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PLASTIC-FREEFESTIVAL-GOER

GUIDE

A free FESTIVAL-GOERSguide for REDUCING

YOUR PLASTICFOOTPRINT

Working together to reduce plastic consumption and implement

healthy, fair, sustainable solutions...GET INVOLVED!

Since the dawn of civilisation, Festivals have been places where people step out of everyday life, play, learn, share ideas and become inspired. They provide space for new genres of music, new art forms and contemporary political and environmental issues to be expressed and explored, over and above the opportunitiy to be inspired.

The unique festival experience o�ers festival-goers the opportunity to make a positive change in society.

All festivals have environmental footprints, by consuming energy, water, food and materials, and producing waste and carbon.

Within our current linear system, the impacts of the supply chain and the materials that products are made from are less often considered beyond the event itself. The embodied energy in materials, the impacts of manufacturing processes and what happens to the products after their use are signi�cant aspects of their environmental and social impact. Whilst the use of certi�ed timber is a well-established practice and food sourcing has become a more prominent issue, other materials are often not considered in depth or within a circular system.

This guide shares ideas about how we can achieve this, starting right now at the festival!

CONTENTSPLASTICS AT FESTIVALS 2 PLASTIC - THE FACTS 3

THE GUIDE: How can you reduce plastics at festivals? 7

CASE STUDIES: Best Practice 10

GLOSSSARY 11

USEFUL RESOURCES 14

1

Plastics have become part of our daily lives, and have given us great gifts in medicine and modern advancements. However, the production, use and disposal of plastics cause widespread ecological damage throughout its life-cycle.

Inadvertently, the very properties that make it remarkably useful also make it a persistent pollutant, especially in the marine environment. This is having a dramatic impact on ecosystems, human health, wildlife and the climate.

This guide provides background information on the issues arising from plastics use and practical advice for festival-goers on how to implement prevention strategies for positive long-term change.

We want a world free from single-use hazardous (or toxic) plastics for everyone, everywhere by 2030.

INTRO

DU

CTION

INTRODUCTION

What is this Guide and who is it for?

In this world it is truly awesome how lucky we are, yet we keep hurting the planet in ways nature could never have come up with...”

NEIL YOUNG, 2012

PLASTICS AT FESTIVALS

The vibe: Behavioural studies suggest that disposability can promote a lack of individual responsibility for the shared environment.

Image: Far beyond beach clean-ups, plastics have become a hot topic in the media and at EU policy level recently, with striking images of oceans full of plastic debris and rewards for inventions to remove plastics from the water.

2

What we are using and whyIn the temporary world of festivals, convenience is a crucial factor. The sale of large quantities of drinks quickly in a safe disposable plastic bottle or cup has become the norm. It is often perceived as the only practical option.

Many other products and promotional materials used on event sites are also made from plastics, and many waste management approaches focus almost entirely on recycling only.

Where we use plastics at festivals is fairly obvious. Eating, drinking and camping tend to be most prominent:

> Water and drinks bottles> Beer cups> Tents and Gazebos> Badges and Wristbands> Signage and stickers> Clothing> Festival Goods

The best way of dealing with waste is not to create any in the �rst place. AVOID, REDUCE, REUSE and lastly RECYCLE is essential guidance.

What are the problems? Litter: A signi�cant amount of waste thrown on the ground at festivals tends to be plastic pint cups and single-use plastic water bottles, creating a less desirable environment, and incurring cleaning costs.

Resources: All plastic pint cups, water and beverage bottles are manufactured from a non-renewable resource derived from oil.

Low recycling rates: Confusion about types of plastics, recycling methods and the availability of recycling facilities means that plastics and the use of bioplastics in particular, can often not be recycled at events.

Simple �rst-step solutions...

AVOID Aim to avoid using plastics which are most ecologically harmful and/or not recycleable.

Aim to avoid disposable plastic bottles and bring or buy your own reusable bottles.

REDUCE & REUSEUse reusable cups when possible. It is standard practice for events across Europe.

Reduce the number of tents left behind. Take yours home and reuse it.

RECYCLEEnsure you separate and recycle as many unavoidable plastics as possible.

FESTIVA

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3

PLASTIC - THE FACTS

Nothing better illustrates our throwaway lifestyle than plastic. The production, use and disposal of synthetic plastic is one of the most serious environmental and human health problems facing us today.

