How To Go Green This Festival Season
Festivals; a weekend of live music, joy and dancing in a field with thousands of people! However there is no escaping the fact that festivals can have a devastating impact on the planet, due to the astronomical amount of waste, energy and emissions they generate.
On average, a music festival like Coachella will generate 106 tons of waste per day, which is more than the weight of a fully-loaded Boeing 757 and its 300 passengers. UK festivals are implementing pledges to reduce their environmental impact such as Glastonbury’s ‘Love the Farm, Leave no trace’ but we all need to do our bit, so here are some ways you can help!
Reusable Over Single Use
Take a reusable water bottle with you and use the drinking fountains provided to refill it, rather than buying bottled water. It is also worth taking reusable cutlery, as not all food providers offer plastic alternatives.
Train Over Car
Attendee travel is the largest source of emissions created as a result of festivals. In the UK alone, festival travel emissions is equivalent to driving at 60mph nonstop for 354 years. Where possible, travel to the festival by train instead of driving. If there is a large group of you going, make use of any coaches provided to minimise the number of cars on the road.
Get Creative
Utilise your existing wardrobe by jazzing up old clothes, cutting the legs off some old jeans to denim shorts or borrow from friends for your festival garms.
Shop Secondhand
If you need to buy something, there is nowhere better than vintage shops for all your tie dye, bucket hats and crochet needs.
Choose biodegradable
This goes for your glitter and make up wipes, which often contain plastic. Biodegradable glitter is widely available online and in stores these days, so no excuse! If you can, try and take a reusable flannel but if you have to use wipes, buy some that do not contain plastic and are biodegradable.
Take Your Rubbish Home
Any rubbish left after the festival will likely not be disposed of or recycled properly. Dispose of any trash/recycling in the facilities provided and take everything else home with you, including tents, sleeping bags, fancy dress.
Written by Rebecca Jackson, Stories Behind Things