Download Festival, the world’s premier rock event has announced major improvement plans for this year’s festival, pushing to make it the most accessible and greenest Download ever.
Viewing platforms across all stages and British Sign Language interpreters lead the way for accessibility improvements to better meet the needs of Download fans, and after receiving a 4-star Creative Green Certification from Julie’s Bicycle, Download continues to raise the bar with its commitment to environmental protection with the introduction of its first ever Eco Campsite.
Festival Republic’s Melvin Benn says: “Download Festival is built upon an ethos of inclusivity and it’s incredibly important to us that as many people as possible are able to enjoy the festival to the fullest.
"Being awarded a 4 out of 5 star Creative Green Certification is a huge milestone for Download Festival, and in this current climate I can’t help but feel proud of what we are doing to protect the environment including the introduction of Greenpeace’s Eco Campsite.”
Access viewing platforms will now be available at all stages across the festival as well as in The DogHouse, Download’s resident party stop located in the Village, meaning great accessible vantage points for the fans’ favourite bands whether they’re on The Dogtooth Stage or Main Stage.
Download Festival is incredibly proud to welcome British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for the first time on the Main and Zippo Encore Stage platforms, provided by Performance Interpreting, a unique company providing deaf performers to the music and entertainment industry.
Marie Pascall, director of performance interpreting says: “Performance Interpreting are proud to be providing the first ever BSL Access Team at this year’s Download Festival.
"We will be providing a team of 8 qualified interpreters over the 3-day event, including deaf and hearing coordinators to ensure Deaf rock fans have an unforgettable experience. Rock music can be extremely challenging to interpret, embodying the energy, power and raw emotion of these almighty rock legends is an ambitious achievement. Bring it on!”
Download Festival is dedicated to improving its understanding, commitment and improvement towards environmental sustainability, and since 2016 Download has participated in the Creative Green Certification which is an external assessment by Julie’s Bicycle, a charity who support the creative industries to act on climate change.
Download achieved an incredible four out of five stars due to last year’s environmental ethics, and welcomes everyone to read full report is available to read online.
Last year at Download there was a decrease in overall carbon footprint by 96 tonnes of CO2e compared to 2016, and for 2018 we have introduced carbon balancing by adding £1 to the cost of all parking passes which will be donated to the charity Energy Revolution, who invest in renewable energy projects
In 2017, overall waste decreased by 61% compared to the year previous.
Download Festival introduced reusable cups last year where half a million single use cups were saved, and the Deposit Return System has seen an amazing 100,000 bottles collected and recycled since 2016.
There has even been an increase of campsite recycling points, and food traders are not allowed to use single use plastic cutlery or food containers to ensure 2018 is the most environmentally friendly yet. Did we mention plastic straws have been banned since 2016 too?
Following this, and new for 2018, Greenpeace are hosting a brand-new campsite called Eco Camp in a beautiful part of the Donington Estate, which is home to ancient oak trees and native wildlife, and can host up to 3000 fans who value spending time in the great outdoors just as much as listening to their favourite bands.
Staying in the campsite is available at no extra cost for fans who have purchased a valid weekend camping ticket, but they must pre-register in advance and sign up to the set of eco-principles which include respecting the natural environment and fellow campers, being responsible for their rubbish and taking camping equipment home.
During the festival Greenpeace will nurture a community of like-minded people to get inspiration about how to live in a positive way and only their experiences and memories will remain.
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