An overview of our commitments...
- We have an Environmental Policy and Sustainability Action Plan in place
- We have a clear strategy to help us reduce waste and increase recycling
- We have many environmental initiatives and organisations onsite at the show
- We use Julie’s Bicycle Industry Green tools to help us measure our carbon footprint
- We are applying to be assessed and certified by A Greener Festival (AGF)
- We promote and incentivise sustainable travel
- We are committed to tackling energy use and reducing our fuel consumption
- We have introduced the use of Green D+ HVO fuel and now the show doesn’t use a single drop of diesel fuel
- We have introduced the use solar and hybrid power and plan on expanding this further
- We introduced reusable cups at all of our bars in 2016
- We banned the sale of single use plastics on site in 2017
- We banned the use of plastic serveware and packaging in 2017
- We have a Sustainable Procurement Policy
- We have a Food Trader Award that started in 2015 and promotes sustainability in the catering industry
- Minimum food standards have been introduced for all traders (e.g. Fairtrade / Free-range / Red Tractor)
- Food waste is collected post show and donated to a local Lambeth food charity, who then distribute it to food banks and people in need – even cooked and prepared food that’s been left over
- We are signed up to Powerful Thinking’s Festival Vision: 2025 Pledge.
Creative Industry Green Report
Energy and Fuel
Below is our generator fuel usage that has been recorded in since 2015:
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # Generators | 25 | 20 | 23 | 27 | 21 | 26 | 26 |
| Diesel (Litres) | 8,380 | 9,347 | 9,676 | 10,900 | 8,810 | 1,522 | 0 |
| HVO (Litres) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 922 | 7,453 | 12,518 |
| % +/- Diesel | +11.6% | +11.5% | +3.5% | +12.6% | -19.2% | -82.7% | -100% |
In 2015 we introduced a “no personal generator” policy on site for all traders and exhibitors. This has allowed us to accurately monitor the amount of diesel that is used to power the festival – from traders to stages to lighting and more. This has led to the increase in diesel usage from 2014 as the number of traders has increased. Other factors that have led to an increase in fuel usage and number of generators since 2015 have been due to the event growing in size.
In 2019 we introduced hybrid generators for the first time to help us reduce diesel usage and CO2 emissions, as well as reducing noise levels – especially through the night. We also introduced solar power to the Eco Village and this area is now 100% powered by solar. This is something we are committed to rolling out in other zones in the future.
The bio fuel that we use is Green D+, which is a high performance Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and made entirely from waste. This helps us reduce our carbon emissions, nitrogen oxides and particulates that would otherwise be produced if using diesel. It is certified by the ISCC to reduce carbon emissions by 90% compared to fossil diesel.
As part of our commitment to The Festival Vision: 2025 Pledge, we have now achieved a 100% reduction on our diesel fuel consumption.
Food
2023 Key facts
- All traders are now using compostable plates, cutlery and cups
- All traders use fair trade tea/coffee/sugar
- More than 75% of traders use seasonal and local ingredients
- Food traders are not accepted unless they agree to use fish from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) approved sources
- All food traders have a healthy option on their menu
- All traders have a waste management strategy
- All traders have some form of environmental policy.
In partnership with local Lambeth food charities, we collect food from traders post show – even prepared food – and redistribute to those in need around Lambeth and the wider London area.
Collectively – one rescued cupcake, carrot or bottle of lotion at a time – we agree that we can build a more sustainable future where our most precious resources are shared, not thrown away.
In 2023, there were 40 dedicated food waste heroes and volunteers who turned up at the end of the event to help prevent food waste. Together we managed to save the following:
- 347 portions of food were collected from caterers
- 69 kg of food saved
- 297 kg of CO2 diverted
- 84% of collected food was eaten.
Cups
We pride ourselves on working with sustainable partners to produce our cups who hold certification from the PEFC (the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).
This assures that the wood fibre used in the production process of our cups originates in forests where Sustainable Forest Management (“SFM”) practices are in place – maintaining the optimum balance of harvesting and replanting for forest regeneration, conserving biodiversity, and protecting the rights of forest workers.
Plus, they’re carbon-balanced… a great win for the environment all around!
Single use plastics & serveware
The sale and serving of the following is banned at the show:
- Plastic bottles
- Plastic drinking straws
- Plastic bags
- Plastic Tea / Coffee stirrers
- Plastic Clothing tags
- Plastic Condiment sachets
- Plastic milk pots, sticks & jiggers
Water
There are numerous free water points across the show site where visitors can refill. For visitors who do not have a refillable bottle, cans of water are available from food traders and bars across site at a flat rate of £1 per 330ml can.
We have teamed up with Life Water, who are the two sole suppliers of canned water to the Lambeth Country Show. Aluminium cans have the highest recycling rate of any drink on the market, far higher than glass or plastic and so represents the most ecological way to address the issue of single use plastics on site for us, which has historically been plastic bottles. The sale of any other branded water on site is not permitted.
Serveware and packaging
We aim to recycle and compost as much as possible. Serveware is generally not easily recycle-able due to being covered in food stuff, therefore the best approach is to ensure it is compostable with the food.
