highest-rated certified venues in the Green Music Australia program.
New case studies include:
- ICC Sydney – Food waste reduction strategies and upcycling fabric
- Knox Street Bar – Coolseats food waste partnership
- RAC Arena – Stackable reusable cups suitable for large crowds
“Venues are already taking meaningful steps to reduce their environmental impact, and this updated guide is designed to make that action easier. We want to give venue teams practical tools they can use now, while helping them prepare for the changes ahead.” – Emma Bosworth, National Programs Manager, Green Music Australia
The Green Venue Guide is part of Green Music Australia's ongoing commitment to helping Australia's music, arts and cultural sectors reduce their environmental footprint through practical resources, education and industry collaboration.
The 2026 Green Venue Guide is available now.
Upcoming Green Venue Workshops
Registrations are open for Green Music Australia's tailored two-part education program for live music, arts and cultural venues across NSW. The program is designed to help venue teams strengthen sustainability practices across waste management, energy use and supply chains.
NSW Venues that serve food are strongly encouraged to participate, and be informed on NSW’s EPA Food Business Mandates Requirements for food businesses from 1 July 2026.
Introductory Online Workshop
Date & Time: 1pm-2:30pm AEDT, Wednesday, 4 November
Location: Online
In-Depth Green Venue Workshop
Date & Time: 10am-3pm, Tuesday, 17 November
Location: Bondi Pavilion, Theatre Space, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Register for the free workshops here.
Venue managers, promoters, festival organisers and hospitality professionals are encouraged to attend to learn practical strategies for meeting new requirements, reducing waste and improving sustainability outcomes.
This 2026 version of the Green Venue Guide is proudly funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, under the NSW Government’s Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy, and is funded from the waste levy.
Green Venue Guide would not have been possible without the support of the City of Sydney and the NSW Government through Sound NSW. We also thank BIGSOUND for supporting the original concept.
Thank you to our core funding supporters, including the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, Creative Climate, Universal Music Australia, and APRA AMCOS.
For interview requests and further information:
Please contact Julianna Toth // Partnerships and Communications Manager
[email protected] // 0423 512 527