What’s the problem with Plastic? Studies of the oceans gyres have shown concentration of plastic to plankton at a ratio of 6:1”

CAPT. CHARLES MOORE

Be part of the SOLUTION

QUANTITY - Plastic is everywhere

Vast quantities of long-term plastic debris and particles litter all the world’s earth and oceans.

TOXICITY - polluting ecosystemsThe toxicity of plastic is causing wide-spread environmental damage and pollution throughout its life-cycle.

It is made from and transported using non-renewable fossil fuels (oil).

It contains hundreds of highly toxic persistent chemicals, damaging to both human health and the environment.

During use, many common plastics (e.g. PET water bottles) can leach toxic chemicals from the plastic into the water they contain, especially in the heat and even in normal conditions.

Millions of tonnes of plastic are broken down by sunlight into tiny microplastics that are widely dispersed in water.

These microplastics act like a sponge, attracting other toxins to them to extreme toxic levels, passing up the food chain contaminating entire ecosystems and our food.

PLASTIC-FREE FESTIVALS

4

One in six �sh in UK waters containplastics in their bodies

Explosive sales in plastic products with a short life span encourage waste on a vast scale.

Design for disposability has created a throw- away consumer culture, that is disconnected from the environmental consequences.

Plastics can take a minimum of 500 years to degrade. Ironically, when combined with a throwaway culture, this means that we are using plastic materials that are designed to last, for short-term use.

DISPOSABILITY - here today still here tomorrow...

You ain't gonna miss your water until your well runs dry"

BOB MARLEY, 1980

*

...not the POLLUTION!RECYLABILITY

The majority of plastics are buried in land�lls where chemicals can leach from the plastic into surrounding habitats and the water table.

Most recycled plastics are exported, often illegally, from Europe to Africa and Asia where burning waste in the open air is commonplace.

Reuse and recycling recovery systems are not keeping up with the sheer quantity of plastic produced.

The majority of recycling processes release toxic emissions or dust into the air and soil.

Plastics have revolutionised our world – but what do we really know about them?

PLASTIC FA

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5

Many, but not all, plastics have a code on the packaging. The two most commonly recycled plastics in the UK are PET (1) and HDPE (2). Many other plastics are not recycled and the current labelling system has no category for bioplastics.

Bioplastics compare favourably to traditional plastics because they may be made from renewable sources. However the infrastructure for collecting and reprocessing these materials is currently not established. Furthermore, the modern systems for separating plastics by type are not able to detect bioplastics easily, which causes contamination of otherwise good quality recycling.

Bioplastics vary widely in their base material and their ability (or inability) to biodegrade, and questions have also been raised over potentially harmful additives, colourants and plasticiers which are used to produce bioplastics.

Bisphenol A (BPA)-free plastics are often considered to be the safest option in terms of potential impact on human health. However new research raises concerns that BPA-free plastic products may release hazardous compounds after undergoing wear and tear, such as through dishwashing, microwaving, or exposure to sunlight.

Recycled PET (rPET) can be considered marginally better due to having been made from recycled materials

For Good or for Bad?

FOCUS: BOTTLED WATER Each year in the UK we drink 3bn litres of bottled water and 10bn bottles go to land�ll. Marketing obscures the fact that absurdly bottled water is at least 500 times the cost of tap water, and isn’t necessarily ‘healthier.’

PLASTIC FACTS

6

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE)

PET

10

Other (polycarbonate or ABS)

O

70

Polystyrene (PS)

PS

60

Polypropylene (PP)

PP

50

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

PE-LD

40

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

PVC

30

Water pipes, buckets, milk and juice bottles, washing-up liquid, shampoo, bath and shower gel bottles, bleach bottles and shopping bags.

PE-HD

20

Soft drink and water bottles, salad dressing bottles, cooking oil bottles, peanut butter and jam jars.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

Frozen food bags, squeezable bottles (e.g. mustard), carrier bags, bin liners, packaging �lms, cling �lm and �exible container lids.

Blister packaging (non-food items), cling �lms (non-food use) and children’s and pet’s toys. Pipes, �ttings, window and door frames (rigid), thermal insulation (foam) and electric cables.

Yogurt pots, margarine tubs, straws, crisp packets, microwaveable ware, kitchenware, take-away containers, disposable cups and plates. Nappies, carpet �bres and vehicle upholstery.

