The UK’s largest live entertainment and concert promoter Live Nation Entertainment is targeting sustainability with plans to end sales of single-use plastics at all its owned and operated venues and events by 2021.
The move has been announced as part of Live Nation’s new charter which pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, achieve a 50% material recovery rate and become “zero waste to landfill” by 2030.
Live nation organises some of the biggest music festivals globally and in the UK, including BluesFest, Reading, Leeds, Latitude, Download and Wireless.
According to the event organiser, all plastic items on sale at such events must be either reusable, renewable, certified compostable or if unavoidable made from at least 30% recycled content.
The company is working with partners and sponsors and is piloting various programmes – including a trial of PLA-based water bottles across Europe in 2019 – to find the most effective ways to meet the progressive charter goals.
“Hosting over 35,000 concerts and festivals each year, Live Nation has the opportunity and responsibility to provide our artists and fans with a live music experience that protects our planet,” said Michael Rapino, President and CEO, Live Nation Entertainment.
Green Nation’s executive board of Melvin Benn, Managing Director, Festival Republic; Tom See, President, Live Nation Venues – US Concerts; and Charlie Walker, co-founder, C3 Presents will champion these initiatives along with support from regional sustainability managers and their teams at the local venue and event level.
Live Nation’s move follows a decision by the organisers of the UK’s biggest music festival Glastonbury last year to ban single-use plastics at the event as early as 2019.
The UK government has tightened its anti-plastic campaign over the past year, with plans to ban the sale of plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds as of April 2020.