This year, we’re trying our best to become a more environmentally-friendly festival.

Last year we were informed that one of our Worcester Festival balloons had ended up being washed up on the beach in Thorpeness, Suffolk which is 198 miles away from Worcester. Although we aren’t sure where our balloons ended up after we’d given them away, there’s no doubt that the majority of our latex balloons would end up in landfill or land in our countryside and oceans. This message was all the proof we needed to decide once and for all that balloons were out and 100% biodegradable flags were in for #WorcFest2019!

Image take by C. Deering

New for 2019: Worcester Festival flags!

There are also more eco-conscious events that have been registered with us this year which we are extremely proud to support. The first of which is I am Turtle, a relaxed performance with an important message at The Swan Theatre on Friday 16th August. A tale to enchant listeners young and old, I am Turtle is an enthralling delve into the great oceans to hear the Turtles’ story and what we can do to take care of their home.

I am Turtle

Additionally, you can learn how to make their own Eco-Brik at Worcester’s only zero-waste shop, Pack It In (dates can be seen on our events page here). This activity will help you audit your plastic waste and discover how to cut down your plastic waste by shopping plastic free. Not only that, you can head down to the Pump House Environmental Centre next week (view dates on our events page here) where there will be loads of brilliant eco-stuff going on, and if you quote ‘Worcester Festival’, you’ll be entitled  to a half price breakfast or lunch. What’s not to like?!

Create your own Eco-Brik

Pump House Environmental Centre

Although sad, the omission of our Festival Fireworks has also helped us to become a more environmentally friendly festival. Over the years our concern as a society over our noise and waste pollution has increased, and rightfully so. Not only does this waste have an impact on our planet as whole, for instance aiding global warming, but also on a smaller scale with domestic and wild animals. The fireworks not only produced noise pollution that would frighten animals, but also parts of the fireworks would end up in the river or further afield despite our best effort to clear it up. The money saved from cutting the fireworks has also allowed us to put on more free events for the community that we believe is also a positive from this loss.

As a final note, once the festival is over please pop your event guide in the recycling and help us to continue our eco-efforts, thank you.