“Can Glastonbury Music Festival’s Sustainability Efforts Inspire 200,000+ Campers to ‘Leave No Trace’?”
Glastonbury, one of the world’s biggest music festivals, is known for its commitment to sustainability and leaving no trace on the land. With a lineup that includes popular artists like Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and Shania Twain, the festival attracts hundreds of thousands of campers each year. But the question remains – is it possible for over 200,000 campers to truly “leave no trace”?
The efforts to make Glastonbury sustainable are extensive and cover everything from trash pickup to wheelchair access to child safety. The festival has strict rules against plastic and glass, only allowing biodegradable and compostable materials on-site. Despite these efforts, there is still a significant amount of waste left behind by campers, which is where Atholl Lawson and his team of volunteers come in.
Atholl Lawson leads a team of trash collectors who work day and night to empty the 15,000 trash bins scattered throughout the festival grounds. They use color-coded systems and grabber tools to efficiently collect and sort the waste, ensuring that as much as possible is recycled or composted. The sheer volume of trash collected requires about 100 dump-truck-loads per day to be transported to a recycling facility on-site.
Luke Howell, Glastonbury’s sustainability and green initiatives manager, oversees the process of preparing the site for the return of its full-time residents – a herd of dairy cows. This involves hand-sorting all collected waste on a conveyor belt picking line and using magnets to pick up any stray metals or tent pegs left behind. Volunteers like Scarlett Lake, a geneticist in real life, and Rachel Smith from the charity WaterAid, play a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness of the festival grounds.
In addition to its sustainability efforts, Glastonbury also prioritizes accessibility for all attendees. This includes providing wheelchair ramps, calm zones for neurodivergent individuals, and ensuring child safety. People like Karen Lamb, who has multiple sclerosis and relies on a mobility scooter to navigate the festival, appreciate the efforts made to accommodate individuals with special needs.
Despite the challenges of managing such a massive event, Glastonbury remains committed to its founding motto of leaving no trace on the land. As the festival comes to a close, the bustling city-like atmosphere will soon give way to the tranquility of a sleepy farm, thanks to the hard work and dedication of volunteers and staff.
Overall, Glastonbury sets a high standard for sustainability and inclusivity in the music festival industry, proving that with careful planning and dedication, it is possible for over 200,000 campers to “leave no trace” and enjoy a memorable and environmentally-friendly experience.