The worlds largests concert promoter Live Nation has said it will be eliminating single use plastics at its venues and festivals by 2021.
In the UK this means festivals such as Leeds and Readings, Wireless and Download will be going plastic free. This plan is part of a push to have zero waste at Live Nation’s Clubs, concerts and venues by 2030.
This vow comes after festivals such as Glastonbury and Bestival vowed to cut out plastic waste. Glastonbury has announced it will not sell single-use plastic water bottles this year after its concerns about the impact on the environment.
Kendal Calling, Bestival and Boardmasters were among 61 festivals who have signed up to the “drastic on plastic” proposal last year, this is a vow to stop having single use plastic on their sites by 2021.
This week the government announced the new restrictions around the sale of plastic straws, plastic drinks stirrers and plastic cotton buds which will take place in April 2020.
The Live Nation’s commitment will affect around 20 UK festivals and over 20 venues.
Some examples of single use plastic items include:
- Plastic drinks bottles
- Plastic straws
- Glitter
- Plastic food trays
- Cable ties
- Toiletry bottles (hand-wash, shower gel, etc)
Live Nation will be trailing plant-based water bottles across Europe in 2019. It has also launched a set of sustainability goals which including targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and a zero waste to landfill by 2030.
Michael Rapino, president of Live Nation Entertainment said: “Hosting over 35,000 concerts and festivals each year, Live Nation has the opportunity and responsibility to provide our artists and fans with a live music experience that protects our planet,”
He added: “The adverse effects of climate change are undeniable, and we want to use our place on the world stage to be part of the solution. Together our concerts, venues, festivals, and offices around the world are setting new sustainability standards for live events.”
