Like a lot of people, we at Full Time Hobby are terrified about the impending catastrophes caused by the Climate & Ecological Emergency. We’re just music fans releasing albums by bands we love, though - what can we do about it?
It is clear that widespread change must come from our governments and the fossil fuel companies, but we don’t want to sit on our hands and wait for that to happen. We are trying to change how we operate bit by bit. The music industry is no different from any other industry in that it is going to have to change a lot.
This is not a marketing campaign, by the way. But, we hope that by making our thoughts and our actions public, other labels, artists or music fans will be encouraged to make changes too. We also appreciate any feedback about how we can do this better, or ideas we’ve missed!
Actions For Sustainability
Regular donation to Tree Musketeers in Hackney (where we’re based) and help them once a week during spring / summer with watering new trees and planting in autumn / winter. We are very wary of offset schemes and see it as a last option after all other paths to emissions reduction are exhausted.
Energy use in office – we lobbied our landlord to change to a renewable energy supplier, which they have now done, meaning the block of over 100 businesses are now supplied with 100% renewable energy.
Banking - We switched our bank accounts to TRIODOS, and made our previous bank aware that we were switching because they invest in fossil fuel projects and heavily support the fossil fuel infrastructure.
CD packaging – we transitioned all our CD releases to card packaging in 2009 with the release of the Julie’s Bicycle report highlighting the difference in emissions and recyclability of both
LPs – we’ve manufactured some of our LPs out of the recycled offcuts from the factory process, and changed all our LPs from heavy vinyl to 140g with no loss in sound reproduction. We're using longer life plastic house bags rather than single use shrinkwrap while we work out better ways of reducing extraneous plastic use.
Merchandise – all our merch is now organic cotton as standard via TeeMill. All their factories run on renewable energy and circular processes to reuse old t-shirts. Some of our artists have also requested No Sweat T’s.
Packaging materials for mail order – all LP packaging is now 100% recycled, CD packaging is plastic-free and tape used is kraft paper rather than plastic.
Lobbying suppliers – regular conversations with our suppliers to discuss improvements to manufacturing and transport
Travel - we strive to book national tours and promo trips by train. We run the Cycle to Work scheme and all travel to the office by foot, bike or public transport. Where we are responsible for touring, we aim to reduce the need to fly as much as possible. We haven’t flown to the US on business since 2012 and try to cover most European business travel via Eurostar where possible.
Socials – we use our social platforms to raise awareness of the Climate Crisis and related issues
