New Responsible Merch Guide supports more sustainable music merchandise
Julie’s Bicycle has collaborated with Green Music Australia, REVERB and The CSO Shop on the launch of a new Responsible Merch Guide, helping the music industry reduce the environmental and social impacts of merchandise and physical music production.
The free guide is designed for artists, managers, labels, merch teams and suppliers seeking to make more informed environmental and ethical decisions across the full merchandise lifecycle. It is launched alongside a global supplier directory featuring businesses offering responsible and ethical merchandise and physical music solutions.
Developed through international collaboration, the guide provides practical frameworks and tools across key areas of production, including:
- Pros and cons of common apparel materials
- Certification breakdowns and what they actually verify
- Fair labor manufacturing considerations
- Lower-impact options for dyeing and printing
- Overproduction and forecasting strategies
- Sustainable vinyl and CD materials and packaging
- Shipping and logistics efficiencies
- Responsible communication and greenwashing risk
The website also includes “quick guide” resources which summarise the findings into two-page documents that live alongside the main guide as references.
Merchandise and physical music are a central part of the fan experience – from the first band shirt bought at a show to the record sitting proudly on a shelf. These items often carry lasting memories and become part of everyday life for music fans.
For artists, merch is also an important income stream both on and off tour, helping support sustainable careers in music. Physical products also underpin a much wider network across the industry, including labels, managers, merch teams, manufacturers, distributors, online stores and independent record shops.
The guide will continue to be updated as new materials, technologies and supply chain solutions emerge.
Tenaya King, Climate Change & Sustainability Specialist, Julie’s Bicycle
When artists make merchandise choices, the impact is amplified by thousands of fans buying into those choices. We’re thrilled to support this international collaboration providing artists and labels with straightforward, comprehensive advice for producing more sustainable merch.
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