Glastonbury urge festival-goers to “leave no trace” and “only bring sturdy camping equipment”

19 June, 2024

Glastonbury Festival 2023

Organisers of Glastonbury Festival have issued a statement to this years’ attendees, encouraging them to think carefully about the camping equipment they bring with them.

In the past decade, Glastonbury has become more vigilant in their attempts to reduce the 2,000 tonnes of waste produced annually at the festival, which is held annually at Worth Farm. This year, they’re asking festival-goers to bring “sturdy camping equipment” that can be taken home and reused.

“Love the farm, leave no trace,” organisers said. “If you are coming to Glastonbury 2024, please remember to only bring sturdy camping equipment that you can take home again and reuse. In 2023, 98 per cent of all tents were taken home. Let’s see if we can beat that this year.”

They’re also asking attendees to consider taking the train to this years’ festival to reduce carbon emissions.

Glastonbury returns next week from June 26 to 30, with Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA set to headline. Other confirmed acts include Shania Twain, LCD Soundsystem, Little Simz, The National, Avril Lavigne, The Last Dinner Party, Jungle, Justice, Bloc Party, Fontaines D.C., Yard Act, Arlo Parks and Gossip. Check out the full line-up and stage times here.

 

In recent years, Glastonbury has cut down on waste by issuing new rules for attendees. 2019 saw the introduction of a ban on the sale of plastic bottles, and only compostable or reusable plates, cutlery and straws are permitted. So far, these measures have been a success, with organisers reporting a decrease in waste left on the grounds in the past 10 years.

The ‘Leave No Trace’ mantra has been adopted by multiple festivals in recent years, following a growing awareness of the climate crisis. Denmark’s Roskilde Festival has dedicated an entire campsite to the concept, encouraging campers to suggest innovative ways to introduce sustainability to their experience in their application to stay in the area.

In 2018, NME spoke to the festival staff responsible for cleaning up after attendees. Molly, one Glastonbury volunteer, described finding “yurt candles, camping chairs and booze that people had abandoned”. She added that the funniest thing she found was “a series of inflatable fat suits that had been personalised to look like One Direction”.

Emily Eavis recently told BBC’s Sidetracked podcast that Glastonbury is likely to take a year off in 2026 in order to give the land a rest and allow the cows that live on the farm to reclaim their habitat.

“I think it’s important, I think it gives everybody time to just switch off and the public as well,” she said. “Then you kind of go away for a bit and it feels lovely when you come back. And I think it’s quite good not to be seen to be cashing in.”

If you weren’t able to secure a ticket this time, the BBC have outlined their plans for television, radio and online coverage.

Meanwhile, early Glastonbury weather forecasts predict potentially mixed conditions for the Somerset festival.

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