Large-scale music festivals often pose significant environmental challenges, generating considerable waste and emitting high levels of CO2. Goldenvoice, a division of AEG, is challenging this norm by leading the way in sustainable festival organizing. Their three-day music festival, Cali Vibes, held in Long Beach, CA, serves as a model for greening festival operations.
For the second year running, Cali Vibes has teamed up with Three Squares Inc., an environmental consulting firm based in Los Angeles, to develop a comprehensive sustainability program. This initiative aims to reduce emissions, minimize waste, educate attendees and staff, and promote eco-friendly practices.
With 25,000 fans per day, Cali Vibes has embraced sustainability as a focal point, implementing various green initiatives:
- Food Waste Reduction: Surplus food is donated to local shelters, and 20% to 30% of food vendors offer vegan options, with all required to provide at least one vegetarian option.
- Reusable Cup Program: Partnering with r.World, the festival eliminated around 300,000 single-use plastic cups by using r.Cup reusable cups. Water is served in aluminum cans, and refill stations are readily available.
- Energy Reduction: Overdrive Energy Solutions’ battery power stations capture solar energy to light parking lots, merch stations, and bathroom zones. Battery-powered LED lights are used for efficient lighting, and locally-produced renewable diesel powers generators and heavy equipment, eliminating 43 tons of carbon emissions.
- Emission Reduction: The festival encourages the use of public transit by offering free or discounted rides through L.A. Metro. A “no idling” rule is enforced, requiring cars and gas-powered golf carts to be turned off when not in motion.
