Bonnaroo Arts & Music Festival in Tennessee is a shining example of a festival that goes beyond just the music, embracing a commitment to sustainability. In 2022, Bonnaroo supported many programs through sustainability contributions and greening fees, along with implementing sustainability measures for environmental preservation.
In 2009 the Bonnaroo Works Fund (BWF) was created as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. According to their website, “$1 from every ticket sold goes towards sustainability work like our permanent compost pad and solar array, community education in Planet Roo, carbon offsets, food recovery efforts, and food bank donations.”
Carbon Offset Initiatives:
Partnering with environmental nonprofit We Are Neutral, BWF executed energy-efficient upgrades that saved 1,386,588 kWh of electricity and 43,785,830.70 gallons of water, saving local families ~$135,940 on utility bills. Additionally, last year Bonnaroo organizers invested in renewable energy projects and reforestation efforts, seeking to minimize its environmental footprint and created a Sustainability Add-On with your ticket purchase or donate directly to the Bonnaroo Works Fund.
Education and Engagement:
Bonnaroo capitalizes on the attendance of over 80,000 festival goers to leverage sustainability education to foster sustainable mindsets. In 2022, the festival dedicated learning areas about food insecurity, recycling, and waste reduction and hosted environmental workshops on sustainable living. These sessions leveraged the power of storytelling, inspiring the wide array of festival-goers to take the lessons learned at Bonnaroo back into their communities.
Conclusion:
Bonnaroo 2022 was an exciting musical experience boasting impressive headliners such as J Cole and Stevie Nicks, and trail-blazed efforts to leverage the power of sustainable practices. By prioritizing carbon offsets and educational initiatives, Bonnaroo demonstrated its commitment to preserving our planet while providing a memorable festival experience. There’s so much potential for other festivals to look at Bonnaroo as an inspiration.