Top 8 Green Festivals announced

United Kingdom | | 30 August 2007

The environmental pressure website, A Greener Festival, has lifted the lid on the most eco-sound UK festivals of 2007.

Eight festivals have met the group's 26 green steps to help reduce their environmental impact, which include issues of waste management, noise pollution, traffic and CO2 emissions.

The green leaders are Big Green Gathering, Big Session Festival, Edinburgh Film Festival, Glade, Glastonbury Festival, Latitude, Summer Sundae Weekender and Sunrise Celebration.

An overall winner will be announced at the UK Festival Awards in November.

Download was commended as the 'Most Improved Festival' of 2007, recognising its efforts to move from a particularly ‘un-green’ event in 2006 towards a far more sustainable model.

Bonnaroo in the USA and Peats Ridge in Australia both won international awards for their enviromental efforts.

A Greener Festival says that all festivals should follow a policy of ‘Leave No Trace’ and is hoping to encourage a greater focus across the board in 2008.

Co-founder Claire O'Neill said: "Abandoned tents were a major problem in 2007. This year's rain and mud at many festivals coupled with tents selling for under £10 meant that many festival goers left behind their accommodation - with even the most organised festivals struggling to deal with thousands and thousands of tents.”

She said that other issues are pollution and the carbon footprint from private cars at festivals. Find out more about A Greener Festival here.