Festival Footprint Zero Waste Initiative

A Step in the Right Direction

In 2018, we made a commitment to the environment and sustainability: to become a zero waste event by 2023. In 2019, we dramatically moved forward as we diverted over 83% of our landfill waste to compost and recycling. We set up three-stream waste receptacles throughout the festival footprint, and increased the number of volunteers to staff this extraordinary undertaking.

Additionally, all our food vendors and caterers are compliant, and we’re implementing water stations with the support of The City of Ann Arbor’s A2H2O program as we attempt to reduce plastic water bottle usage. Special thanks to the University of Michigan Office of Campus Sustainability and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner for their continued support. Transforming a gathering of this scale into a zero-waste event demonstrates a major commitment to improving the environment by the festival and our series sponsor, Toyota.

The Festival Footprint Learning Center is located next to our Information Booth at Top of the Park, and groups from around Washtenaw County bring interactive activities to empower festival goers to take the Festival Footprint ideas home with them.

We believe art can change the way people see their environment and impact sustainability for generations. And we regularly present artists working to raise awareness and employ upcycling in their processes. Past presentations have included Juan Martinez’s Pedal Powered Kinetic Sculptures and Mary Mattingly’s Objects in the Round.

Sponsored By

Toyota

Partners

Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner's Office       U-M Planet Blue   A2 Zero Waste