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Green T in the Park
15/02/2008
The World Famous T in the Park festival at Balado near Loch Leven has been singled out for its 'green' approach.
The event has been highlighted as the world's largest 'CarbonNeutral' festival and the only one of its kind in Europe.
At the official launch of the 2008 festival, Environment Minister Michael Russell said:
"Climate change is a challenge for all of us. We are already seeing its effect through increasing temperatures and dramatic increases in rainfall in the winter.
"Every time we throw away rubbish, get in the car or turn on the lights we are leaving our mark on our planet.
"I am therefore heartened to see the organisers of one of Scotland's most iconic cultural events tackling the problem head on.
"As we are officially home to the world's largest 'CarbonNeutral' festival, Scotland is again seen to be leading the way in its approach to tackling climate change, but there is still much more we can do.
"Last month we launched our 10 Greener Pledges for 2008. I would urge everyone going to the festival to sign up and make a difference to the environment."
Scottish Natural Heritage has designated Loch Leven as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, this means that it is of special interest due to its floral, fauna, geological or physiographical features. The Loch is very close to T's Balado site and campers can help look after the loch by only bringing phosphate free soap/shower gel to the festival, as phosphate can lead to algal blooms which starves oxygen in the loch.
In addition, all contractors and staff working onsite during the site build and event show days also stick to very strict rules about waste water - none is poured onto the ground and there are multiple "Grey Water" collection points around the site which are emptied safely and securely daily.
T in the Park teams up with Scottish Water every year to ensure that free water standpipes are available throughout the Main Arena and the Campsite. This is to ensure that festival goers can re-use plastic bottles wherever possible and fill them up for free to avoid creating additional waste. In addition, the festival continues to encourage campers to use the special designated recycling areas within the campsite to further recycle plastic, cans and paper. In an effort to further act in an environmentally responsible way, all the festoon lighting in the campsite now carries energy efficient lightbulbs.
The way T in the Parkers travel to the festival can seriously help reduce the event's carbon emissions. T highlights as much as possible in all consumer communication the benefits of travelling to the event by bus. Where shuttle bus travel isn't an option, they encourage and recommend car sharing wherever possible.