GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL 'GREEN TRAVELLER' INITIATIVE

Glastonbury Festival has long been committed to reducing carbon emissions, protecting the local environment and raising awareness about climate change. A team of volunteers manage waste collection on the site, and last year saw 49% of this rubbish recycled. A high level of bio-diversity is maintained on the festival site by protecting vulnerable habitats through non-public zones and by planting native trees and hedges. In 2005, a temporary 3 acre reserve was created to protect a deer that emerged near the Pyramid Stage, from which it emerged unscathed at the end of the festival. All Glastonbury Festival t-shirts are printed using water based (non-pvc) inks and vegetable dyes, all cutlery used by market stalls must be wood, not plastic, all cups and plates are made from a compostable material and in 2004 a composting initiative was introduced to minimise the amount of waste that is sent to landfills.

Glastonbury are also investing in renewable power and low energy solutions by using a combination of “Orion” solar generators and modern PA and LED technology where possible. This green technology at the Festival will save over a tonne of carbon emissions this year.

In addition to these numerous commitments to limiting the environmental impact of the festival, this year sees the advent of Glastonbury Festival’s “Green Traveller” initiative. To help lower carbon emissions and to raise awareness about the need to tackle climate change, the Festival is supporting people who choose to come to Somerset by public transport or bicycle. Over 50% of Glastonbury Festival’s CO2 emissions come from how the Festival goer makes their way to the site, so ticket holders who arrive at the Festival by public transport or bicycle will be given a Green Traveller lanyard. This rewards their journey with ways to make their Festival experience slightly more comfortable, such as vouchers for discounts on food and access to solar showers and compost toilets. They aim to get a third of Festival goers to arrive by train or coach – and perhaps encourage them to think about how they use their cars for the rest of the year too.