Egg cartons, packing peanuts, disposable cups, plates, trays and cutlery and disposable take-away containers.

Beverage bottles, baby milk bottles, CDs, glazing, electronic apparatus, lenses, glasses, headlamps, riot shields, aircraft glazing instrument panels.

TYPE NAME USE RECYCLED

SOME

* In 2011, the UK exported 70% of plastic packaging for reprocessing and downcycling, increasing the transport and energy associated with recycling.

* Source: WRAP and Valpak (2013) PlasFlow Report RReport

WHAT TYPES OF PLASTIC CAN BE RECYCLED IN THE UK?

PLASTIC FA

CTS

7

We must see the problems, we must think that in spite of every-thing, it is possible to solve these problems. We must find solutions." MANZINI, 2008

We hope to raise awareness and inspire action to reduce plastic consumption. If you are interested in a plastic-free future... THIS GUIDE IS FOR YOU!

* FESTIVAL SOLUTIONS

AVOID, REDUCE, REUSE and lastly RECYCLE. Beyond the simple �rst step solutions mentioned earlier in this guide consider what other plastic products you could eliminate or reduce.

FOOD AND DRINK

Avoid single use plastic bags and use reusable cloth bags or baskets.

Avoid polystyrene takeaway cups and food containers and use reusable or compostable* alternatives made from sustainably sourced paper, card or wood.

Avoid non-recyclable plastic straws and stirrers. If you must, use reusable stainless steel and wooden versions or paper if disposables are unavoidable.

Reduce single use plastic drinks bottles and buy cans instead. Decant spirits into metal bottles.

Reduce disposable plastic packaging. Buy food naked or use compostable packaging like paper, card or wood. If disposables are essential use bioplastics such as potato or corn starch.

Use bulk dispensing rather than sachets (e.g. sugar, spreads, milk, sauces, salt and pepper).

* This is di�erent to ‘biodegradable’ which is not advisable.

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEARAvoid synthetic clothing* and try quality garments made from organic cotton, ethically raised wool, hemp, linen and other plant-based materials. Vintage, charity or unbleached and naturally-dyed garments are preferable.

Reduce and reuse plastic shoes and �ip-�ops and consider replacing with leather, canvas or natural rubber alternatives.

Reduce and reuse plastic hats, gloves or sun glasses and replace with cotton, wool, felt and metal, wooden or plant-based eyewear.

Reduce cheap plastic festival goods, badges or wristbands and choose natural or locally made items.

WATER

Avoid single use plastic water bottles and use reusable water bottles and cups. Bring your own or buy a 100% stainless steel alternative.

Re�ll your water bottle at tap points, water kiosks and fountains on site.

Encourage friends to do the same.

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Avoid plastic baby bottles or cups and bring or buy 100% stainless steel alternatives.

Avoid disposable plastic nappies and consider organic cotton, wool, felt, hemp and bamboo or cloth nappies. Use compostable baby wipes.

Avoid plastic teethers and use wooden teethers if necessary.

CHILDREN

*

Reduce single use plastic personal care and hygiene products (liquid soap, shower gel, shampoo, condi-tioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorants, cosmetics and facial wipes, shaving gel and razors).

Decant shower gel, shampoo and conditioner from bulk dispensers if possible. Use soap bars, try deodorant bars and keep in a handy metal box.

Consider toothbrushes made from wood or bamboo with natural bristles and tooth paste, powder or tabs.

Reduce cosmetics containing plastic microbeads and consider natural plant-based alternatives.

Reduce facial wipes and ear buds and use organic cotton wool or reuse a strong organic cotton facecloth.

Reduce plastic sanitary products and switch to biodegradable and compostable plastic-free sanitary pads, tampons, liners and wipes, such as Natracare, made from totally chlorine-free organic cotton and natural materials.

Reuse razors and blades made from metal and try shaving soap.

PERSONAL CARE

Avoid or reuse cheap polyester plastic tents, gazebos or windbreaks and replace with natural unbleached or naturally-dyed canvas or cotton materials.

Avoid plastic tent pegs and use durable metal ones, or those made from biodegradable potato starch.

Avoid plastic lighters and ashtrays and use re�llable lighters and metal, glass or wooden ashtrays.

Reuse or phase out synthetic sleeping bags, roll mats and back-packs and replace with cotton, canvas, natural rubber or PVC-free alternatives.

