The Rise of Environmentally Friendly Festivals

There has been a growing trend towards more environmentally-friendly music festivals across the world.

If you are a regular festival goer, you may well have noticed the increase in eco-friendly music festivals on offer. These themes are also going beyond simply paying lip-service to eco-friendly ideals. Instead, organizers are making sure they prove their eco-credentials in everything they do, from the bands they hire to the facilities they provide.

However, in the wake of a damning UN report on the state and future of man-made climate change, there has never been a better time to consider the environmental impact and carbon footprint of festivals. Even festivals such as Burning Man, that are traditionally associated with environmental harmony, are producing excessive water. But many festivals have announced comprehensive steps to minimize their impact.

Food

Let’s start with the food. A truly ecologically friendly festival will seek to source their food from as many locally sourced and organic ingredients as possible, although this might not be possible for everything. These food outlets make a very welcome change from the usual greasy pizzas and messy nachos that tend to be served at festivals. Many also offer a wide selection of fresh fruit and organic vegetables.

Waste and Rubbish

This is one aspect of throwing a festival that is often overlooked. The decisions that festival bosses make with regards to the provision of bins and recycling bins for festivalgoers, and the availability of portable restrooms, will have a big impact on the overall environmental impact of the festival. Some studies predict that as much as 35% of the overall carbon footprint of a festival is due to the amount of waste generated on-site in countries like Australia which has seen a major growth-spurt within the festival industry. This has caused local businesses to think more about efficient rubbish removal in Sydney and all over the world.

There has been a rapidly growing number of companies such as Satellite TruckXpress who provide portable restrooms and infrastructure that festival organizers need to handle human waste in the most environmentally-friendly way possible.

Recycling

Whenever you are planning to travel to a festival, you should first make a detailed list of what you need to take with you. Look for items that you can recycle when you have finished using them. Taking recyclable versions of many of these items with you will allow you to make a very real difference to the overall carbon footprint of the event you attend. You might have seen the photos of the aftermath of various festivals. One thing that is striking is the sheer level of rubbish left behind by attendees. This necessitates a very time-consuming and thorough clean-up by festival volunteers.

All over the world, festivals are realizing that adopting a more environmentally friendly approach when planning for their festival can provide them with some very effective free marketing. Some of the more commercial festivals have continued to stick to their old ways, but the increasing number of independent festivals who have been playing up their eco-credentials are finding that many more people than ever before are interested in supporting them. An eco-friendly approach is often much cheaper than a more wasteful one.