Billie Eilish's Tour Goes Green – And it's Happier Than Ever
Billie Eilish has long advocated for environmental sustainability; her latest tour is no exception. Having previously received EMA's Missions in Music Award, she continues to lead by example, proving that large-scale tours can be greener and more responsible. With a massive, dedicated following, Eilish has the unique ability to influence her fan's stewardship. Partnering with Live Nation, Google Maps, and REVERB, her team has taken meaningful action to reduce the environmental footprint of her tour. As she gears up for the Australian and European legs of the tour, let's reflect on the initiatives already in place and what's coming next.
Billie Eilish launched her tour in Québec City at Centre Vidéotron in September 2024, setting the stage for a run that prioritizes eco-conscious decisions at every stop. Many of these sustainability measures are already active during her North American leg, with plans to expand globally as the tour progresses. One of the biggest challenges with sustainability on tour is consistency—each location has different regulations, infrastructure, and corporate partnerships. Despite this, Eilish and her team have ensured that several core initiatives remain in place worldwide.
Fan Travel
Since over 70% of a concert's carbon footprint comes from fan travel, Billie Eilish has worked with Google Maps to make greener transportation easier for attendees. Concertgoers can find real-time public transit, walking directions, and fuel-efficient driving routes on Google Maps when heading to the venue. In addition, when checking the tour dates, each location and date shows a multitude of ways to get to the concert venue, often highlighting public transport, as seen at the Amsterdam and Vienna tour stops.
Sustainable Venues
Billie Eilish's team ensures that sustainability remains a priority within each tour venue. Scannable QR codes were available throughout the venue for some locations, sharing insights into the tour's impact. This has occurred at North American tour stops such as the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Here are a few measures being taken in every venue at every stop:
Plant-Based Food Options - Venues must offer plant-based options in concessions and catering.
Reducing Single-Use Plastics - Venues are asked to limit or eliminate single-use plastics, e.g., No plastic bottles and straws available only on request (preferably paper)
Eco-Action Village - A dedicated space at each venue allows fans to connect with local environmental organizations and learn more about the tour's sustainability efforts.
Beyond venue-specific measures, Billie Eilish's team is tackling waste and sustainability behind the scenes. In collaboration with REVERB, all excess catering food is collected, packaged, and donated to local communities in need. At the Los Angeles stop, fans were introduced to initiatives like Support+Feed, founded by Maggie Baird, which encourages people to pledge to eat one plant-based meal daily for 30 days. Other programs include Project Ropa, providing clothing and hygiene essentials to those in need, and a sleeping bag and gear donation program, ensuring that left-behind camping gear goes to local homeless support organizations. Recycling is also actively encouraged backstage, in offices, and on tour buses, with used batteries collected for recycling or donation—ensuring any remaining power benefits those in need.
Merchandise
Merchandise is another primary focus of the tour's sustainability efforts. All clothing is made from 100% recycled or organic materials, such as recycled cotton and polyester, while posters use 100% recycled paper. Even vinyl records are produced with recyclable or recycled compounds, and their packaging is made from FSC® certified recycled paper/boards—sourced entirely from post-consumer waste and recycled pre-consumer fibers. To take things further, all inks and varnishes used in merch packaging are plant-based and water-based, ensuring a lower environmental impact. You can read more about these efforts here.
Billie Sets the Bar High
Sustainability in live music is still a work in progress, but Billie Eilish's efforts prove that large-scale tours can minimize their environmental impact. By taking a holistic approach to sustainability on tour, she sets a new standard for what a tour should look like and how responsible they should be. As the tour expands into Australia and Europe, we hope other artists will take note and follow suit.
Libby Simons is a final-year sustainability student with experience in sustainability fieldwork and corporate compliance. She is passionate about the intersection of sustainability and the creative industries.