Reuse and phase out plastic tables and chairs and table cloths. As they wear out, replace with wood, metal or canvas.

Reduce and reuse te�on-coated plastic pots and pans and switch to non-coated pots and pans and wood or metal utensils for cooking.

Reduce and reuse plastic foodware (plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, dishes and containers) and replace with reusable glass, steel or ceramics.

Reduce and reuse all plastic �ags, banners and signs and switch to cotton, wood, slate, metal or PVC-free and eco-foam board alternatives.

CAMPING

SO

LUTIO

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9

What’s the best type of drinking water bottle?

* Source: Hammond, G. and Jones, C. (2011) The Inventory of Carbon and Energy

WHATS THE BEST TYPE OF DRINKING WATER BOTTLE?

STAINLESS STEEL

Toxic-Free

Highest Re-use

Most Durable

MinmalTaste/odour

Dishwasher safe

Least Embodied energy (MJ/kg) *

Least EnergyIntensive (GJ/t)

100%Recyclable

ALUMINIUM

100%Recyclable Durable but may dent

10

SHAMBALA FESTIVAL – Bring a Bottle Campaign

To help this initiative work, it was important to make it easier for customers to get fresh clean water by installing more taps across the site. The charity FRANK Water provided free chilled �ltered water on all the bars and quality reusable bottles were sold to those that forgot to bring a bottle.

What they didIn 2013, Shambala Festival banned the sale of bottled water and asked all festival - goers, sta� and artists to bring their own reusable bottles to the event.

THE RESULTS

Circa 10,000 plastic water bottles were prevented from being used once and thrown away or recycled.

The festival site was remarkably cleaner as a direct result, with 40% less waste on the ground.

Sta�ng required to litter pick is being reduced in 2014.

The total weight and volume of festival waste was reduced as a result of eliminating plastic disposables.

The audience feedback on the Bring a Bottle initiatives was overwhelmingly positive, with 93% of respondents to a survey saying they “understood the reasons for the campaign and thought it was a good idea.”

10% of the audience purchased a branded water bottle, generating revenue.

The initiative was at cost-neutral to the festival overall.

*

CASE STU

DIES

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*GLOSSARYAdditivesAdditives are materials that are added to a polymer to produce a desired change in material properties or characteristics. A wide variety of additives are currently used in thermoplastics, to expand or extend material properties, enhance processability, modify aesthetics, or increase environmental resistance. Additives enhance properties like �ame retardancy and UV light stability.

Brominated Flame Retardents (BFRs ) are persistent organic compounds integrated into potentially �ammable materials such as plastics, rubbers and textiles to reduce combustion.

DioxinsDioxins are a group of chemically-related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants. They are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and cause cancer.

DowncyclingDowncycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products that are of lesser quality and reduced functionality.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)HDPE has a higher density and chemical resistance than LDPE. HDPE is also harder, more opaque and brittle and can withstand higher temperatures. Among the contaminants to potentially migrate from HDPE into stored materials are antioxidants, including nonylphenol, an endocrine-disrupting compound used both as an antioxidant and as a plasticiser.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)LDPE is not as strong as HDPE and has a lower density and melting point than HDPE. It has good chemical resistance but is prone to cracking and has poor UV resistance and barrier properties, except to water.

Microplastics Microplastics can be made from polyethylene, polyethylene terephtha-late, PVC or polystyrene. They are too small to be captured through existing wastewater treatment process, and wash straight into the ocean. They fall into three categories: the raw material called ‘nurdles‘ that are melted down to make larger plastic items or used as exfoliating beads in cosmetic products, or larger pieces of plastic that have degraded and broken down into smaller particles over time.

MonomerA monomer is the molecular unit from which polymers are made.

PhthalatesPhthalates are a group of chemicals widely used as plasticisers (softeners) in a vast range of plastic products including food packaging and food containers, toys, personal care products, cosmetics, adhesives, paints, medical equipment and PVC. These chemicals are not chemi-cally bound to the plastic, and are able to migrate out of the material over time. Some widely used phthalates are known to disrupt reproduction, capable of causing changes to both male and female reproductive systems and birth defects during critical periods of development. A report in 2012 by the European Union highlights risks related to phthalates, and in particular the use of DEHP in PVC medical devices, states that blood bags made of DEHP-plasticised PVC are a signi�cant risk to human health.

