So you want to go plastic-free at your favourite festival this year? Say no more!
We’ve pulled together some plastic-free essentials in our 4 part guide to keep you feeling good!
According to Powerful Thinking’s ‘The Show Must Go On’ report 2020, UK camping music festivals are generating 25,800 tonnes of waste annually. Of that only a third is recycled and the rest goes to landfill.
You’ll likely find that most festivals are making efforts to reduce plastic waste on site, with composting toilets, refillable water stations, no plastic bottles sold on site and food stalls only permitted to use serveware made from wood or cardboard. But there’s a lot we can personally do as festival goers to make sure we leave as little waste as possible.
It’s always a good idea to check the festival website for general guidance on permitted items (some allow barbecues, others do not and most have strict no glass policies… including mirrors!) as well as what to bring. Remember your ID and label your belongings with your name and phone number in case they go missing.
Part 1: Plastic-free festival food and drink
In part 1 we’re looking at ways you can eat and drink to your heart's content at your next festival without plastic!
1. Bring Your Own Reusable Water Bottle and Coffee Cup (and beer cup)... IN ONE!
You could cart around a reusable water bottle, reusable coffee cup and reusable beer cup…. Or you can carry one item - Bottlecup, that will conveniently do all three!
Bottlecup's plastic-free reusable water bottle is perfect for refilling from water stations dotted around the festival. The bottle holds 530ml of liquid, ideal for staying hydrated on the go.
Bottlecup's handy to-go cup is attached to the water bottle and is ready 'to go' at a moment's notice with a single twist to release. Meaning you only need to carry one item and you’re always prepared for an impromptu beverage. The lid for the cup is hidden neatly and hygienically in the base, allowing you to sip without spilling whilst on the move.
The cup can hold half a pint of beer too! The double wall vacuum insulation keeps your drink cooler for longer and, let’s be honest, it’s so much nicer drinking beer from a stainless steel cup than a plastic one!
2. Cutlery
Bring some stainless steel cutlery from home. A handy hack is to take some stainless kids cutlery! They’re nice and small and won’t take up much space in your bag. Or there’s always the space saving spork!
3. Stainless Steel Containers
Ideal for storing food, or filling with food from a vendor on site. They can also be used in place of plates or bowls back at the tent. You could even seal in any leftovers to safely bring home and compost or dispose of responsibly. Our favourites that we’ve been using for years are by Onyx.
4. Napkins
To quote Glastonbury.com: “If every festival-goer used four napkins instead of one, there would be an extra 450,000 napkins wasted unnecessarily.” Better yet, bring your own cloth napkins!
5. Hand sanitiser
Team your reusable cotton wipes or cloth napkins with a refillable hand sanitiser (we have been using this one by Beauty Kitchen for years now!) and you’ve suddenly eliminated any need for disposable wet wipes! It can also be used as an emergency deodorant (I've tested this a lot whenever I forget to put deodorant on in the morning!). Your local zero waste store may sell some hand santiiser too! Make sure it has a minimum 60% alcohol content to be effective.
