What’s with all this Plastic at Festivals?

So I’ve been around the festival circuit in Australia and abroad for quite some time now and I’ve noticed that there’s been a real trend happening from both festival organisers and punters when it comes to trash and managing waste…

The interesting thing is that often I see this contradiction when it comes to rubbish and this environmentally friendly conversation… and that’s these seemingly eco-friendly festivals presenting themselves as being progressive and supporting conscious choices when it comes to rubbish, but then doing things like not providing bins in venues and not separating rubbish from recyclables…

Here’s a couple of pics from The Boho Festival in Melbourne earlier this year held at The Royal Exhibition building…

There were no bins in the venue to separate trash for attendees. So no choice but ending up as trash. Really sad to see. These festivals like Boho are trying to be eco-friendly by asking vendors to use eco packaging for food – but what’s the point if they don’t get composted or recycled?

Recently a video went viral showing the outrageous amounts of rubbish left behind after the Lost Paradise Festival north of Sydney – in a National Park! Here’s the footage https://tinyurl.com/y8x45b3k

I really don’t get it! I mean, the festival organisers don’t make it easy for punters who want to do the right thing. But also, I think it’s equally important for us as festival goers to start recognising our impact, becoming more empowered when it comes to refusing trash and making a stand for truly conscious choices.

So how can we solve this dilemma? Does it come down to lack money and funding? Lack of Infrastructure? Is it pure laziness, ignorance or lack of care regarding this issue? Or is it simply just lack of awareness surrounding alternative solutions? Who’s to say…I’m not entirely sure…

The one thing I do know though, is that we as individuals and punters need to start taking responsibility for not buying into this wasteful mentality and recognising the beauty of these incredible places and lands that we get to dance, play and celebrate upon. So remember to take your reusable kit with you so you don’t have to use the disposable products – even if they are so called ‘environmentally friendly’ or compostable. In addition to this, the festivals have a responsibility to us as patrons and to the environment to provide the necessary infrastructure for waste management systems and to continue offering plastic-free alternatives.

But I think importantly we have to continue to lead the way with our actions, speaking out about these things happening and using our voices to make a difference and support the ban of plastic at festivals!

Wouldn’t that be a different kind of party? That’s one I’d love to see!

Article written by Lillian Adele

(visit: www.lillianadele.com)