Promotes Deposit and Reuse at Airbeat One: Festival Makes Strides in Waste Reduction Efforts
The Airbeat One festival, held in Neustadt-Glewe, Germany, has made a significant stride towards sustainability and climate protection, as revealed by festival spokesperson Oliver Franke. The event, attended by approximately 200,000 people, has implemented a series of measures aimed at reducing emissions and promoting environmental responsibility.
One of the key initiatives was the introduction of a deposit system, where a ten-euro deposit per camper was included in the ticket price. Campers were provided with trash bags, and upon leaving the festival, they could exchange their filled bags for their deposit at designated stations. This innovative approach proved successful in reducing trash, as reported by festival organisers.
Moreover, the main stage at Airbeat One is built with reusable materials such as wooden planks, LEDs, and steel structures, ensuring that these elements can be utilised in future festivals. The only non-reusable elements are the printed screens of the main stage.
In addition to waste reduction strategies, Airbeat One has also focused on other environmentally friendly practices. Crew members at the festival's catering were provided with reusable dishes to minimise trash, and a discount store on the festival grounds in 2022 led to more deposit bottles being returned and fewer glass bottles being brought.
However, not all visitors adhered to the festival's rules. Some ignored the ban on bulky waste, such as furniture or pallets, and managed to bring in sofas. Confetti, toilet paper, a knocked-over grill, and broken camping chairs were among the items left behind on the festival grounds after the event.
Despite these challenges, staff were present throughout the festival days to remove trash, including confetti and broken camping chairs. The festival grounds are currently being cleared and cleaned after the Airbeat One event.
It is worth noting that the Airbeat One festival's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its operational framework. The organisers have also implemented awareness campaigns to promote environmental responsibility among attendees.
As the festival continues to grow and evolve, it is clear that Airbeat One remains dedicated to reducing its ecological impact and setting a positive example for the music festival industry.
Science and environmental-science have played a significant role in the Airbeat One festival's efforts towards sustainability. For instance, the introduction of a deposit system, inspired by home-and-garden recycling principles, has helped reduce festival waste. Moreover, the festival organizers are considering implementing additional lifestyle practices, such as promoting reusable dishes in food catering, to further minimize their environmental footprint.
