Environmental Policy

i. Sunrise Celebration aims to significantly reduce the amount of waste that would otherwise go to landfill.
ii. The Sunrise Celebration aims for year on year improvements in waste reduction
iii. Initiatives will be underway to encourage recycling, composting and reuse of rubbish. These include initiatives aimed at attendees, traders and crew.

Attendee engagement:
iv. All efforts will be made to encourage attendees to recycle and compost their waste as well as collect their litter. Such efforts will include:
a. Providing attendees with two bin bags upon entry to the event. One for recycling and one for waste.
b. Providing attendees with cigarette butt dispensers.
c. Placing recycling and refuse bins at frequent intervals within public areas.
d. Placing compost bins near food areas and within the camping fields.
e. Displaying information about our Sunrise Composting Initiative and relaying information that all Sunrise Certified disposable cutlery, plates and cups can be placed in composting bins with all types of waste food.
f. Clearly marking recycling, composting and refuse bins.
v. Attendees must be made aware of the strict no glass policy on site. Measures will be taken to regulate the inflow of glass onto the site including:
a. Random vehicle searches upon entry to the site.
b. Impounding glass containers and/or large quantities of alcohol if found.

Traders:
vi. Traders are encouraged to reduce waste as much as possible and join in our Sunrise Composting and Sunrise Recycling Initiatives. These outline strategies for increasing the amount of waste that is composted and recycled at the event and require:
a. Only Sunrise Certified compostable disposables to be used on site when serving food and drink. The use of plastic disposable plates and cutlery is not permitted.
b. A wholesaler onsite to supply traders with Sunrise Certified compostable disposables and compostable bags. Traders will be notified of this in advance.
c. Compost and recycling bins placed behind trader’s stalls.
d. Traders to use compostable bags to collect compost waste and re-useable recycling bags to collect their recyclable waste.
e. Recycling to be sorted into paper, glass, plastic, metal, tetrapak and battery waste streams.
vii. Consumable goods can not be sold in glass containers, though they can be dispensed from them. Some minor exceptions may apply however authorisation has to be obtained from the Environmental Coordinator.

Event organisation:
viii. Rubbish collectors and litter pickers will be responsible for removing waste from the site.
ix. Rubbish collectors must ensure that bins do not overflow by making regular rubbish collections throughout the event.
x. Rubbish collectors and litter pickers will separate general waste, compostable materials and recyclables into their different waste streams. Litter pickers will be given refuse, recycling and composting bags to fill.
xi. Eco rangers will hand out recycling, rubbish and compost bags to attendees.
xii. Separate depot areas will be required on site for refuse, recycling and compostable materials. Each section will then be dealt with separately.
xiii. Refuse will be checked for recyclable or compostable materials.
xiv. Compost material will be taken to the nearest composting plant.
xv. It is the combined responsibility of the rubbish collectors, the litter pickers, the recycling team and the compost team to maximise the amount of waste that is recycled and composted on site.
xvi. Rubbish collectors, litter pickers and recycling teams are to be organised by trained and experienced individuals.
xvii.All litter and unwanted items are to be cleared from the site after the event. It is the area coordinators responsibility to make sure their area is clear of litter.

i. Clean water supplies will be available at all times during the event.
ii. All drinking water supplied through the taps in 2009 will be fed from a natural spring (TBC)
iii. To reduce the need for plastic water bottles drinking water taps and fountains will be placed at regular intervals around the site with special attention paid to dance areas.
iv. All waste water from showers etc. will be disposed of safely away from water courses in a suitable location as outlined by the Environment Agency.
v. The amount of waste water from the event will be reduced through the use of compost toilets.
vi. Water consumption levels for the whole of the event will be recorded as a part of our sustainability appraisal.
vii. Long term planning will include the introduction of rainwater harvesting systems for non-drinking water purposes and separation of natural water supplies from mains-connected water.

