Bernard Fanning, Killing Heidi & more Aussie musicians put their hands up for Plastic-Free July

Not for profit organisation Green Music Australia’s latest campaign is Plastic Free July. It is working with musicians, venues and festivals to help eliminate harmful disposable plastic water bottles.

The organisation explains, “We’re aiming to sign up 31 new supporters by mid-June, so we can announce a new artist ambassador every day for the whole month of July.”

In the latest update, the list of #BYOBottle Artist Ambassadors has increased with Bernard Fanning and Killing Heidi, and Vika & Linda Bull, GL, All Our Exes Live in Texas, Sex On Toast and Mighty Duke & The Lords also putting their hands up.

They join longtime supporters including Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, Ash Grunwald, Katie Noonan, David Bridie, The Clouds, Reg Mombassa, Ben Lee, Mia Dyson, Regurgitator, Saskwatch, Brendan Gallagher and Ball Park Music.

Paul Kelly says, “I’ve had my own water bottle for years, I don’t like buying plastic over and over again.”

In an open letter to Byron Bay Bluesfest, Falls Festival, Groovin The Moo, Laneway and Splendour in the Grass, GMA is asking them to follow the lead of the Caloundra Music Festival, Illawarra Folk Festival and The Plot to become totally plastic free.

Every year millions of disposable plastic water bottles are thrown out at music events across the country. They create an ugly mess and also end up in landfill and in the seas.

Green Music Australia has offered a number of ideas on how the music industry can help:

• The green rider –musicians can tell venues and festivals that they do not want disposable bottles provided as part of their drinks rider, but they do want jugs, taps or refilling stations made available.
• Make reusable bottles as part of your merchandise, and promote them with a strong environmental message, as Ash Grunwald has done.
• Venue or festival operators can provide alternatives and promote them, and then tell contractors, caterers and sponsors that you won’t be having disposables on site.
• Music consumers who go to festivals can take their own plastic bottles which they refill time and time again.

Full details at Plastic Free JulyandGreen Music Australia.