Agreenerfestival.com, the website established earlier this year to champion environmentally friendly practices in the live music sector, have announced the recipients of the first ever Greener Festival Awards, events that adhere to the organisation's 'Leave No Trace' policy.
The festivals fulfilling the criteria for that award in 2007 are: Leicester Summer Sundae Weekender, Edinburgh Film Festival, Latitude Festival, Glastonbury Festival and, perhaps unsurprisingly, the Big Green Gathering. In addition, Live Nation's Download Festival was commended as the 'Most Improved' festival which, while not on the same level as the other winners, had made considerable achievements between 2006 and 2007 in making the event greener.
Commenting on the environmental impact of 2007's music festivals, Agreenerfestival.com's co-founder Clare O'Neill told reporters: "Abandoned tents were a major problem in 2007. This year's rain and mud at many festivals coupled with tents selling for under £10 meant that many festival goers left behind their accommodation - with even the most organised festivals struggling to deal with thousands and thousands of tents".
She continued: "A number of festivals trialed bio-diesel this year but there are continuing concerns about unsustainable palm oil plantations. Other issues are pollution and the carbon footprint from private cars at festivals - we are keen to push public transport and car sharing, and hope to see more local produce/suppliers being used by events in 2008, not only to reduce mileage but to help benefit local economies".