Waste generated at major events and venues across Australia is a vast and growing problem. Not only is the sea of plastic on festival floors, overflowing bins, and trashed campsites downright ugly, it's having a devastating impact on our environment. Around the world, one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, and 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used each year. Most ends up in landfill or, worse still, our waterways, leaching toxic pollution. Using our convening power, we have brought together industry leaders and launched innovative campaigns to eliminate waste streams and promote reusable alternatives.

Now, more than 3 million plastic bottles and cups have been avoided and over 40 music festivals are now committed to working together to reduce their waste output in our Party with the Planet alliance. This is just the start. Cutting waste in the music sector and moving to a circular economy will have far-reaching impacts. Picture food and beverages served on 100% reusable containers and then washed on site – and the message that sends to audiences. Imagine all music venues and festivals banning plastic water bottles and providing refilling stations for reusable bottles – teaching people to bring their own bottle. Consider the impact on fans if bands’ merchandise becomes plastic-free, organic and fair trade. We all need to find ways of coming together that heal rather than harm the environment. 

Join the Alliance by contacting us.

What we've done so far:

• United 10 of Australia’s biggest music festivals to tackle the vast and growing problem of single-use plastic waste.
• Festival alliance includes Beyond the Valley, Falls Festival, Rainbow Festival and Splendour in the Grass.
• A campsite rental program was successfully piloted at Strawberry Fields and Falls Festival with partners Clunes Outdoors. 137 tents and marquees were hired out with an average return rate of 98 per cent. A further 128 abandoned items were salvaged from the campgrounds, saving the equivalent of 1,120,000 plastic straws from landfill.
• Launched a coordinated marketing campaign featuring popular acts Hilltop Hoods, Matt Corby and The Veronicas, engaging over 120,000 music lovers.
• Undertook a major research project, involving 880 festival-goers at Unify Gathering, Party in the Paddock and Falls Festival. Behavioural insights gained helped inform the campaigns.

Read our case studies & research:

• Reusables are still safe to use during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Righteous Reusables at Island Vibe 2019
  
• Rewash Revolution: Strawberry Fields 2019
  
• WOMADelaide's successful switch to reusables
• Bettercup's reusable cups are better than compostable!
• Report - Cleaner Campsites Festival Research

We are incredibly excited to support and be a part of the Party with the Planet campaign and initiative driven by Green Music Australia. As festival organisers, we are passionate about achieving positive outcomes and helping shift behaviour to provide greater long-term benefits around sustainability at our festivals and beyond. We applaud the efforts of Green Music Australia in bringing together the industry and music lovers alike through the Party with the Planet campaign that focuses on creating change in a fun and meaningful way.
Elise Huntley, Managing Director Festivals, Secret Sounds Group (Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival)