I try to shop ethically wherever possible. To this end I normally do my research before buying something big like a synth, as to whether the manufacturer has any ethical practices. You know the sort of thing - it’s also called CSR (corporate social responsibility) and concerns areas including conditions in the supply chain, policies on sustainable disposal of chemicals used in manufacturing etc. Just wondering if anyone else can identify with this?
Results vary wildly. I’m pleased to say Elektron seem to score really well; I emailed them last year and I had a helpful reply providing all sorts of encouraging info, including saying that the machines were manufactured in the EU and, until recently, were even made just across the road from Elektron’s office. The respondant did admit that Elektron needed to put this on their website but regrettably it seems they still haven’t.
Yamaha and Roland also score well and have extensive CSR info on their website. Other firms I’ve had less success with. Some of the smaller synth firms have responded with bemusement bordering on hostility when I ask the question. Korg have nothing to say about CSR at all on their site but did say in an email reply to me last week that they have been working hard on their sustainability and would put info about this on their site “in due course”. They also linked me to their anti-forced labour policy.
All of which is to say, is this something you consider too? I know chipsets are all (?) made in China, and there’s only so much you can do (it’s not normally possible to shop 100% ethically) but there are still choices to be had usually.
Anyway, interested in anyone’s thoughts on this or whether you’ve done similar research!
