Photo: Aimee Neldon

To reduce the Festival’s impact on the environment, we worked with innovative suppliers, and cultivated close partnerships with sponsors and our waste and recycling service providers. As a result, the Festival reduced its waste to the landfill by over 10 metric tones in 2009. This represents a 50% reduction of waste diverted from the landfill compared to last year. The following are just some of the steps we took to reduce our carbon footprint utilizing everything from alternate energy to eco-friendly alternatives:

  • Compostable corn based beer and wine cups were used.
  • Recycle stations were set up throughout the park with large 1 cubic yard blue bins for plastic, glass and cans–signage clearly identified the proper bin.
  • We continued to work with our official brewery, Beau’s All Natural Brewery, where everything from the brewing and organic malts, to the local spring water is all natural.
  • Bullfrog Power increased its partnership to include both the Main Stage and the OLG Stage in 2009 with 100% green, carbon-free electricity with EcoLogoM-certified wind power and low-impact water power generated in Ontario.
  • The number of bike racks was increased from last year and they were a huge success with festival-goers.
  • Working with our print sponsor we found it more convenient and efficient to print both the program book and brochure on recycled stock and FSC approved printing.
  • Rather than sending old banners to the landfill, the Festival now works with EcoEquitable, a non-profit small scale textile manufacturing enterprise. This not-for-profit organization recycles and reuses old banners, transforming them into desirable objects such as handbags.
  • In 2010 and 2011 the Festival added designated cardboard recycling bins on site, further reducing waste.
  • The Jazz Festival will continue to reduce its carbon footprint and act with awareness and responsability.