"Green" Music Festivals Around the World

In consideration of Earth Day on April 22nd and because of my involvement with music, I was asked to write a short research article that showcased what some festivals are doing to be more Eco-concious. Please check out Face The Current for many more life inspiring articles.

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In this era of more eco-conscious individuals and organizations, there are a number of festivals that are taking the initiative to lessen the waste and impact that they leave after the music has stopped. Many festivals are notorious for producing as much waste as a small city over the course of a weekend. From the one time use containers, to construction materials for temporary structures, lost and found items, to human waste; these festivals can make a large impact on the surrounding areas. This not only causes negative implications for the environment but also for the image of these types of events. More and more communities are saying, “We don’t want you trash here!” As the eco-conscious community grows and festival promoters search for ways to be the positive change they want to see, some of the largest events around the world are coming up with ways to lessen their footprint. Below you will see a short list of some of them that are leading the pack in that mission.

Festival Name: Envision - https://envisionfestival.com/
Location: Costa Rica - Rancho La Merced in Uvita
Dates: February 22nd – 26th, 2018 (2019 Date TBD)
Their Mission Statement: “As a celebration dedicated to awakening our human potential, Envision provides a platform for different cultures to co-exist in sustainable community, and inspire one another through art, spirituality, yoga, music, dance, performance, education, sustainability and our fundamental connection with nature.”

Envision is arguably the most “green” large festival in the world. As can be read in the “8 Pillars” of their mission, two of the values they hold in high regards is: Permaculture - End Single Use, Regenerative Design, Land Stewardship, Reforestation, and Resource Management. Eco Building - Minimum Impact, Renewable materials, integrated systems design, ethical labor sourcing.

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Festival Name: Lucidity Festival - http://lucidityfestival.com
Location: Santa Barbara – CA
Dates: April 6-9 2018
Their Mission Statement: Lucidity Festival LLC is a collectively owned organization dedicated to creating transformational experiences for individuals and communities; we are a production company, a creative lifestyle for expanding consciousness, and an interconnected community of friends and family. Everything we do revolves around the mission of advancing the following values in the world: Participation and Immersion in the Artistic Process. Personal Growth and Global Healing. Awake and Aware Consciousness. Environmental and Social Responsibility. Family Fun and Creative Play. Communal Reciprocity. Transparency.

Lucidity Festival has started an end single use campaign along with the motto of, “LEAVE IT BETTER”. They provide their festival goers a handy checklist to help with the mission. This list includes easy suggestions of how to lessen each person’s impact and waste including - Reduce: purchase items with recyclable packaging. Purchase canned beverages rather than bottled ones. Leave styrofoam at home. Reuse: Bring your own reusable water bottle, mug and dishware. Avoid single use items: Invest in a 3-5 gallon water container. Leave no trace: Pack it in, pack it out! Bring trash bags, and containers for recycling, landfill, and compost.

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Festival Name: Burning Man - http://burningman.org/
Location: Black Rock City, Nevada
Dates: Aug 26 – Sept 3
Mission Statement: The mission of the Burning Man organization is to facilitate and extend the culture that has issued from the Burning Man event into the larger world.

Though Burning Man does not speak to it directly in their mission or vision, from the beginning it has prided it’s self on “Leave No Trace”. It is expected and ensured that what is packed in, is packed out. At the end of the weeklong festival it is near impossible to recognize that tens of thousands of people were camping out at Black Rock. About the only trace is some tire tracks left in the sand that are quickly blown away by the desert winds. The “leave no trace” culture that has been a part of Burning Man since its inception has quickly spread to most of the individuals. They realize that in order to be in line with that social practice, they must pack lightly and rely on multiple use supplies.

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Festival Name: Glastonbury Festival - http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
Location: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset - UK
Dates: June 26-30 2019
Mission Statement: None found.

Throughout its nearly 50 year history, the Glastonbury Festival has been a social leader in the realm of community building, philanthropy and eco-conscious practices. This biennium festival has decided to ban all plastic bottles in 2019. As many people know, this is one of the largest sources of waste and pollution in the world. This will be a huge precedent that they will set for others to follow. In addition to banning plastic bottles, Glastonbury Festival has other existing initiatives including; Don’t Waste a Drop, Leave No Trace, Take It Don’t Leave It, and a friendly request to not pee on the land. They say that it causes toxic pollution of the water table – which can be logical considering 200,000 people attend this event. To assist in this request they provide 1,300 composting toilets that are cleaned throughout the day with staff on call 24/7.

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