This briefing has been prepared as part of the Towards Zero Waste Festivals project to help event organisers fully understand the current legislative landscape for waste, and the key changes on the horizon.

Waste was identified as one of the top three sustainability priorities by event organisers in Vision: 2025’s annual Industry Green Survey for seven consecutive years (2015-2021). The Towards Zero Waste Festivals report (March 2023) provides a detailed picture of the challenges to improved waste management at outdoor events and provides recommendations for the industry. The report identified a knowledge gap amongst event organisers about waste regulations and what to ask contractors.

In response, the Vision: 2025 team created a briefing; ‘Festival Industry Materials and Waste 101,’ published this week, which explains regulations, contractor requirements and new information about the UK plastics ban (2023), furniture classified as hazardous waste, and the new challenge of disposing of electronic vapes.