Waterkant
Zero Waste Mission_
Not just a promise — a way to festival.
What happens to all the stuff that a two-day festival purchases, sets up and uses? We first asked ourselves this question in all seriousness in 2019. In 2024, we answered it with a systematic approach — together with Zero Waste Kiel e.V. and supported by BINGO! The Environmental Lottery. The result: under 150 grams of residual waste per person per day. No single-use tableware. No newly purchased equipment. No printed tickets.
By contrast, Deutsche Umwelthilfe cites figures of several kilograms — in some cases up to 15 kg — per person per day for traditional music and major festivals. What makes the difference is not a special budget. It’s decisions made early on, implemented consistently.
For you as event organisers
We’ve put together what worked for us — with all the ups and downs. Not as a one-size-fits-all solution, but as an honest account from real-world experience: what we actually did, why it worked, and what can be directly applied to other events.
This guide is aimed at anyone who wants to tackle zero waste at their event — whether it’s a small town fair or a multi-day festival. Just start somewhere.
This guide is free of charge and available for anyone to use.
We’d love to hear what you’ve found useful in it.
Partners involved
This project would not have been possible without strong partners.
Zero Waste Kiel e.V. provided us with technical guidance, expertise, strategic support and the knowledge gained from years of practical experience.
BINGO! Die Umweltlotterie funded the project and made this guide possible.
Furthermore, die Spülbar, as the key infrastructure partner, co-planned and then implemented the reusable system — reliably, solution-oriented and with genuine enthusiasm for the cause.
