By 2021, single-use plastic will be a thing of the past for Download, Latitude, Leeds, Reading, and Wireless festivals, according to organizer Live Nation. The event promotion giant recently announced that it would phase out single-use plastics at the five UK-based events, in a long-term plan to make Live Nation events more environmentally sustainable. Single-use bottles, straws, and toiletries will consequently be removed from Live Nation events in near future, beginning with five of the UK’s most recognizable festival brands. The company also intends to ban glitter and cable ties.
The green initiative is one small step in Live Nation’s larger plan to make all Live Nation venues zero-waste by 2030. The company also aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the same year.
“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,” said Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation Entertainment. “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.”
Live Nation is not the first to strive for a more environmentally conscious live music experience moving forward; Glastonbury notably eliminated plastic bottles from its 2019 iteration.
Source: dancingastronaut.com
