With festival season in full swing, it’s time to address the inevitable issue of litter and waste left behind by festival-goers. With thousands of people attending these events, organisers, landowners, and attendees must know their responsibilities regarding keeping festival sites clean and minimising environmental impact.
Music festivals are a beloved part of the British summer but can have a high environmental cost. UK festivals produce a staggering 23,500 tonnes of waste each year, including 10 million plastic bottles[i]; only 32 per cent of this waste is recycled[ii].
This waste includes food containers, drink cups, and even abandoned tents, which damage the environment and pose a considerable clean-up challenge for organisers and landowners.
The responsibility for managing and cleaning up festival waste often falls on both landowners and event organisers. Landowners may face legal repercussions or damage to their property if the festival site isn’t properly cleaned up. At the same time, event organisers risk damaging their reputation, future bookings, and potential fines for failing to manage waste effectively.
In some cases, disputes may arise between landowners and event organisers regarding the clean-up process, which can result in lengthy and costly legal battles. To avoid such conflicts, clear communication and collaboration between both parties are essential from the early planning stages of the event.
Festival litter and waste management is covered by various regulations and pieces of legislation in England and Wales. The Environmental Protection Act of 1990 serves as the foundation of environmental law. Under Section 89, event organisers and landowners are responsible for keeping their land clear of litter and refuse. Failure to do so can lead to fines and enforcement action.
The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 implemented the European Union’s Waste Framework Directive in England and Wales, outlining requirements for waste management. These require that event organisers ensure adequate systems are in place for waste collection, disposal, and recycling. Non-compliance can also result in penalties and fines. Although these regulations are still in the process of handover to new post-Brexit UK statute, it’s wise to be mindful of their guidance in the interim.
Event organisers must also consider the duty of care regulations outlined in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 34) when dealing with waste disposal. This duty of care requires anyone handling waste to take reasonable steps to ensure proper management, from collection to final disposal or recycling. Failure to comply can result in prosecution and fines.
Failing to address the issue of festival litter can have other severe consequences for event organisers. The financial cost of cleaning up after a poorly managed event can be substantial, and the damage to the organiser’s reputation can be irreparable. Furthermore, the environmental impact of uncontrolled waste may harm the local ecosystem and wildlife, causing long-lasting damage.
Event organisers can avoid these issues and ensure their festival is an enjoyable experience for all, while minimising the environmental impact, by working with a professional waste clearance team.
Michael Knibbs, Managing Director at SafeSite Security Solutions, comments: “Don’t let the issue of festival clear-up overshadow the joy and excitement of your event. Festivals should be an enjoyable time for everyone involved. Avoid the bitter environmental, legal, and financial consequences of a poorly planned litter clearance by working with a professional waste clearance team.”