Green Your Festivals
Festival season is almost upon us!
Festival season is fast approaching and while there is so much to think about, making your festival or event sustainable has many benefits.
To help festivals and events become more sustainable we have outlined some practical steps to help you get started and eliminate much of the unnecessary waste. Many of these steps were implemented by festivals all over Cork County in the last number of years.
We also have a Green Festival Toolkit on our website to help festival organisers implement waste reduction initiatives at their events.
Here are some practical steps to help you make your event more sustainable!
Segregated Waste Stations
Consider having Segregated Waste Stations at your event to to improve recycling and reduce contamination. Better still get some volunteers to monitor the bin stations and engage with people to help them understand where their waste should go.
A great example is the impactful segregated waste stations at the Cork Summer Show in 2024 where they used the MyWaste.ie signage on their bins and their staff engaged with the public to help them understand where to place their rubbish.
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Mobile Water Refill Truck
Consider having a mobile water refill truck for your event/festival bringing 1000's of litres of filtered water to event goers. This eliminates the need to sell bottled water, instead advertising in advance for people to bring their reusable bottles. It is a popular stand at all events
Busking in the Woods in Castlemartyr hired one in 2024 and were delighted with the uptake and the elimination of over 300 single use plastic bottles.
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Reusable Cup Scheme
Instead of using 100's or 1000's of disposable cups, you could rent reusable cups for your festival or event. These cups are washed and stored and reused over and over again at other events/festivals throughout the country.
Balllymaloe Festival of Food implemented the Reusable Cup Scheme in 2024 and as a result eliminated over 4,000 single use plastic cups. Click on the image to watch the video.
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Mobile Hydration Stations
Ideal for sporting events or events that cover a large area, these mobile hydration stations come prefilled with filtered water and can be set up around your festival or event.
To get the most out of the mobile hydration stations, event organisers need to promote the offering in advance and encourage attendees to bring their reusable water bottles.
Rowing Ireland have used them for the last two years and have found them very beneficial as they can place multiple units around a large area. They promoted it very well in advance to race participants and attendees.
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Deposit Return Bins
Just because we are at a festival or event doesn't mean we can't take part in the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). We encourage all event organisers and any vendors to ensure that they are compliant with the scheme.
Contact Re-turn.ie for more information on the DRS at festivals.
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2025 Circular Economy Fund
Deadline for applications Friday 21st February at 5pm
AIM
To support communities to move away from the traditional linear ‘take-make-use-dispose’ model towards more circular living where resources are reused or recycled as much as possible, and the generation of waste is minimised.
THEME
Inviting project proposals aimed at minimising single use plastics throughout their activities i.e. reusable cup schemes, reusable container schemes, installation of permanent water refill stations, provision of temporary water stations at events etc.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Schools, community groups, sports clubs, and festivals
MORE INFORMATION
Visit Circular Economy Fund | Cork County Council or email cefund@corkcoco.ie.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
Friday 21st February at 5pm.
Water Refill Stations in Libraries
Don't forget to bring your reusable water bottle and refill!
In an effort to encourage sustainability and reduce waste, Cork County Library and Arts Service, in conjunction with the council’s Climate and Energy Office installed filtered water-filling stations in Carrigaline, Kinsale and Mallow branch libraries.
Designed to refill reusable water bottles, these stations provide convenient and sustainable hydration for all.
Don't forget to bring your reusable bottle to refill.
Eirgrid Funding
Open to groups within 2km of the new cable line
Area of benefit map
A second phase of the EirGrid Celtic Interconnector Community Benefit Fund is now open for applications!
With a focus on Sustainability, Biodiversity, and Community, this fund provides grants to local community groups, not-for-profit organisations, and social enterprises operating within 2km of the new cable line.
If your group has a project that will create a positive social and environmental impact, this is your chance to secure funding!
Deadline for applications is Friday 14th March 2025
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