Blue Rider

Solutions for the plastic checklist items highlighted in the Blue Rider. 

1. No Single-Use Plastic Straws 
   1. Request that the venue does not provide any plastic straws or implements a straw-upon request policy. 
   2. If you need or prefer to use a straw, request that the venue provide a BlueTOS-approved sustainable straw alternative.
2. No Single-Use Plastic Cups (including Shot Glasses)
   1. Request that the venue provide reusable cups and shot glasses if applicable. 
3. No Single-Use Plastic Beverage or Water Bottles
   1. Request that the venue provide filtered water for you to drink, or water packaged in glass or aluminium. 
   2. Bring your own reusable bottle to refill and add your voice to the BYOBottle campaign. 
   3. Request beverages served in reusable pitchers with glasses or glass or aluminum individual packaging if necessary. 
4. No Single-Use Plastic Cups 
   1. Request that the venue provide reusable cups. 
5. No Single-Use Plastic Drink Stirrers, Toothpicks or Stoppers
   1. Request that the venue does not provide any plastic stirrers, toothpicks or stoppers in the backstage area.
   2. If needed, request that the venue provide wooden stirrers or toothpicks. 
6. No Single-Use Plastic Bags
   1. For any gift bags or carry bags, request that the venue provide either reusable bags or recycled paper bags.
7. No Single-Use Plastic Coffee Cups and Lids 
   1. If you request coffee or if any is served backstage, request that the venue provide either reusable mugs or disposable coffee cups without plastic lining and paper lids.
8. No Single-Use Plastic Dishware
   1. If food is served backstage, request that the venue provide either reusable dishware or Blue-approved disposable dishware.
9. No Single-Use Plastic or Plastic-Lined Takeaway Containers
   1. If food is served in takeaway containers, request that the venue provide plastic-free Blue-approved containers.
10. No Single-Use Plastic Utensils 
    1. If food is served backstage, request that the venue provide either reusable utensils or Blue-approved disposable utensils.
11. No Individually Wrapped Condiments, Snacks, or other Items
    1. For condiments: Ask to be served from bulk containers or in reusable ramekins. 
    2. For snacks: Ask for bulk snack options, food served on reusable dishware, or items with plastic-free packaging.
12. No Plastic or Waxed (Plastic-Lined) Coasters
    1. Request that the venue does not provide any plastic or plastic-lined disposable waxed coasters in the backstage area.
    2. If needed, request that the venue provide either reusable or BlueTOS-approved unwaxed paper, cork, or fiber coasters. 
13. No Single-Use Plastic Utensils 
    1. If food is served backstage, request that the venue provide either reusable utensils or TOS-approved disposable utensils.
14. No Single-Use Plastic Plates & Bowls (Dishware)
    1. If food is served backstage, request that the venue provide either reusable dishware or TOS-approved disposable dishware.
15. No Synthetic Fiber Towels
    1. If towels are served, ask for non-synthetic cloth options such as cotton or linen. 
16. No Single-Use Plastic Ice Bags
    1. Ask for ice to be sourced from on-site ice machines in bulk or reusable coolers. 
17. No Plastic Gum
    1. Ask for no plastic gum giveaways unless there are Blue-approved plant-based gum options. 
18. No Plastic Stickers
    1. Ask for no plastic sticker giveaways unless there are Blue-approved options.

Additional Actions

ENGAGE THE VENUE: Ask the venue to take further long-term steps to eliminate single-use plastics and implement other Blue Actions throughout their Front-of-House (FOH) operations and beyond. Direct them to the Blue Guide: Music or Blue Guide: Restaurants for best practice tips or connect them to the Blue Standard team for hands-on consulting support and verification.  

SUSTAINABLE TOURING: Host a sustainable tour by engaging all venues on the tour around a common set of sustainability practices. This could be as simple as having all venues eliminate single-use plastic straws for the night of the tour gig, or have them go further! Brand this as a plastic-free or waste warrior or straw-free tour. 

RESPONSIBLE GIG & FESTIVAL LOCATIONS: Only accept gigs at responsible sites. Avoid any shows or festivals hosted in protected areas like wildlife refuges, reserves, or national parks (ex. cenotes in Tulum or beaches with protected sand dunes). Where possible avoid shows in locations off-the-grid that require diesel generators. Use your power as an artist to urge festival organizers to change to a responsible location with existing infrastructure. 

TRAVEL: For festivals or events in the music industry, most travel-related emissions come from audience travel rather than artists. Encourage the festival or show to promote responsible fan travel! See some suggestions below to share with the event organizers. Direct them to the Blue Guide: Music for more details.

• Promote carpooling.
  • Create a page or platform on your event page for guests to post and arrange car pooling. 
• Promote biking.
  • Have bike racks available on-site.
  • Provide incentives for fans arriving on bikes such as a free raffle entry. 
• Promote public transportation.
  • Emphasize public transport options in the “How to Get Here” section on the event page or website.
• Provide EV shuttle buses to get to the festival from public transportation hubs.