Lokeren (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): The Lokerse Feesten and Fonnefeesten successfully managed waste during their recent events attracting large crowds. IDM reported a reduction in leftover waste highlighting effective recycling efforts and sustainability initiatives.
The Lokerse Feesten and Fonnefeesten two well-known festivals in Lokeren just finished their latest events and had great success especially with keeping the area clean. The waste processor IDM reported that both festivals managed to keep everything tidy which is impressive considering the big crowds. This year’s Lokerse Feesten lasted for ten days and had a record number of 132,000 visitors. The nice weather helped bring in so many people making it one of the best festivals in recent years. The Fonnefeesten also attracted a lot of visitors adding to the fun vibe in the city. Even with so many people at the festivals the waste management was really good. The organizers and IDM worked together to make sure trash was collected and taken care of properly which helped everyone have a nice time. This focus on being clean and sustainable has become a key part of these festivals.
How did Lokerse Feesten and Fonnefeesten improve waste management?
Annick Maes from IDM pointed out that when more people come to the festivals there’s usually more waste. This year since more people attended the Lokerse Feesten and Fonnefeesten there was more trash. However even with the larger crowds the festivals did a much better job managing waste especially in reducing leftover garbage. IDM collected a total of 73 tons of waste during the festivals. Out of that 35 tons were leftover waste that couldn’t be recycled or composted. It has been said that this is great because it’s 5 tons less than last year even with more people attending. This decrease in leftover waste shows that the waste management strategies used during the events were effective.
The good waste management was probably due to better recycling programs improved ways to sort waste and more awareness among festival-goers about the importance of reducing waste. This shows that IDM and the festival organizers are committed to being sustainable and making sure these big events have as little impact on the environment as possible. This year at the Lokerse Feesten they used reusable cups and food containers for snacks which helped save 18,000 disposable ones. For the first time food stalls and visitors could sort their food waste separately collecting 1,440 kilograms of organic waste. Half of all the waste from both festivals can now be recycled which is a record. The Fonnefeesten even set up a car wash to clean 5,000 cups and glasses an hour and there were 700 waste containers around the festival with 40 volunteers keeping everything clean for 10 days.
