Alexei Volkov
In 2019, Glastonbury Festival banned the sale of single-use plastic bottles on-site, with the aim of becoming plastic-free. Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis said that single-use plastic is a huge threat to our planet. The ban was praised by Sir David Attenborough, who made a surprise appearance to announce that the ban would save over one million plastic bottles. Festivalgoers were encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles and refill them at taps around the site, with organisers providing 850 water points. Other initiatives included urging attendees to bring reusable tents and banning non-compostable tableware.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2019, 2022 |
| Plastic items banned | Plastic drinking bottles, non-compostable plates, cups, straws, sauce sachets, cutlery |
| Alternatives provided | 850 water points, canned water, wooden cutlery, paper plates |
| Other initiatives | Requested attendees to bring reusable tents, wipes, water bottles |
| Impact | 1 million plastic bottles saved, 99.3% of tents were taken home |
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What You'll Learn
- Festival-goers were urged to bring reusable tents, wipes and water bottles
- Single-use plastic drinking bottles were banned
- Attendees bought canned water and were supplied with wooden cutlery
- David Attenborough praised the festival's decision to go plastic-free
- The festival organisers are encouraging attendees to adopt greener habits
Festival-goers were urged to bring reusable tents, wipes and water bottles
In 2019, Glastonbury Festival organisers banned single-use plastic drinking bottles for revellers and in backstage, production, catering, and dressing room areas. Instead, festival-goers were encouraged to bring and use reusable bottles and refill them at taps or bars around the site.
In addition to reusable water bottles, attendees were also urged to bring reusable tents and wipes to the festival. Tents left behind at the festival cannot be reused or recycled, so festival-goers were asked to bring sturdy, fit-for-purpose tents that they would take home and reuse. Similarly, disposable wipes, even those labelled biodegradable, were discouraged, and festival-goers were encouraged to bring their own refillable condiments instead of relying on sachets.
Glastonbury's green issues organiser, Lucy Smith, emphasised the importance of tackling the issue of plastic water bottles, which are one of the most conspicuous symbols of throwaway culture. The festival's efforts to promote reusability and reduce plastic waste were praised by Sir David Attenborough, who made a surprise appearance to announce that over one million plastic bottles were saved by the more than 200,000 attendees.
While some attendees continued to bring plastic items, the festival's commitment to reducing plastic waste was evident in the provision of canned water, wooden cutlery, paper plates, and 850 water points for refilling bottles. The introduction of site-wide plastic bans aimed to inspire festival-goers to adopt more sustainable practices, and the results showed a positive impact, with a significant increase in recycling and a reduction in waste.
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Single-use plastic drinking bottles were banned
In 2019, Glastonbury Festival banned the sale of single-use plastic drinking bottles across the whole site, including backstage, production, catering, and dressing room areas. The ban was implemented to reduce plastic waste and encourage festival-goers to use reusable bottles. This decision was praised by Sir David Attenborough, who made a surprise appearance on the Pyramid Stage to announce his support for the ban.
Organizers of the festival, Michael and Emily Eavis, urged attendees to bring their reusable bottles and refill them at hundreds of free water taps available on-site. They also tripled the number of WaterAid kiosks and provided free drinking water from all bars. While the ban was a significant step towards sustainability, some attendees still brought plastic bottles onto the site, and a cleanup operation was required to remove leftover plastic bottles, among other items.
The 2019 ban on single-use plastic bottles was part of a broader effort by Glastonbury Festival to reduce its environmental impact. Other initiatives included banning non-compostable plates, cups, straws, sauce sachets, and cutlery, as well as encouraging festival-goers to bring reusable tents and wipes.
Glastonbury Festival's commitment to sustainability continued in 2022, with co-organizer Emily Eavis confirming that the ban on single-use plastic drinks bottles would remain in place for that year's festival. This decision built on the success of the 2019 ban, which saved 1.7 million bottles from landfills.
The single-use plastic bottle ban at Glastonbury Festival has been a notable step towards reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability. It has inspired other festivals to make similar pledges and raised awareness among attendees about the importance of reducing plastic consumption.
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Attendees bought canned water and were supplied with wooden cutlery
In 2019, Glastonbury Festival banned the sale of single-use plastic water bottles on-site. Festival-goers were encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles or buy canned water. The festival also provided 850 water points for refilling bottles.
The ban on plastic bottles was part of a wider effort by the festival to reduce its environmental impact. In addition to the ban on plastic bottles, Glastonbury also banned all non-compostable plates, cups, straws, sauce sachets, and cutlery. Festival-goers were supplied with wooden cutlery and ate their food off paper plates.
Despite these efforts, some attendees still brought plastic onto the site, and plastic waste was left strewn across Worthy Farm. A clean-up operation involving 1,300 volunteers was required to remove leftover single-use camping chairs, plastic bottles, blow-up mattresses, and other plastic items.
