Reducing Wychwood's carbon footprint has been important for the festival organisation right from the beginning. Our links with Friends of the Earth has meant that we have been able to get the best advice to do this and each year we work hard to improve.

Currently every single light bulb on site is low energy, they are also fitted with day light sensors meaning they switch off automatically when it is light enough. We work hard to lessen the power pumped by generators by planning where electricity is needed and use low sulphur diesel in all of the generators.

Recycling is strongly encouraged with special bins placed conveniently through out the festival site and special bin bags handed out as festival goers arrive at the campsite. We recycled 5.88 tonnes of rubbish last year. This is almost 50% of the total rubbish created by the festival. This year we hope to beat that target, so look out for those recycling bins when you are at the festival!

It isn't just the festival goers and production that can make a difference to the festival's environmental impact, all the caterers and traders that attend the festival must also agree to meet our aims. Caterers must not use polystyrene and disposable plastics at the festival including using plastic cutlery, plates, takeaway containers, plastic cups. We ask that they bring supplies and food stuffs to the festival in either reusable containers or vessels that are compostable, biodegradable disposables and remove any surplus wrappings before they get to the festival. All tea, coffee, sugar and hot chocolate, must be from fair-trade sources and we chose favourable from caterers that are local or who will use locally produced/sourced products.

For more information about Friends of the Earth's involvement with Wychwood, please see here or visit their own website at www.foe.co.uk

For an article from our partners The Independent on the greening of festivals, including Wychwood see here