Sustainable festival

GREEN FESTIVAL

Large events have an impact on the environment whether you want it or not. We care for our environment and our ecological footprint, so we take responsibility for our role in it and we hope to act as positive role models for our guests. It’s important for us to organise an environmentally friendly and sustainable festival — this is the only way we can preserve our nature where Estonian traditional culture was born and where it lives on. Only by being sustainable and environmentally friendly can we achieve our main goal — to preserve our musical native tongue and enrich the world.


DECORATIONS AND UPCYCLING

When designing and creating the festival area and stage decorations, we upcycle and follow net zero design practices. We use almost exclusively leftover materials - most of them are provided by companies who are trying to find more environmentally friendly solutions for their scraps. For example we use scrap material from Haine ribbon factory and second hand event carpets from Space Production. When devising the decorations, we make sure that the created elements and materials would be reusable at the end of the use period.

We reuse as much as we can at the festival — starting from signage and ending with furniture. After the festival, we take them all apart and store them safely over the winter so that they can be used again next summer.


WASTE SORTING

We collect all the types of waste separately. Everybody sorts: the team, caterers, partners and guests. Choose the correct bin for food scraps, deposit packaging and mixed waste!
When you’re having fun, it might be the last thing on your mind but only you can help us recycle all the recyclable materials and send the deposit packaging back into use! If you have trouble choosing the right bin then our volunteer green ambassadors can help you.


FOOD, DRINK AND DEPOSIT DISHES

You can find a great selection of sustainable and delicious food choices at the festival area. We value local, seasonal and organic raw materials. The carefully selected menus include vegetarian and vegan options.

We provide free tap water to reduce the use of plastic bottles. You can find several bottle filling stations around the festival area.

Only reusable dishes are used at the festival. You can bring your own strong dishes to the festival which you can wash at the dishwashing stations. If you don’t have your own dishes with you, you can rent Eesti Pandipakend dishes for a deposit. Wash them after use and keep them with you for your next meals. You can get your money back when you return them to their return station.

The leftover food is sent to Viljandi food sharing station to reduce food waste.


TRANSPORT

We optimise our driving routes and use environmentally friendly solutions as much as possible. You can contribute as well!
Leave the car at home, but if that’s not possible, then fill it up with friends who are also heading this way. You can come to Viljandi by train or bus (more information HERE).
While in Viljandi, walking, cycling and using the Bolt scooters are the best options for getting around.


ENERGY

We make maximum use of the local electricity network. The generators use biofuel provided by our partner Terminal Oil.

We consume less, recycle, rent, reuse, whenever possible – that’s how we save the energy needed to produce new items. We are as energy-efficient as possible when using energy consuming devices, and switch off all unnecessary extras.

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

The home of our festival is in the Castle Hills which are part of Viljandi protected natural area. We give our best to make sure that after the festival the environment would be unchanged or in even better condition. We take in account the local bird and plant species and work closely together with the town of Viljandi and environmental experts.


HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO MAKE THE FESTIVAL GREENER?

  • Choose the correct bin for food scraps, deposit packaging and mixed waste! When you’re having fun, it might be the last thing on your mind but only you can help us recycle all the recyclable materials and send the deposit packaging back into use!
  • Drink tap water instead of bottled water — you can find several bottle filling stations around the festival area.
  • Reuse your plates and cups! Bring your own strong dishes to the festival which you can wash at the dishwashing stations. If you don’t have your own dishes with you, you can rent Eesti Pandipakend dishes for a deposit. Wash them after use and keep them with you for your next meals. You can get your money back when you return them to their return station.
  • Choose an environmentally friendly means of transport — come to the festival on a bike or take the train or bus. If you’re coming with your car, then fill it up with friends who are also heading this way. While in Viljandi, walking, cycling and using the Bolt scooters are the best options for getting around.