Stuart WoodA number of high-profile events have announced a ban on single-use plastic, and a push for renewable energy, following a European Union policy change.
Glastonbury Festival 2019 will prohibit single-use plastics from sale, as well as from being used backstage, in the production team, in catering and in the dressing room areas.
Organiser Emily Eavis encouraged ticket-holders to bring reusable bottles and said “hundreds of free water taps” would be available. At the 2017 edition of Glastonbury, more than one million plastic bottles were sold.
The festival recently announced its 2019 lineup, headlined by The Killers, The Cure, Stormzy, Kylie Minogue and Tame Impala.
Organisers of Brighton Marathon have also stated they plan to significantly reduce the amount of single-use plastic at the event.
As one of the UK’s largest marathons, with 18,000 participants, 150,000 spectators and 2,500 event staff, the organisers have already introduced digital instructions and registration forms in a bid to remove printed material and improve the event’s sustainability.
Live venues have also moved in the same direction, with London’s Barbican announcing in February a move to 100% renewable electricity.