Sidmouth Folk Festival introduces new measures to protect the environment

In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of Sidmouth Folk Festival new green measures, including the introduction of reusable souvenir drinks cups, have been announced.

The festival has been taking measures to reduce its impact on the environment since 2013, with new schemes being introduced every year.

New to the festival this year are reusable souvenir drinks cups, water refill points at a number of festival locations, no single use plastics being used at food stands and a continuing commitment to send as little waste as possible to landfill.

Festival Director, John Braithwaite, explained: "This year will see the introduction of reusable souvenir drinks cups at our bars, no single use plastics at our catering stands and zero waste to land fill through our new waste management system.

"Why not bring your own reusable drinks bottle and use our Water Refill Points. These are located at The Ham, the Market Square, on the side of the market building towards the town, in the 'arches' on the seafront, at the western end of the Esplanade, below the Cricket Ground, at the Campsite and at The Bulverton, in the garden area.

"These are just some of the initiatives we are implementing as we continue to reduce our reliance on single use plastics and to make the festival a more environmentally sustainable event."

From using energy efficient lighting and sound systems in festival venues to working alongside a local waste contractor focused on a reduce, reuse, recycle model of waste management shows the festival takes its environmental standards seriously.

Many of the festival's suppliers are sourced as locally as possible to reduce travel for deliveries and collection.

The Sidmouth Folk Festival has a dedicated team on site from the start of the event right through to the end working to provide additional waste bins, litter picks and generally ensuring that the town looks its best throughout the event.

The festival provides more than 120 additional bins across its venues to ensure everyone can deposit their litter responsibly.

All the festival's bins accept different formats of waste, this is then sorted off site to reclaim items that can be recovered and recycled.

This has led to a huge reduction in what is sent to landfill, with approximately 95% being recovered and recycled.

The festival gets underway with a pre-festival special concert by hit-making Geordie folk-rockers Lindisfarne on Thursday, August 1, followed by the legendary Ralph McTell on the afternoon of Friday, August 2.

Sidmouth Folk Festival officially begins on Friday, August 2, and ends on Friday, August 9.

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