Handling Music Festival Site Toxic Waste Post Event.

Music festivals still have a reputation for the generation of significant volumes of waste and the environmental impact this can have. Processes for the appropriate collection and disposal of waste is an essential part of event planning. A key element of managing festival site waste is identifying and disposing of toxic waste which needs careful handling.

Most music festival entities produce sustainability objectives for their events and a key part of this is minimising their impact on the environment. Many events embrace the principle of ‘Leave No Trace’ and combined with the need for compliance of regulatory environment rules means they need to plan their waste management. Organisers often partner with waste specialist contractors who can help the collection and correct disposal of all waste generated including specific processes for identification and handling of toxic waste. 

What Constitutes Toxic Waste. 
Some of the most toxic and difficult to clean up are chemicals that can include fuels and oils that have leaked from diesel generators and parked vehicles. Other toxic chemicals can be found in disposed cleaning products, solvents, paint and adhesive used in the site construction process but also discarded glow sticks for example. Electronic waste is an increasing concern driven by cheaper technology and may include discarded batteries, chargers, electronic devices and vapes for example. Medical facilities can also produce significant volumes of clinical waste which may include used bandages, syringes and personal protective equipment (PPE). Other hazardous materials found post event can include discarded narcotics or drugs and related paraphernalia. 

Planning Toxic Waste Containment. 
With a knowledge and understanding of the types of toxic waste that will probably be encountered post event organisers need to plan the management of this usually in conjunction with a contracted waste management specialist. The installation of waste separation bins which clearly state what constitutes hazardous materials throughout a festival site can help with the appropriate collection of potentially toxic waste. The planning process should also include training for staff and volunteers on the types of toxic waste they will encounter with the processes for handling, collection and disposal. Information and help kiosks throughout a site should be able to provide advice and guidance to festival-goers on how to dispose of potentially toxic waste. 

Collection and Disposal Process. 
Assuming that all efforts have been made to identify, collect and separate toxic waste during the event the waste management contractor should be able to handle the collection and disposal process in a safe and appropriate manner. Where there have been chemical spillages like fuel and oil these need to be cleaned using approved processes. Where possible organisers should document their waste management clean-up operation detailing the volumes and types of waste along with the disposal methods used. A post event environmental impact report should be produced that documents and tracks any toxic waste found on site. These results will form part of the festival's overall sustainability credentials and environmental impact reporting. 

Regulatory Compliance. 
The UK and EU do have strict environmental laws and guidance regarding the separation, labelling and disposal of toxic waste. These laws include the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for managing hazardous waste safely and the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 which outlines rules for storage, transport, and disposal. In addition, there is the Waste Duty of Care Code of Practice and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which protects workers from hazardous materials exposure. 

For festival organisers planning their next events using a software management platform like Festival Pro gives them all the functionality they need manage every aspect of their event logistics. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The Festival Pro platform is easy to use and has comprehensive features with specific modules for managing artists, contractors, venues/stages, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, guestlists, ticketing, site planning, cashless payments and contactless ordering.

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