Since the first gathering in 1974, the Winnipeg Folk Festival has cared about its impact on the environment. From awareness through folk songs to on-site operations, the festival has worked diligently to be an earth-friendly event.
In 1997 the festival was the first event of its kind to be certified by Canada’s Environment Choice Program with an EcoLogo as a ‘green event’. As we have grown through the years, we have taken on new initiatives and worked hard to contain our carbon footprint.
At the 2009 Winnipeg Folk Festival, we’re being as mindful as ever about the environment. Here are some highlights of our initiatives, new and ongoing:
/ USING LESS ENERGY AND RESOURCES: We said goodbye to disposable plates in 1997 by introducing our Reusable Plate program, which saves more than 77,000 paper plates each year. That’s almost one million since the program’s inception!
/ USING LESS PLASTIC: In 2008, we introduced compostable cups. Thanks to Manitoba Liquor Marts and Big Rock Brewery, in 2009 all beverage cups served in the tavern will be compostable.
/ CUTTING DOWN ON GARBAGE: More than 400 volunteers run our Recycling and Composting programs to reduce waste at the festival. And our Winnipeg Folk Festival mugs and water bottles offer alternatives to disposable containers.
/ LOCAL ORGANIC FAIR TRADE (LOFT) COMMITMENT: With the support of local farmers, suppliers and our food vendors, we ensure that a significant amount of the food consumed at the festival is accessed through local, organic and fair trade sources.
/ ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION: Whether by bike, public transit or shuttle bus, we offer many options for getting to and from the festival in a more environmentally conscious way.
/ RE-PURPOSING MATERIALS: Our Young Artists Program will be experimenting with this theme in 2009, check it out near the Hand-Made Village, where you’ll find many creations out of re-used materials. As well, our new “old” bar at Billy and Mike’s L’il Tavern was built by Wood Anchor with reclaimed wood from a Manitoba grain elevator.
IT IS EASY BEIN’ GREEN: REDUCE YOUR FESTIVAL FOOTPRINT!
/ Use re-fillable containers for your beverages, such as our handy Winnipeg Folk Festival mugs and water bottles available at the Music Store, or bring your own.
/ Fill your water bottle at one of our water taps.
/ Carpool, rideshare or take the bus!
/ While at one of our taverns, drop your compostable cup in our convenient Cupsuckers. Talk to a volunteer from Resource Conservation Manitoba about what happens to the cups after they are deposited in the Cupsuckers.
/ Use your bike to come to the festival. We’ve got great racks!
/ Bring your own cutlery to accessorize your re-usable plate.
/ Buy from one of our LOFT vendors.
/ Send us your ideas about how to be even greener! info@winnipefolkfestival.ca
/ Take care when disposing of your waste in our composting and recycling containers. Ask a volunteer for info if you need help.
/ Donate to the Winnipeg Folk Festival to make things even greener! We would love to invest in carbon offsets, plant more trees and cut down on gas-powered vehicles, amongst many other improvements. Make a donation so we can realize even more earth-friendly changes!