All serveware including cutlery, plates, meal boxes etc. must be ‘compostable’. It is essential that all traders use the correct serveware as small percentages of contamination can lead to large amounts of waste going to landfill rather than being composted. All serveware is checked by our sustainability team onsite before permission is granted to open.
Packaging will be kept to a minimum and consist of only compostable materials.
Transport
We are committed to encouraging our visitors to offset their carbon emissions from their travel to and from the show.
How did our audience travel to the show in 2023?
- 47% of visitors walked
- 26% of visitors travelled by bus
- 12% of visitors travelled by personal car
- 9% of visitors travelled by train/overground
- 7% of visitors travelled by underground
- 3% of people travelled by bicycle
Each year we make concerted efforts to encourage visitors to travel by bicycle, public transport and walking.
What are we doing to encourage more sustainable travel?
- The Council’s Sustainable Travel produce our Active Travel zone at the show featuring a bike market, Cycle Confident cycle skills workshops and information stalls on how to be more active around the borough
- In 2014 we stopped providing a public car park to discourage travel to the show by car. Limited parking is available for Blue Badge holders only
- In 2014 we introduced two designated secure cycle parks within the park by main entrances
- We actively encourage the use of lift sharing services such as Liftshare
- There are 9 major bus routes to and from central London that run via Brockwell Park. We encourage travelling by these routes wherever possible. A detailed traffic management plan implements several road closures and parking suspensions to help Transport for London operate at full capacity during the show
- In 2016 we began to record travel data from all artists and performers taking part in the show, as well as all contractors and suppliers which we began to record in 2015. This goes towards our carbon emission calculations each year.
Waste
Having over 100,000 people in the same place during one weekend is always going to produce a significant amount of waste. In fact, in 2023 there was a total of 37.3 tonnes of it produced at the show. That’s the equivalent of 3 new Routemaster Double Decker Buses or around 7 fully grown African Elephants!
Kerbside recycling figures, where the % of dry recycling collected from households across the UK, is generally around 30 to 33%. The show’s recycling rates over the past 4 years have been consistent with this figure and in some years exceeding it.
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General waste (tonnes) | 21.5 | 18.8 | 22.5 | 20.1 | 14.7 | 9.32 | No data |
| Dry mixed recycling (tonnes) | 11.4 | 16.9 | 11.4 | 8.7 | 10.2 | 3.32 | 11.19 |
| Food waste (tonnes) | No data | No data | No data | No data | 1.9 | 2.44 | No data |
| Other materials (tonnes) | 0 | 4.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.6 | No data |
| Total materials (tonnes) | 32.9 | 40.6 | 33.9 | 28.8 | 26.8 | 20.68 | 37.3 |
| Total recycling (tonnes) | 11.4 | 20.3 | 11.4 | 8.7 | 12.1 | 11.36 | 11.19 |
| Rate of recycling | 34.7% | 50% | 33.6% | 30.2% | 45.1% | 54.93% | 30% |
In 2015 we started a partnership with Loowatt to offer a boutique toilet option in two locations at the show. The Loowatt waterless toilet uses a patented, simple and efficient sealing technology to contain human waste within biodegradable film, with a unique odor-inhibiting system. The waste stored in a cartridge for periodic emptying throughout the weekend, which is then linked to anearobic digestion systems off site to provide a source of biogas for cooking, electricity and other applications.
Stats
- Total waste collected: 0.4 tonnes
- Amount of water saved compared to vacuum flush toilets: 606 litres
- Elimination of chemical toilet waste dumped, compared to chemical toilets: 0.5 tonnes
- Energy generation in an anearobic digestion system : 35 kWh
- CO2 saving from energy production: 11kg
- The electricity generated from collecting your waste at the show each year amounts to the equivalent of charging 2,465 smartphones
- Loowatt attended a total of 9 festivals and events during the summer of 2016, generating a total 1.7 mWh. This is the equivalent of charging over 120,000 smartphones!
What are our current waste management practices?
- We have a recycling system for public areas
- We have checked and verified how our waste and recycling is processed after leaving site
- We have a comprehensive back of house (BOH) recycling system
- We have a reuse policy for wood and infrastructure
- We introduced more skips in 2016 to help us manage BOH waste more effectively.
The future...
The introduction of Lambeth Council’s Social Value Policy requires all companies commissioned for the event to demonstrate social value which includes environmental considerations.
Our measurements for energy, water and waste will help us to set future targets and highlight areas for improvement. The goal is to create a benchmark, not only for future Country Shows, but all other Lambeth Council events. This information will be available to staff and the public via our website.
We welcome new and innovative approaches to supporting our goals towards becoming more sustainable and invite other organisations to come forward to support our pledge.
Policies
Lambeth Country Show:
LCS 2025 Sustainability Action Plan (.pdf)
London Borough of Lambeth:
Lambeth Responsible Procurement Policy (.pdf)
Useful links
Festival Vision: 2025 Pledge
Vision: 2025 is a shared vision for a sustainable outdoor events industry. It was conceived as part of The Show Must Go On report, a festival industry response to the 2015 global climate change talks in Paris. The Show Must Go On report (2015) outlined the environmental impacts of the festival industry and aimed to provide a robust basis for an industry-wide action. The report launched the Vision: 2025 pledge to bring together festivals that wish to take action to create a sustainable future and we’re proud to be a part of it.