Transport to and from site:
i. Sunrise Celebration aims reduce the environmental impact caused by attendees and crew travelling to the site. This will be done through an awareness raising campaign. Car sharing and the use of public transport will be encouraged.
ii. Car sharing amongst attendees will be encouraged by:
a. Imposing a parking charge for vehicles.
b. Promoting Freewheelers Sunrise Lift-Share Forum.
c. Promoting Festival Weather Sunrise Lift-Share Forum
d. Working in partnership with local Council initiatives in Somerset
iii. The use of public transport by attendees will be encouraged by:
a. Arranging a regular public transport shuttle service to and from the nearest railway and major bus stations.
b. Arranging used cooking oil coaches from major UK cities including Brighton.
c. Arranging a discount with First Great Western Rail for festival attendees.
d. Arranging special local bus services from Bruton using County Council services such as CAT Bus

Transport on site:
i. All on-site vehicle movements will be limited, especially during the event. At this time only emergency and essential site vehicles will be allowed to move freely on site. Access for all other vehicles will be restricted.
ii. Baggage, people and light equipment will be moved around the site by horsedrawn cart and rickshaws during and leading up to the event wherever possible.
iii. All plant hire vehicles will run off at least 50% biofuel where possible.
iv. Bicycle racks will be installed to promote bicycle use. Traders will be notified of bicycle racks.
v. To minimise soil damage:
a. Vehicle use will be strictly limited to specified lanes at all times and in all areas of the site.
b. Drivers of heavy vehicles will be asked to reduce their tyre pressure whilst driving across unpaved sections of the site.

i. Compost toilets and willow tree bogs will be used instead of chemical portaloos on the site wherever possible.
ii. The target is 70% composting to 30% portaloo for 2009 due to the loss of infrastructure suffered in the floods of 2008.
iii. Compost toilets and willow tree bogs will be made from environmentally friendly materials such as waste timber products or local sustainably harvested wood.
iv. In all areas with a low water table enclosed composting toilets will be used to catch waste and store it for removal.
v. We will provide only natural soaps and recycled, unbleached toilet paper for our toilets.
vi. Sawdust will be provided for cubicles to eliminate unpleasant smells.

i. The use of pollutants will be minimised on site. Environmentally friendly alternatives must be sought.
ii. The use of chemical cleaners, soaps and shampoos will be kept to a minimum:
a. Attendees are to be discouraged from using chemical cleaners, soaps and shampoos on site and only natural phosphate free alternatives will be available to use or to buy.
b. Crew and caterers must use chemical free / environmentally friendly cleaning products. Other products are prohibited.
iii. An audit of all potentially polluting and environmentally hazardous materials will be made.
iv. All environmentally hazardous materials (e.g. Bio-diesel) will be kept in secure containers outside public areas.
v. All hazardous materials will be contained away from watercourses.
vi. All hazardous substances will be handled only by designated contractors and authorised personnel.
vii. There will be a system of reporting and dealing with incidents of pollution and spillages. An Environmental Emergency Team will be on standby and contactable at all times during the event to deal with any such incidents.

i. There is a site-wide organic policy for all food and drinks, including alcohol.
a. All suppliers of consumable goods are expected to achieve a minimum of 80% organic content in their ingredients.
b. Each year the minimum standard will be increased until 100% of food and drinks sold on site are organic.
ii. The Sunrise Local Organic Food Initiative will be in place to encourage traders to use local suppliers for all consumables. This will minimise the environmental cost of transporting goods.
a. Information on Local Organic Suppliers and the Sunrise Local Organic Food Initiative will be distributed to all traders in advance.
b. Local Organic Food suppliers will be on site to supply goods directly to traders.
c. Traders will be able to pledge to buy Local Organic Foods during the event. These traders will be presented with certificates to display to the public.
iii. Efforts will be made to make sure that only ethical products are available on site.
iv. Priority will be given to environmentally friendly and ethical suppliers in the market.

