Glastonbury (not just a music festival!)
Glastonbury is actually held near the village of Pilton, whose population swells from 1000 to 200,000 each summer. The locals don’t mind that much, as the festival-goers are a pretty peaceful lot, and obviously bring in income for the pubs!
The festival does generate huge amounts of litter. But it has things in order, with chosen litter pickers (who get their own campsite with flushing toilets and meal vouchers) going into action when the festival ends.
Leaving the place pristine within a few days. Unusual items found include:
- A grandfather clock
- A bra with poo in it
- A wig that someone had vomited in
- People sleeping under piles of clothes!
Tips for Greener Music Festivals
- Take the train or share lifts. Most festivals offer shuttle buses or discounts for public transport users.
- Bring a refillable water bottle (most festivals offer water stations).
- Invest in personal ashtrays and cigarette bins.
- Avoid glitter (even ‘biodegradable ones’ often contain microplastics).
- Stick to marked paths and camp in approved areas.
- Power your festival with Ecotricity (does not burn abattoir waste).
- Set up waterproof cardboard tents. Don’t smoke in or near them (near any kind of ten). Cook at least 2 metres away.
- Install modern composting toilets (and air-flush urinals)
