Greening Efforts

The Festival Eco-Spirit and You

Love the Music. Love the Park. Love the Planet. Join us by doing your part for the environment in all phases of the festival experience and in your daily life throughout the year. There's simple steps you can take that will add up to a huge impact. Here's some ideas. How will you get to the Festival? Consider travel options such as biking in, taking the festival shuttle, using public transportation, carpooling, walking, etc. Consider buying carbon offsets ($5) either as part of the ticket buying process or visit Green Mountain's kiosk to purchase carbon offsets at the Festival. Reduce the number of water bottles generated by refilling from free water fountains at the park.

Click here for a list of tips to green your life and become more involved in Austin's environmental community.

This election year more than ever, we need to choose political leaders that stand for the environment and have the power to take positive actions for our generation and generations to come. Visit Rock the Vote's tent to register to vote and let your voice be heard on election day. You can register online now by clicking on the RTV icon in the "More Stuff" section of this website.)

Recycle.
While at the Festival, do your part to help recycle and help us reduce what ends up as landfill. Throw your recyclables and trash in the right containers. Throughout the park you'll find recycling containers and we have a team of volunteers devoted to the cause. Also, check out the Recycling Center, where you can earn special Festival swag for returning recyclables collected at the Festival.

Don't forget cigarette butts are litter, too, and have a very real negative impact on the environment. Bring a personal ashtray and think twice before tossing that butt onto the park grounds.

Our Greening Efforts
The Festival is a carbon neutral event thanks to the assistance of Green Mountain Energy. Here are some things we're doing in all parts of the Festival to lighten the Festival's environmental impact.

Energy
We are running biodiesel in every generator and light tower on festival grounds. This not only improves air quality by reducing carbon monoxide emissions, particulate matter emissions, and other carcinogens, but they also run a lot quieter.

Food
In addition to using more organic, locally grown choices by backstage catering ops and "Austin Eats" food vendors, we require all food to be served on paper or compostable plates. To lessen waste, we do not allow vendors to give out "picnic packs", encourage hand-held food choices and require all food areas to use toxic-free cleansers. And just so you know, Styrofoam is banned throughout the festival.

Drink
We will focus major efforts in recycling those containers you use for liquid refreshment such as water bottles. Check back for more details.

Merchandise
We are offering several organic and sustainable goods in the store. We're using biodegradable bags instead of plastic. Volunteer T's will be totally organic, too.

Paper
From TP and food napkins to marketing materials - we're using recycled paper all around. We're also recycling cardboard and replacing portalet paper towels with hand sanitizer.

Waste
With the help of our vendors and non-profit partners, we've banned the distribution of promotional paper handouts on festival grounds.

Sponsors
All have pledged enthusiastic support. For example, Blackstone Wine cups will be biodegradable, as will the iTunes free download cards. And not one of our sponsors will be handing out paper promotional items.

Corporate Office
In addition to recycled paper, non-toxic cleansers, and battery and printer cartridge recycling, we're working with Green Mountain to make our office 100% carbon neutral.

Bottom Line
You get the idea. We're committed to improving our environment and finding more ways to do our part. And if we can contribute great music experiences along the way, the journey will be that much more rewarding.