Greener Shows, Greater Impact: Sustainability in the Live Music Industry

The music swells, lights pulse, and crowds roar, but once the show ends, what’s left behind isn’t just memories. It’s plastic waste, emissions, and a footprint that’s hard to ignore.

Across the country, venue managers and promoters are facing growing pressure to reduce the environmental impact of live events. The spotlight is shifting, and sustainability is quickly becoming a top priority for fans, artists, and operators alike.

“As a company, sustainability is built into every product we deliver,” says Nick Criscuolo, Vice President of Venues and Arenas at SONCO. “We prioritize reusable, recyclable, and low-maintenance solutions that support greener operations without compromising safety or performance.”

What’s the Problem with Live Events?

The environmental cost of live music is bigger than most people realize. From temporary stage setups to thousands of single-use items sold at concessions, the average concert or festival generates massive waste in just a few hours.

The Hidden Cost of One-Time Setups

Behind the scenes, fast-paced setups often rely on non-recyclable materials. When materials break during load-in or tear down, they’re usually thrown out and replaced. It’s a cycle that repeats from one city to the next, multiplying waste and emissions.

Plastic Waste Is Still Everywhere

Even with growing awareness, plastic is still everywhere—from drink cups and food trays to water bottles and utensils. At large-scale events like Coachella, that adds up fast. In just three days, the festival produced over 600 tons of waste, with estimates suggesting only 20% of it was properly recycled. 

Why Sustainability Now Means Business

This growing impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. Today’s fans—especially Millennials and Gen Z—expect more from the places they support. They want the full experience, but they also want that experience to reflect their values.

For venues, that expectation isn’t just a moral responsibility. It’s a business opportunity. Sustainable operations are becoming a key differentiator in a crowded entertainment landscape. The right choices not only reduce your footprint—they can also drive attendance, loyalty, and positive brand perception.

How Industry Leaders Are Raising the Bar

Some of the biggest names in live entertainment are already acting on this shift. Live Nation Entertainment, for example, has launched a global sustainability coalition called Green Nation, setting ambitious goals to reshape how concerts impact the environment.

Their action plan includes:

• Cutting greenhouse gas emissions from events by 50% by 2030.
• Reducing or eliminating fossil fuel use at offices, venues, and shows.
• Phasing out single-use plastics wherever possible.
• Sending less waste to landfills.
• Partnering with vendors who share these sustainability commitments.

It’s a roadmap that’s quickly becoming the new standard—and it sets clear expectations for suppliers and venues alike.

Sustainability That Starts with the Setup

At SONCO, we believe greener events begin long before the first ticket is scanned. Our products are designed to make sustainability practical for every venue—from transportation and setup to long-term use.

We work with leading partners like Live Nation, ASM Global, and Oak View Group, helping them adopt equipment that’s not only durable but built for reuse. When your infrastructure holds up event after event, you save time, reduce waste, and cut unnecessary costs. And when assets come to the end of their useful life, responsible companies expect them to be recyclable.

Why Aluminum Barricades Make a Difference

Take our aluminum concert barricades. Compared to steel, aluminum is much lighter, making transportation easier and reducing fossil fuel consumption during shipping. Aluminum is also highly recyclable, which helps minimize waste at the end of its lifecycle. Compared to steel, aluminum is: 

For venues serious about sustainability, switching to aluminum isn’t just a small step—it’s a smart move with long-term payoffs.

Improve Your Venue's Sustainability With SONCO

Shifting to greener operations can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you’re upgrading your equipment or rethinking your vendor partnerships, SONCO can help you take the next step with confidence.

We offer durable, reusable and recyclable products built to meet the demands of today’s live events—without leaving a trail of waste behind. And when your gear works harder and lasts longer, sustainability becomes a win for everyone.

Ready to take action? Talk to our team or check out our Concert Barricades and our full family of products today.

If there are any products you think we should be carrying that make your procurement job more convenient and help you achieve your sustainability goals, please let us know.