Billie Eilish has been a vocal advocate for sustainability in the music industry, emphasizing the importance of eco-friendly practices in her career. In a recent interview with Billboard, the Grammy winner discussed her ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and reduce waste in the music business.
For her 2022 Happier Than Ever tour, Eilish partnered with the nonprofit organization REVERB to provide plant-based meals for her team. Additionally, during her performance at Lollapalooza in 2023, she utilized zero-emissions battery systems and set up a temporary solar farm on-site, showcasing her commitment to environmental responsibility.
One issue that Eilish highlighted during the conversation was the trend of artists releasing multiple unique vinyl editions for their albums. She expressed concern over the wastefulness of this practice, noting that some artists create numerous vinyl variants solely to boost sales and revenue.
While Eilish herself has released multiple vinyl editions of her albums, she has taken steps to ensure they are produced sustainably. Her Happier Than Ever vinyls were made from 100 percent recycled black vinyl, with color variants crafted from recycled scraps and packaged in shrink wrap derived from sugarcane.
Eilish's mother, Maggie Baird, pointed out that the prevalence of multiple vinyl releases may be a systemic issue in the music industry, driven by the desire to increase sales and chart positions. She suggested implementing limits on the number of vinyl variants artists can release to address this issue.
Notable artists like Taylor Swift have also embraced the practice of offering multiple vinyl editions for their albums. Swift recently announced four variants of her upcoming album, each featuring a different cover and exclusive song, encouraging fans to collect them all.
Eilish expressed frustration with the pressure on artists to engage in this practice, likening it to a competitive game where artists feel compelled to participate to succeed in the industry. She emphasized the need for greater awareness and accountability to promote sustainable practices and reduce waste in the music business.
