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AGF’s Sustainability Report Highlights Ban on Single Use Plastic
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By Ryan Moss
- 03 Apr 2025
- 4 min read
A Greener Future (AGF) have released its annual Festival Sustainability Insights Report, finding that 70% of assessed events have now implemented complete bans on single-use plastics.
The report, which analysed data from 40 festivals across 16 countries throughout 2024, also examines multiple environmental impact areas including food and beverage services, waste management, energy consumption and carbon emissions.
AGF also found that average recycling rates have climbed substantially from 38% in 2022 to 49% in 2024.
Food service showed particularly dramatic improvement, with 20% of assessed festivals offering exclusively vegetarian or vegan menus, more than double the 8% reported in 2023. This shift addresses one of the largest contributors to climate change and ecological decline.
“Festivals that work with AGF or apply for certification are generally environmentally aware and active,” said Claire O’Neill, CEO of A Greener Future. “Nevertheless, these results are promising, showing a trend towards decarbonisation and waste reduction. In particular, we are happy to see more festivals going plant-based as this is one of the single most important changes events can make to protect nature and tackle climate change, and costs nothing.”
The report found that waste generation averaged 0.8kg per person daily across all events, with camping festivals producing significantly more waste (1.4kg) than non-camping events (0.5kg).
The need to improve energy usage is still required. While 26% of festivals operated entirely on mains electricity, diesel generators remain the most common power source for small to medium-sized events. Larger festivals have largely transitioned to HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) fuel, though battery storage and onsite renewable energy generation remain underutilised.
Transportation continues to present the greatest environmental challenge, with audience travel accounting for between 35% and 94% of festival carbon footprints. Private vehicle use remains high, particularly for rural events, where 62% of attendees travelled by car despite a noted increase in electric vehicle usage.
The report also highlighted 2024’s Guinness World Record-breaking low-carbon concert by Massive Attack, which operated entirely on batteries charged by wind and solar power, with a fully plant-based menu and zero diesel usage throughout the site.
AGF has been assessing festival impacts globally for 19 years, publishing annual reports that track industry progress and identify areas for improvement. Download the latest report and methodology HERE.
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