Green Music Australia has announced the expansion of the Sustainable Music & Merch Alliance, a music industry initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of music products. The alliance brings together leading labels, distributors, manufacturers, and retailers from Australia and New Zealand, with a focus on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and practical action.

To celebrate the announcement, Green Music has released an updated Green Guide on Physical Music Products. The free resource helps artists and labels make informed, sustainable choices and communicate them clearly to music fans. Key recommendations include:

• Press vinyl locally and ship by sea as air freight can increase a record’s carbon footprint by up to 300 percent.
• Use softpak CD cases instead of plastic jewel cases, which can reduce the emissions impact of the CD packaging by up to 95 percent.
• Avoid shrink wrapping and use lower-impact options such as paper obi strips if wrapping is necessary.

Click here to download the Green Guide on Physical Music Products

Webinar: A Green Guide To Physical Music

Green Music Australia will host a webinar on Thursday 9th October at 2pm AEDT,  to explore the environmental impact of physical music products and the solutions that are shaping a more sustainable future. 

This free webinar is open to anyone working with or interested in music products. Register here to be part of the conversation!

Since its launch in 2024, the program has achieved several milestones:

• Increase in record labels committing to domestic vinyl pressing
• Establishment of vinyl deadstock recycling options
• Bulk purchase of 100% recycled protective sleeves
• Improved understanding across workers and artists on how to reduce the waste and emissions impact of CDs and vinyl
• Advocacy to reduce fossil fuel PVC has led to the development of locally produced PVC that replaces some virgin fossil fuels with biogenic materials, like vegetable and cooking oils.
• The alliance also contributed key recommendations to Music Australia’s Record Label Development Scheme. 

Berish Bilander, CEO of Green Music Australia, says, “Vinyl and merchandise are vital for musicians and fans alike, but they often come with hidden environmental impacts. The Sustainable Music & Merch Alliance exists to uncover and share practical solutions that help artists and businesses make sustainable choices without compromising creativity, ethics, or connection with fans. This is about giving the industry the tools and collective power to make sustainable options the norm, not the niche.”

Want to join the Alliance? Expressions of interest are now open for Australian and New Zealand record labels, merchandise companies, manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.

The Sustainable Music & Merch Alliance has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia, and with support from City of Sydney through their Innovation and Ideas Grant, and the NSW Government through Sound NSW.

For interview requests and further information
Georgia Cooke // Engagement & Partnerships Manager
[email protected] // 0430 211 233