The organisers of the Reading Festival, one of the UK's largest music festivals, have faced scrutiny regarding significant amounts of waste and abandoned tents left behind each year. The festival, which draws tens of thousands of attendees to Little John's Farm in Reading every August bank holiday, has come under the microscope of local councillors, who review annual reports from Festival Republic, the event's organiser.
During a council meeting earlier this month, Festival Republic highlighted that the 2024 edition of the festival produced 702.1 tonnes of waste, a decrease from the 780.4 tonnes generated in 2023. Furthermore, 71.22 tonnes of tents were left after the latest festival, down from 80.12 tonnes the previous year.
Labour councillor Jan Gavin remarked, "It's really heartening to see the improvements in the sustainability elements of the festival." However, she noted the persistent issue of abandoned tents, questioning how many festival-goers actually took their tents home. Gavin highlighted concerns about the image of the festival post-event, referencing drone photographs that showed large amounts of waste littering the field. "Does that tonnage only represent five percent, or does it represent 75 percent?" she asked. "Until you win the hearts and minds of festival-goers, that element of sustainability is going to be extremely hard to prove."
Councillor Adele Barnett-Ward added her concerns, stating that a common misconception exists among attendees who believe that leaving their tents will result in them being donated or reused. "One of the most pernicious misconceptions is that if you leave your tent, it will be donated, reused, it will go to a homeless person," she said. Barnett-Ward's remarks reflect a broader sentiment that more work is needed to educate attendees about responsible waste disposal.
Salvage teams, composed of 195 individuals, were able to collect and salvage 6.2 tonnes of waste left behind at the festival, indicating some effort to mitigate the amount of litter left after the event. However, even with these teams active, the volume of tents and other refuse remains a concern for both the organisers and local authorities.
A representative from Festival Republic stated that counting the number of festival-goers who leave their tents behind is challenging, indicating that tracking this behaviour would be a time-consuming process. "The message is front and foremost 'take your tent home!'" the representative insisted. They emphasized the importance of audiences understanding the etiquette and responsibility associated with attending such a large event.
This meeting was part of ongoing efforts by the Reading Borough Council to hold event organisers accountable and to explore strategies that encourage festival-goers to leave no trace behind. Councillor Rachel Eden noted the visible differences between festival camps, stating, "I could definitely tell the difference between what was then called the Eco Camp and the mainstream camp." Despite some improvements, Eden emphasized the need for a broader cultural shift among festival attendees when it comes to waste management.
As plans for the upcoming festival in August 2025 are underway, local authorities continue to engage with Festival Republic on how they can better educate attendees on sustainability practices, ensuring that future festivals leave the site cleaner and safer. With headline acts like Chappell Roan, Hozier, and Travis Scott announced, the pressure is on both the organisers and attendees to step up their game and ensure a more responsible event. Councillors hope that by promoting educational campaigns and incentivizing responsible behaviour, they can change the narrative surrounding festival waste.
Ultimately, festivals like Reading have the potential to be not only exhilarating experiences for music lovers but also models of environmental responsibility when done right. However, as the council continues to scrutinize waste management tactics and community assumptions about tent disposal, it will be crucial for both organisers and attendees to take sustainable practices seriously.
As preparations for the August Bank Holiday weekend unfold, the spotlight remains on waste management at the Reading Festival. The council, alongside Festival Republic, is committed to finding practical solutions that will encourage thousands of festival-goers to embrace a culture of environmental consciousness, ensuring this beloved event can be enjoyed responsibly for years to come.
