Free tool

Festival Waste Calculator

Estimate how much waste your festival will produce and what disposal will cost, with a recycling target and tips to cut waste.

Food court on site?
Reference threshold used in the calculation: 40%

Festival Waste Management

9,300 kg in total
  • General waste
    4,000 kg
  • Plastic (recyclable)
    1,500 kg
  • Paper / Cardboard (recyclable)
    800 kg
  • Organic / Food waste
    2,500 kg
  • Glass (recyclable)
    500 kg
  • Total estimated waste
    9,300 kg
  • Recycling stations needed
    10
  • Minimum cleaning staff
    20 people
  • Estimated disposal cost
    €1,674
  • Material actually recycled
    1,120 kg

Suggestions

  • With a food court on site, consider on-site composting to reduce the cost of disposing of organic waste.
  • Place 10 recycling stations evenly across the busiest areas.

How it works

Enter the expected number of attendees, the number of days, the type of catering and the materials handed out to estimate how much waste the festival will produce. The calculator suggests a waste sorting and recycling plan and the expected disposal costs, with tips for reducing waste.

Frequently asked questions

How much waste does a music festival produce?

It depends on the number of attendees, the number of days and above all on catering: food and drink packaging is usually the largest share. Enter your festival's data in the calculator to get an estimate in kilograms and tonnes.

How do I organise waste sorting at a festival?

Place recycling stations at regular intervals across the site, with colour-coded, clearly signposted bins; train volunteers in waste management; reward sorting, for example with a drinks discount for people who bring their own cup; and explain the procedures to artists and the public.

How can I reduce plastic waste at a festival?

Replace single-use plastic bottles with free drinking water points, use reusable cups with a deposit, encourage suppliers to use compostable packaging, ban single-use plastic in the food area and make zero plastic a goal you communicate to the public.

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