Recoup17 October 2007
Recoup's debut single is the flavour of the month in more ways than one. The CD comes in an inside-out crisp packet and a piece of recycled cardboard.
Lead singer Pieter Theron tells us about the song 'Remind You' and the impact of our throw-away society.
No plastic CD cases. We used empty crisp packets and bits of recycled cardboard. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Recoup.
Pieter on Recoup's philosophy
Why a crisp packet?
It's a one use product - a classic example of reusing something that can't be recycled.
Was it messy?
It smelled a bit before we washed them. Schools, councils, offices and even cinemas helped us collect the bags. And some rinsed them out for us too.
If a small band can come up with a concept like this, big corporations should be able to come up with some fantastic solutions.
Pieter on Recoup's innovative CD case
Did it cost a packet?
Of course not. It's rubbish that would have been chucked. If you reduce, you save money.
Why did you do it?
To wake up the music and crisp industries. Why can't they use packaging that's easier to recycle? The chemicals and energy that go into plastic CD cases is a massive waste.
What's the song about?
How we're overstretching the planet's resources. If only people knew where their products came from.
Manufacturers sever that link - they dress it in a pretty package to make it look nice. We need more transparency.
When's the crunch point?
We've got a huge problem on our hands. It's not just the music industry. We're overproducing in every aspect of life.
Governments have got to get serious about the environment and make stronger laws.
It's one thing to recycle but the first thing any individual or business should do is reduce the amount of stuff they use.
Pieter on consumerism
What's the latest in bad taste?
Plastic bags are evil. Ban advertising on them - then supermarkets wouldn't give them out for free.
We're just sucking up the planet's resources without thinking beyond the next 10 years and what will be left.
Your next CD case?
All I'll say is that it's another one use product. We don't want to be known as the recycle band - but why spend money when we can use something that would have been chucked.
I'd love to play 'Remind You' at the House of Commons.
Pieter on pressing our politicians
Favourite flavour crisps?
My least favourite are smokey bacon. They're the fattiest and most difficult to clean!
Win a copy of 'Remind You' - currently number 15 in the UK club charts.
