SUSTAINABILITY IN LIVE MUSIC
In 2019 Blow Up Your TV Festival committed to providing a more environmentally friendly experience as well as bringing awareness to the very real issue of electronic recycling. We pledged 20% of all profits to environmental groups, and in May 2020 we were able to donate $600 to Asheville Greenworks despite the cancellation of the original festival due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While we no longer have the means to donate large sums of money to these organizations, any profit from BUYTV merch sales will go to an environmental group or a non-profit of your choice upon request. Climate change will always be an everybody issue. The effects of climate change are already surrounding us from entire regions engulfed in flames to states experiencing record breaking flooding year after year. Any small change is better than no change at all.
We are always accepting suggestions for non-profits, community programs, environmental organizations, mutual aid funds, etc. to add to the donation list.
If you want to submit a non-profit or mutual aid fund to be added to our donation list please email it to info@blowupyourtvevents.com
What is E-waste?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines it like this: ‘“E-waste”, “electronic waste”, “e-scrap” and “end-of-life electronics” are terms often used to describe used electronics that are nearing the end of their useful life, and are discarded, donated or given to a recycler. Though “e-waste” is the commonly used term, EPA considers e-waste to be a subset of used electronics and recognizes the inherent value of these materials that can be reused, refurbished or recycled to minimize the actual waste that might end up in a landfill or improperly disposed in an unprotected dump site either in the US or abroad. (US EPA, “Cleaning Up Electronic Waste”)’
Let’s get some stats.
20 to 50 million metric tons of e-waste are disposed worldwide every year.
It takes 530 lbs of fossil fuels, 48 lbs of chemicals, and 1.5 tons of water to manufacture one computer and monitor.
Cell phones and other electronic items contain high amounts of precious metals like gold or silver. Americans dump phones containing over $60 million in gold/silver every year.
Aside from these facts, the improper disposal of electronics can harm human health, well being of the environment, and prosperity of the economy. And the United States just might be the worst to address the issue. Producing over 30% of the world’s E-waste, we have become the most destructive country in relation to electronics.
United Nations. "Waste Management." Web Accessed November 27, 2019
What can we do?
While the majority of the changes that need to happen rest in the hands of 100 corporations, we still have an obligation to the Earth as her inhabitants. Educating yourself about the effects of your habits and waste is the first step in a collective effort to change. Instead of tossing that broken iPod from middle in the trash, find an e-recycling facility in your area! Offer to snag those old box TVs that one guy on Facebook Marketplace has been asking someone to pick up from their yard and take them to be recycled too! If nothing else, help spread the word. Every bit helps, whether it’s donating to a local organization, volunteering to help with trash pick up, or helping out a neighbor who needs a hand! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that your small contributions aren’t helping. The smallest changes will always have a greater impact than choosing to ignore the problem.