PlasticiserA softener incorporated (usually a plastic or an elastomer) to increase �exibility, workability or extensibility, such as food containers, which can release phthalates into your food.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)PET is a plastic resin and the most common type of plastic. Plasticisers are not required in PET for softening, but this polymer may contain additives. Although it does not represent many contaminants, reports have indicated that leaching of plastics’ components into beverages from PET can occur.

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PolymerA polymer is a molecular chain formed by combining many smaller molecules. Polymers are the product of a reaction called polymerization, the process of connecting many (poly) single units (mers or mono-mers) to form long chain molecules of higher molecular weight. All plastic resins or materials are polymeric in nature.

PolymerizationThe process of converting a monomer or a mixture of monomers into a polymer.

Polypropylene (PP)Polypropylene is rugged and unusually resistant to many chemical solvents, bases and acids. In 2008, researchers in Canada identi�ed families of PP compounds that had contaminated their labware and experimental results. They further demonstrated that the compounds interacted biologically with, and changed the behaviour of, human enzymes and brain receptors.

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Raul C. and eco2win AB (2012) Life Cycle Assessment, LCA, of PVC Blood Bagwww.pvcfreebloodbag.eu/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&Itemid=146&gid=44

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McDonald, G. et al. (2008) Bioactive Contaminants Leach from Disposable Laboratory Plasticware, Science 322,

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Polystyrene (PS)Polystyrene is lightweight and aerody-namic, so it is easily blown into gutters and drains even when properly disposed of. Polystyrene is also very brittle and quickly breaks into small pieces making it impossible to clean up. It is a serious source of marine debris pollution and kills marine wildlife because it mimics food and causes starvation or choking if ingested.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PV/PVC)PVC (often referred to as the ‘Poison Plastic’) is the third-most widely produced plastic after PET and PP. PVC contains high levels of chlorine, carbon and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) which is explosive, highly toxic and carcinogenic. During the production of PVC, dioxins are created and released. PVC is made softer and more �exible by the addition of plasticisers, the most widely used being phthalates. Attempts to recycle PVC have proven di�cult - so much of it ends up in land�lls. It is the single most environmentally damaging

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Source: Surfrider Foundation and Rise Above Plastics

of all plastics. PVC can be found in packaging, electronics, imitation leather, �ooring and more.

StabilizerA substance used in the formulation of plastics to help maintain the prop-erties of the material during process-ing and service life on certain types of plastic.

Virgin MaterialA material that has not been previously used or consumed, or subjected to processing other than for its original production.

Source: Trashed, Blenheim Films 2102

Making Waves is published by Raw Foundation, a Not For Pro�t committed to raising awareness about the hidden consequences of our everyday stu�, in partnership with Kambe Events, a sustain-able event management consultancy, as a free resource.

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VIDEOS

The Story of Stu�http://storyofstu�.org/movies/story-of-stu�/

The Story of Bottled Waterwww.storyofstu�.org/movies-all/story-of-bottled-water/

Sir David Attenborough: Plastic Oceanwww.youtube.com/watch?v=c7MtuG2I_f0

Charles Moore: Seas of plastic www.ted.com/talks/capt_charles_moore_on_the_seas_of_plastic

Charles Moore: Synthetic Sea 2010 www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7j2UydgbQo

Chris Jordan: Pictures some shocking statshttp://www.ted.com/talks/chris_jordan_pictures_some_shocking_stats

Chris Jordan: Polluting Plasticswww.youtube.com/watch?v=pGl62LuQask

Chris Jordan: Midwaywww.youtube.com/watch?v=PLkTTJW4xZs

Ellen Macarthur Foundation: The Circular Economywww.youtube.com/watch?v=zCRKvDyyHmI

Sylvia Earle: Protect our oceanswww.ted.com/talks/sylvia_earle_s_ted_prize_wish_to_protect_our_oceans

> FIND OUT MORE William McDonough: Cradle to Cradle www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoRjz8iTVoo&feature=related

FILMSTrashed (2012)An award winning �lm by Blenheim Films with Jeremy Irons. www.trashed�lm.com/

BOOKSWatson, M. (2009) ‘Materials Awareness’ in A. Stibe (ed) (2009) The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy: skills for a chang-ing world. Totnes: Green Books.http://arts.brighton.ac.uk/stibbe-handbook-of-sustainability/chapters

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CONTACTS >

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