The Village of Patchogue and the Great South Bay Music Festival organizers are teaming up this year to reduce the eco-footprint of the island’s largest music fest into 2025 and beyond.
Other goals of the initiative include bringing awareness to the importance of developing sustainable communities, and providing a blueprint for other festivals and events regionally, according to a joint announcement from the festival and the village’s Protecting the Environment, or PEP, committee.
Together they’re calling the initiative the The GSB-PEP Project.
So during this year’s festival, there will be a focus on the reduction of waste, carbon emissions and creating public awareness for everyday practices that create sustainable communities, businesses and festivals, the announcement reads.
“After the enthusiasm for the launch of the Green Business Program in Patchogue Village, expanding common sense sustainable practices to events in the village was the next logical step,” said Village Trustee Joseph Keyes, the committee’s chair.
The Great South Bay Music Festival is held annually at Patchogue’s Shorefront Park. This year’s events run from Thursday, July 18, through Sunday, July 21. Click here for additional festival details.
The numbers goal of the project is to reduce the festival’s eco-footprint by 25 and then 50 and then 75 percent overall by 2025.
A few highlights of the project include:
- Reduction of water bottles
- Providing a water refilling station
- Use of recyclable cups
- “Straw by request” policy, no single use plastic bags or Styrofoam
- Promotion of public transportation
- Public awareness campaign through Eco-Art created by local artists, students, and community members
“Creating a sustainable festival has been a goal of mine for a very long time,” said festival organizer Jim Faith. “This partnership will ensure that we can reduce the festival’s footprint, and create a buzz among festival goers to make informed everyday eco-choices.”
IF YOU GO
Great South Bay Music Festival announces full lineup for July 18-21, 2019
