AD Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 BONNAROO MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AGGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES FOR 2008CLEANER FUELS AND EMISSION REDUCTION CREDITS MAKE BONNAROO A CARBON NEUTRAL EVENTNEW EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS HELP PATRONS REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT BY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF POUNDSThe Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is proud to announce large scalegreening initiatives for its 2008 event, set to take place June 12-15in Manchester, TN. Festival organizers continue to take aggressivesteps toward mitigating the event's environmental impact and raisingawareness about green issues. By focusing on drastic carbon reductionat the festival and in the lives of its patrons, Bonnaroo continues itslong time commitment to providing a first-rate entertainment experiencewhile creating a community that cares for our planet. Clean energyinitiatives, responsible product consumption, superior wastemanagement, local sourcing and education programs are all part of thefestival's aggressive environmental plan outlined below. "We worktirelessly to reduce the impact this festival has on the environment,"says Bonnaroo sustainability coordinator Laura Sohn, "and we inspirethe Bonnaroo community to do the same."In partnership with theClean Air Conservancy, Bonnaroo will buy enough carbon reductioncredits to offset all emissions, making the festival a carbon neutralevent. Attendees will be encouraged to enhance the effort by purchasing"Clif Cool Tags" wind energy credits to make up for emissions producedby their travel. The festival is also running a carpooling contestoffering a chance to win VIP camping upgrades to vehicles with four ormore people. To fight global warming throughout the year, Bonnaroowelcomes Carbon Shredders on site to help fans track their personalcarbon reduction. Fans will be invited to make a pledge to reduce theirenergy usage and carbon footprint by 10 percent by 2010, a shift thatwill keep hundreds of millions of pounds of CO2 out of Earth'satmosphere.As always, Bonnaroo will run an extensive recyclingand composting program in partnership with Clean Vibes, an organizationthat has diverted 50 percent of the festival's waste from landfillsover the past two years. This year, the festival will start a compostprocessing site right on the festival property, which will eventuallybe used to nurture new life on the grounds. "With no offsite hauling,we can reduce fuel consumption and close the loop on the festival'sbiodegradable waste cycle," says Clean Vibes owner Anna Borofsky.Bonnaroo2008 brings back the popular Planet Roo village, an area dedicated topreserving the environment and promoting healthy living. Non-profitorganizations, eco-friendly vendors and performers will gather toeducate patrons about what they can do to protect their own health aswell as the planet's. Fans who stop by Planet Roo will have the chanceto learn about alternative fuels and energy sources, eat organic foodat a waste-free restaurant and hear festival artists discuss topicsrelated to the theme "Social Change Through Music." Representativesfrom dozens of organizations such as Rock the Earth, Headcount, FarmAid, and Oxfam will interact with fans and artists to raise awarenessabout environmental and political issues. Recognizing thatgreen issues are of paramount importance to the organization, itspatrons, and the world at large, Bonnaroo is proud to present an eventthat is not only a good time, but also an example of an environmentallysound gathering that helps our planet remain hospitable to life.Bonnaroo 2008 Greening Initiatives:PRODUCT CONSUMPTION:Concession food served with biodegradable wraps, plates, cups and cutlery manufactured from renewable resourcesPresenting a full line of organic cotton t-shirtsUsing tree-free postersUsing post-consumer recycled toilet paper for portoletsUsing 100% recycled paper (30% post-consumer) for all of the program and administrative needsUse of VOC-free paint will eliminate 1,260 lbs of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissionsAll wood stakes and lumber used on-site are logged and milled locallyWhenever possible, recycled lumber, FSC lumber, and CF light bulbs are used on siteAll horse food (15,000 lbs of hay) is purchased from local farmersHorse manure is donated back to local farmersEncouraging food vendors to source their produce and meat from local farmersReducing the use of Velon, a petroleum-based material used to decorate the tents, from 100% to 30%Recycle or reuse 100% of Velon70% of tent decorations are linens that we reuse each year50% of the furniture on site is purchased from hotel liquidators and reused each yearSourcing as many decoration materials, from carpets to mirrors tofurniture, as possible from second hand or used sources as possibleUsing earth friendly cleaning products to clean furnitureFestival golf cart pool reducing number of golf carts by 25%EDUCATION AND OUTREACHHired year-round greening and sustainability coordinator.Included a greening handbook as part of the employee manual includingfestival purchasing policies and greening tips for staff. This isdistributed via email to all staff.Planet Roo eco and social activism village dedicated to promoting socially responsible lifestylesCreated "Green Pod" in the campground as a hub for basic needs andinformation where we feature social mission entities and green orecological organizations as an extension of Planet Roo. Planet Roo Ambassadors share the festival's greening mission withattendees and assist with general information and support. Ambassadorshelp Bonnarao attendees learn more about what we each can do in ourlives and businesses to reduce pollution and become more efficient inour daily practices.Waste-free café in Planet RooDozens of non-profit organizations on site, many focusing on the environment and natural resourcesSocial change documentary tent showing features and shorts about sustainable livingSilent Auction with funds going to a number of worthy charitable causes"The Academy" featuring lectures, art projects, etc. about environmental and sustainability issuesSolar Stage powered entirely by solar panelsSocial Change Through Music panels at the Solar StageYoga and dance classes at the Solar Stage and at the Academy in Planet RooFACTS FROM BONNAROO 2007:Over 50% of waste diverted from land fills60% of festival waste recycled or composted:Total waste recycled: 94,340lbs / 47.17 tonsTotal food waste and biodegradable products composted: 20,600lbs / 10.3 tonsTotal waste sent to WastAway: 600,400lbs / 300.2 tonsTotal waste diverted from the landfill: 574,160 pounds / 287.08 tons Eliminated 200,000 pieces of paper by reducing the three-page letter to ticket buyers to a half-page letterImplemented paperless ticket request system67% of the festival's diesel consumption was locally sourced bio-diesel.Offset festival emissions through Bonneville Environmental FoundationAttendees encouraged to purchase energy credits to offset their emissions for travel to the festival90 security horses used on site, replacing 12 security vehiclesIncorporated alternative fuel vehicles into the festival rental transportation fleet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted June 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 Nobody likes my fancy formatting, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevO Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 You did all that yourself?Go Bonnaroo! Good on 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted June 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 I did the formatting for posting it here!! Bonnaroo did the writing and press releasing. I was debating in my head what I'd rather do - take care of the horse manure or listen to Jack Johnson's set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phorbesie Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 I was debating in my head what I'd rather do - take care of the horse manure or listen to Jack Johnson's set. and? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted June 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 I made good points for both sides. Turns out I'm evenly matched with myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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