We’ve all seen the photos of plastic havoc after the UK’s biggest festivals, but Glastonbury is planning to lead the eco evolution with its greenest year yet.
The festival has banned the sale of single-use plastic bottles this year and is getting a new stage made entirely from recycled plastic picked from beaches, parks and streets across the UK.
But if you’re heading to the festival this week, there are also steps you can take to limit your impact on the environment.
Avoid using wet wipes
With queues for the showers often unbearably long, it’s easy to see how wet wipes have become a festival go-to. But the millions of wipes used each year in the UK cause problems in sewers and waterways (particularly when they’re flushed), clogging up vital systems and contributing to fatbergs.
Environmental charity Friends of the Earth points out are lots of wipes that advertise themselves as “biodegradable” or even “compostable”, but it’s hard to know how long these will take to break down. It recommends avoiding wet wipes altogether, but for times when that’s tough (like festivals) it recommends the brands Natracare and Kinder by Nature by Jackson Reece.
“A cheap and eco-friendly alternative to disposable wipes are flannels. You can buy packs of small square flannels from companies like Cheeky Wipes, or go old-school and cut up retired towels or worn sheets. Just add water or your choice of cleaning agents,” Friends of the Earth adds.
Choose biodegradable glitter
Call us big kids but we think covering our bodies in glitter is an essential part of festival fun. Unfortunately, a lot of glitter is made from tiny plastic particles, making it a potential ecological hazard.
Thankfully, a growing number of brands are offering cheap, plastic-free alternatives, like Eco Glitter Fun and The Gypsy Shrine, with pots starting from as little as £4.
The Gypsy Shrine produces its glitter using a biodegradable film derived from sustainable and environmentally-sourced raw materials such as cellulose, which comes from eucalyptus trees. Eco Glitter Fun also ensure plastic free packaging with every purchase so you can reduce your single use plastic consumption.
Take your tent home
Taking down a half-collapsed or mud covered tent might seem unappealing on that final hungover morning, but leaving it behind could mean it ends up in landfill.
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) – a membership body for 60 independent festivals including Boardmasters, Boomtown and Kendal Calling – is urging all festival goers to make the extra effort this year.
An estimated 250,000 tents are left at music festivals across the UK every year, it says, most of which aren’t collected by charities and can’t be recycled.
“Festival audiences can take positive action and reduce their carbon footprint simply by taking their tent home and reusing it, ensuring that it doesn’t become a single-use item this summer,” the organisation said.
Pack a reusable water bottle
Although you can still bring your own plastic water bottles into Glastonbury, a reusable water bottle is likely to be the hottest accessory on the festival circuit this year. Pop one in your bag so you’re ready to stay hydrated at the free water refill stations – here is our pick of the prettiest.
If you’re craving a cool mixer to pair with the warm vodka you’ve got stashed in your backpack, opt for a can purchased from the bar or an ice cream van and be sure to recycle it.
Wear sustainable clothing
Fast fashion is so 2014. Shop second hand for your festival outfit this year or opt for brands that do their bit for the planet. Check out our roundup of five affordable, ethical brands that care for the environment and their employees.
Alternatively, look for well-crafted fashion that’ll last longer than one season. Chunky sporty sandals are set to be popular this festival season, according to Lyst’s Festival Fashion 2019 Trend Report.
We’re loving this Teva pair for £50 that look set to last way beyond festival season. And you’ll find more sustainable festival fashion ideas here.