Glastonbury's commitment to reducing plastic waste has continued in subsequent years, with the festival banning the sale of single-use plastic bottles again in 2022. The festival's organisers hope that these measures will inspire attendees to adopt more sustainable habits and reduce the amount of waste produced by the festival.
The festival's efforts to go plastic-free have received widespread praise, with Sir David Attenborough making a surprise appearance on the Pyramid Stage to applaud Glastonbury's decision. The festival's commitment to reducing plastic waste has also inspired other festivals and organisations to follow suit, with similar plastic-free pledges being made by Bestival, Latitude, and Download.
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David Attenborough praised the festival's decision to go plastic-free
In 2019, Glastonbury Festival took the historic decision to go plastic-free. All non-compostable plates, cups, straws, sauce sachets, and cutlery were banned, and single-use plastic drinking bottles were prohibited across the whole site, including backstage, production, catering, and dressing room areas. Festival-goers were encouraged to use reusable bottles and fill them at taps or bars across the site.
David Attenborough, the renowned broadcaster and naturalist, praised Glastonbury's commitment to reducing plastic waste. He made a surprise appearance on the Pyramid Stage on the final day of the festival, thanking the crowds for their efforts in reducing plastic consumption. He highlighted the impact of single-use plastic on the ocean, referencing his documentary series, Blue Planet 2, and its memorable sequence showing the effects of plastic pollution on marine life.
Attenborough's speech drew a passionate response from the audience, with many attendees applauding Glastonbury's plastic-free initiative. He received the loudest applause of the weekend, reflecting the importance placed on environmental consciousness by festival-goers.
Glastonbury's decision to go plastic-free was a significant step in raising awareness about the impact of single-use plastic on the environment. While the festival faced challenges, such as some attendees bringing plastic items and the presence of non-recyclable packaging from certain vendors, the overall impact was positive. The festival set an example for other large-scale events and organisations to follow, demonstrating that it is possible to reduce plastic consumption significantly.
Attenborough's praise for Glastonbury's efforts carried significant weight due to his longstanding advocacy for environmental protection. His appearance at the festival further emphasised the importance of addressing plastic pollution and inspired attendees to continue adopting more sustainable practices in their daily lives.
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The festival organisers are encouraging attendees to adopt greener habits
The Glastonbury Festival has become synonymous with its commitment to reducing plastic waste. In 2019, the organisers banned single-use plastic drinking bottles for both revellers and backstage areas, including production, catering, and dressing rooms. Festival-goers were encouraged to use reusable bottles and refill them at various taps around the site or from bars. This move was praised by none other than Sir David Attenborough, who made a surprise appearance to commend the decision.
While the festival has shown its dedication to reducing plastic waste, it has also actively encouraged attendees to adopt more sustainable habits. One of the key messages from the organisers has been to bring reusable tents, wipes, and water bottles instead of single-use or disposable items. This is in response to the often-discarded tents and litter-strewn fields that have become an unfortunate post-festival sight. In 2017, 81% of tents were left at the festival, but in 2019, due to the 'Love The Farm, Leave No Trace' message, a remarkable 99.3% of tents were taken home.
Glastonbury has also urged attendees to avoid bringing plastic items that will likely be left behind, such as single-use camping chairs. They have also requested that festival-goers bring sturdy, long-lasting tents that can be reused for a lifetime of camping experiences, rather than dumped at the site. This aligns with the festival's ethos of reducing waste and encouraging a shift in mindset towards more sustainable choices.
The organisers have also implemented measures to support these greener habits, such as providing 850 water points across the site and ensuring that all traders sell drinks in recyclable cans or provide water in compostable paper cups. These initiatives have empowered attendees to make more sustainable choices, with many choosing to bring their own reusable cutlery, tumblers, and metal straws.
Glastonbury's efforts to reduce plastic waste and encourage greener habits among attendees have not gone unnoticed. The festival has inspired other events and businesses to follow suit, recognising the importance of tackling the plastic crisis and its impact on the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2019, Glastonbury banned the sale of single-use plastic drinking bottles for revellers and backstage areas across the whole site. Festival-goers were encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles and refill them at various taps around the site. Water and soft drinks in recyclable cans were also available to buy from traders.
The decision was praised by many, including Sir David Attenborough, who made a surprise appearance to commend Glastonbury's commitment to reducing its environmental impact. However, some attendees were disappointed to see people bringing in plastic items, and an onsite Co-op sold items in non-recyclable packaging.
Festival-goers were urged to bring reusable tents, wipes, and water bottles instead of single-use and disposable items. All non-compostable plates, cups, straws, sauce sachets, and cutlery were stopped, replaced with paper plates and wooden cutlery.
