Music festivals are one of the most exciting and anticipated activities of the year for many people. After years without being able to enjoy them, in the summer of 2022 they had an important welcome. However, the amount of waste generated and the high demand for energy have a negative impact on the environment. That is why more and more events of this size are adopting sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint;
In this article, we explore the growing movement of sustainable music festivals, as well as steps you can take to make your event sustainable as well as fun. Shall we get started?
Are sustainable festivals viable?
Festivals are massive events that gather thousands of people in the same place. The mountains of garbage made up of plastic cups and bottles, electric cigarettes and food are the result of these events. And it is not only the garbage that is of concern, but also the noise and light pollution. Faced with the complexity of the situation generated by climate change, more and more organizers and promoters are betting on the development of sustainable practices in events;
In addition, the implementation of these measures brings great benefits to sustainable festivals. Reducing energy costs and the amount of waste generated results in significant savings in event production costs. On the other hand, advocating this type of event attracts a more environmentally conscious audience, which can lead to increased participation and attendee loyalty.
Sustainable measures for music festivals
Sustainable music festivals are a very viable alternative in a world where it is necessary to take measures to take care of the environment. There are several sustainable practices that can be implemented to reduce environmental impact. Some of these measures include:
Sustainable transport
The location of the venue is a factor to take into account when organizing a music festival. Its easy accessibility will be essential to promote sustainable mobility, such as bicycles, public transport, electric vehicles… in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible.
Paperless
Paperlessness in managing music festival logistics is a very widespread measure nowadays. It refers to both the internal and external communication of the festival, as well as the management of suppliers. It includes newsletters, news, tickets, confirmations and satisfaction surveys via e-mail, instead of printing out sheets of paper. Technology also plays a very important role. Code reading for access and badges, digital payments from a mobile device or NFC wristbands for events help reduce the use of paper.
Make sure your suppliers also follow the sustainability criteria you require for your event.
Waste management
We have discussed how the festival industry is in the spotlight because of the amount of waste it generates. Therefore, incorporating an efficient waste management system that includes recycling and reuse of materials is essential to manage this problem. The incorporation of recycling spaces in strategic points of the venue is essential for the celebration of sustainable events.
Sustainable supplies
In the previous point we talked about the importance of good waste management at the event. More and more festivals are joining the trend of using sustainable and recyclable materials, such as reusable and biodegradable cups. Some events go one step further towards sustainability and if you return the used cups they refund the deposit paid at the time of buying the first drink.
Renewable energies
Large-scale festivals require a large amount of energy to operate. Therefore, renewable energy for events is an important aspect to consider. Solar and wind energy are two of the most widely used renewable energy sources today. The partial or total use of these clean energies to supply the event would be a breakthrough in sustainable music festivals.
Sustainable communication
La comunicación durante y antes del evento es muy común. Fomentar una comunicación sostenible mediante la utilización de pantallas de bajo consumo energético y la reducción de materiales impresos.
These are some of the sustainable measures that festivals are beginning to implement. It is important to emphasize that each festival has its own impact, so the implementation of these sustainable practices must be customized for each one.
Technology, the main ally for sustainability at festivals
The digitization of processes at events is also part of the path of festivals towards sustainability. It is possible to integrate festival tickets into a smart device without the need for paper. As well as using event wristbands as a payment method.
Following this line, the cashless payment systems at festivals are the most cost-effective alternative to cash. They make it possible to pay at any point of sale and eliminate the excessive use of plastic for tokens or tickets;
At Gofun we have developed a NFC cashless and contactless payments technology for any event, regardless of its type and size. Our solution adapts to the specific needs of each festival to improve the user experience and increase revenues. Still don’t know how to make your festival more sustainable? Start by digitizing your payments, contact us!
