In recognition of Global Climate Change Week, Australian music festivals are taking accountability for the excessive waste their events produce, reminding attendees to implement sustainable practices.
The popular New Year’s festival Beyond the Valley shared an Instagram post this week, revealing the devastating amount of rubbish left behind last year.
Beyond the Valley organisers have encouraged their followers to work together to reduce festival waste going forward.
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“These images were honestly eye opening & show that we all need to work together to look after the little animals and plants that live on the land when we’re not dancing on it,” the post read.
“With these images, we’ll compare leftover waste to make sure we’re moving in the right direction.
“It’s collectively our responsibility to take care of the land.”
Green Music Australia found approximately two kilograms of waste per person is generated each day at music festivals.
Furthermore, campsites are responsible for 80 per cent of festival waste, with attendees regularly discarding their single-use equipment.
Avid festival-goer, Zara Carson, attended Beyond the Valley last year and was disappointed by the recent findings.
“My friends and I all made an effort to keep our campsite clean, so I was shocked when I saw the waste map,” Miss Carson said.
“Of course, multi-day festivals are going to be messy but that doesn’t give people the right to litter.”
Zara Carson (right) with friends at Beyond the Valley, 2023.
Australia hosts over 500 music festivals annually and many have started partnering with sustainable companies.
For example, Lost Paradise work closely with B-Alternative to manage campsite clean-ups and reduce waste contamination.
However, Miss Carson believes it is not solely the responsibility of the festival to decrease waste.
“I think everyone who attends should be more mindful about their rubbish and how much they are leaving behind,” Miss Carson said.
“It’s really important we start investing in reusable camping equipment, to prevent a bunch of unnecessary items ending up in landfill.”
Global Climate Change Week has encouraged Australian’s to stay conscious about their environmental responsibilities.