With thousands of music-lovers gearing up for show-stopping gigs at Glastonbury Festival, it’s easy to overlook one of the major issues stemming from these popular events: waste management.
The truth is, music festivals generate a staggering amount of waste. In 2019, approximately 875,000 plastic cups were discarded at a single major music festival in the UK. Additionally, 90% of single-use plastic items used at festivals end up as litter.
It isn’t either a matter of not having the right measures put in place. Despite most UK festival organisers making sure recycling bins are made available for their events, only 20% of festival waste ends up being recycled. This inefficiency in waste management costs the UK around £10 million per year.
The environmental impact of music festivals is difficult to ignore, especially when plastic waste is involved. Plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose, and during that time, they can break down into microplastics, polluting the soil and water. And although paper-based products are biodegradable, they still need to be properly sorted and recycled to ensure they do not end up in landfills unnecessarily.
But what can be done?
Responsible recycling at festivals is not just a nice-to-have – it’s essential.
Festival organisers have a crucial role to play in promoting sustainable practices. By providing appropriate recycling facilities, encouraging the use of biodegradable materials, and inspiring attendees with best practice, their efforts can contribute significantly towards improving the reputation of their events when it comes to waste management.
Here are some ways in which both festival goers and organisers can minimise their environmental footprint:
Use designated recycling bins – separate your waste and keep an eye out for allocated recycling bins for plastics, paper, and cardboard (which, let’s not forget, is a more readily recyclable material). At festivals such as Glastonbury, organisers are increasing the number of recycling stations to make this easier.
Manage waste collection – having recycling bins is no use if they don’t get emptied at regular intervals. By choosing the right waste management partners, festival organisers can ensure recycling bins aren’t overflowing with discarded items.
Choose reusable items – instead of relying on single-use plastics, bring reusable cups, bottles, and cutlery. Many festivals now offer incentives for using reusable items, such as discounts at food stalls.
Seek out biodegradable alternatives – look out for food vendors who use biodegradable packaging. Cardboard and other compostable materials are a great alternative to plastic – not only do they break down more easily, but they also reduce the volume of waste that ends up in landfills.
Adopt a leave-no-trace mentality – whatever you bring to the festival, make sure you take it back with you. This includes tents, chairs, and other camping equipment.
A green festival is a happy festival
As we venture into the summer season, we encourage both festival-goers and organisers to take responsibility for their waste. By making small changes and supporting sustainable practices, our beloved festivals can be both joyous, environmentally friendly events for years to come.
So, as you pack your bags for Glastonbury, remember the 3 R’s: rock responsibly, recycle right, and respect the environment.