Michael Martin joins Earth Care for episode 2 of the Sustainability in the Live Music Industry series. Michael has been pioneering green initiatives in the live music industry since the 90’s. Before entering a world of sustainable innovation, he worked as an investment banker on Wall Street. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil disaster happened and influenced Michael to change gears. Since then, Michael has set out on a mission to use the power of capitalism and pop culture to create impactful and positive change in the world. He works with superstar artists to put green initiatives in motion on major stages across the globe. In fact, Billboard described Michael as the guru of live event greening. He is the CEO and Founder of Effect Partners, a company that builds climate solutions with some of the largest food, entertainment and mission-aligned organizations on the planet. He’s also the CEO and Founder of R.World, the nation’s #1 reuse platform. In this episode, Michael Martin discusses his journey and the challenges faced in implementing sustainable practices. He shares his early motivation for positive change and his work in producing environmentally focused concerts. Michael highlights the R.Cup system, a tool he created to reduce waste at live events, and the importance of implementing sustainable practices at major venues. He also discusses the need to get more artists on board with sustainability initiatives and the potential for regulation to drive reusable options. Connect with Michael Martin: hello@rworldreuse.com MORE FROM SARAH: Take the FREE #FansChooseToReuse pledge here and commit to reducing plastic bottle pollution at live music events! Get 10% off a HYDAWAY Collapsible Bottle with the discount code PODCAST here **Shipping only in Canada, promo ends July 1, 2024** Connect with Sarah on Instagram and Tiktok Learn more about Earth Care KEY TAKEAWAYS: Music can be a powerful platform for creating meaningful change and raising awareness about environmental issues. Implementing sustainable practices in the live music industry requires collaboration and a systemic approach. Tools like the R.Cup system can significantly reduce waste at live events. Getting more artists on board with sustainability initiatives is crucial for driving change in the industry. Regulation and government support can play a significant role in promoting reusable options and reducing waste.