Guster's Adam Gardner: 20 Years of REVERB Climate Action

Guster’s Adam Gardner Celebrates 20 Years of Greening Global Tours

The guitarist’s non-profit, REVERB, has helped stars like Billie Eilish and Harry Styles eliminate millions of plastic bottles and reduce carbon footprints since 2004.

Marcus J. Delany

Mar 26, 2026, 1:24 PM PT · 2 min read

Adam Gardner — Photo: Constantino14 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

Adam Gardner founded the non-profit REVERB in 2004 with wife Lauren Sullivan.
REVERB has eliminated over 4 million single-use plastic bottles at concert venues.
The organization partners with major stars including Billie Eilish and Harry Styles.
Initiatives include using biodiesel for tour buses and funding global carbon-reduction projects.
Gardner's Music Climate Revolution campaign aims for a carbon-neutral music industry.

Adam Gardner, the co-founder and guitarist of the indie-rock band Guster, is marking a major milestone in his dual career as a musician and environmentalist. Since founding the non-profit REVERB in 2004 with his wife, Lauren Sullivan, Gardner has transitioned from noticing the "eco-guilt" of touring to leading a global movement. The organization works directly with artists to eliminate single-use plastics and implement sustainable practices both backstage and in the front-of-house.

The impact of Gardner's work is significant within the live music industry. REVERB has partnered with massive acts including Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, and Dave Matthews Band to neutralize the environmental costs of global tours. According to data from the organization, their efforts have resulted in the elimination of over 4 million single-use plastic water bottles at shows. They also utilize biodiesel in tour buses and set up "Action Villages" to connect fans with local environmental non-profits.

Guster 2024 — Photo: BullDawg2021 / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Gardner told Forbes that his mission is to make sustainability the standard for every live performance. By focusing on measurable results, REVERB has helped divert thousands of tons of waste from landfills and raised millions of dollars for climate causes. As Guster continues to tour, Gardner remains a vocal advocate for the Music Climate Revolution, a campaign aimed at pushing the entire music industry toward a carbon-neutral future.