i. There is a site wide renewable energy policy. All energy requirements will be supplied from environmentally sound, renewable sources.
ii. Where there is a deficit in energy supply from solar and wind powered systems, bio-diesel generators will be used.
iii. Energy consumption during the event will be monitored as a part of our sustainability audit.
iv. Long term efforts will be made to reduce energy consumption rates.
v. We endeavour to provide attendants with maximum exposure to the wide range of energy efficient and energy generating technologies available.
vi. All but one of the venues at Sunrise 2009 are powered from renewable sources (non-generator).
vii. Sunrise Celebration has a long term plan to increase the use of non-consumptive renewable energy generators including solar and wind power generators at each event.
viii. Sunrise Celebration is committed to the principles of the ‘Off-Grid’ movement as regards energy. We will stage a second event in 2009 with the title Sunrise: Off the Grid.

i. All efforts will be made to reduce the environmental damage caused by fires at the event.
ii. There will be designated communal fire pits to stop unnecessary damage to the ground.
iii. Fire pits will be dug into the ground with the turfs carefully removed and stored. These operations will be overseen by a qualified horticulturalist.
iv. Wood for fires will be provided in advance. It will be free of nails and screws to prevent potential harm to farm animals and vehicles after the event.
vi. Firewood will be sourced from local sources, preferably from sustainably managed woodlands.
vii. The central communal fire space will be managed by a dedicated fire-keeper who will ensure that there is no over consumption of firewood and that it stays at an acceptable size.
viii. Following the event, all fire pits will be meticulously cleaned of any potentially harmful materials such as metal. The ground will then be repaired with turfs carefully replaced and watered in.

i. Environmental education will be an important focus for the Sunrise Celebration. Innovative ways of sharing information, raising awareness and inspiring people to live more sustainably will form a major part of this event.

Education by example:
ii. By predominantly having organic food on sale and ethical crafts available and by powering the whole site, including all public entertainment, with sustainable renewable energy sources we are making a statement that it is possible to live in an environmentally friendly way. This will provide an excellent opportunity to raise public awareness and for education by example. Having a strong environmental ethos and environmental policies are invaluable if we are to set a good example for others to follow.
iii. As part of our education scheme there will be educational school trips arranged for children from local schools. This was very successful in previous years and we hope to bring more children into the festival site this year to learn about renewable energy, permaculture, sustainability and other green issues.
iv. We will seek to take parts of the festival out into the local community, particularly to school and youth clubs, providing education about green, global and social issues.
v. At best, the festival should act as a model of sustainable community in action. Whilst accepting this does not always happen, Sunrise is established to provide this model and be a gathering place for those involved in establishing such communities to share their experiences and knowledge.

Green talks, exhibits and campaigns:
vii. We will ensure that there are regular talks, presentations, workshops and discussion groups on relevant environmental and ethical issues throughout the event. These will be easily accessible and well timetabled.
viii. There will be representatives of many eco-living groups present who will be given the opportunity to create inspiring ways of spreading their message.
ix. Information and guidance will be available to the public on alternative lifestyle choices.
x. We will ensure that there are opportunities to observe and learn traditional eco-friendly crafts and practices.

Green innovations:
xi. Green businesses will be given priority in the marketplace.
xii. There is a Green Innovations Area showcasing new technologies and green business models and products.
xiii. There will be a green energy campaign to encourage people to sign up to green energy providers.
xiv. There will be a permaculture garden and sustainable technologies demonstration area focusing on practical environmentally sound alternatives to current global issues.

i. Sunrise Celebration has a Green Office policy ensuring its office supplies are provided from ethical sources, furniture and other equipment is recycled and that waste is minimalised.
ii. All printing produced by and for the Sunrise Celebrations will be on recycled or sustainable sourced materials and use, where possible, vegetable inks.
iii. In alignment with the principles of the Transition Movement, the Sunrise Celebration has a preference for local suppliers and endeavors at all times to ensure that its resources are drawn from the local area rather than further afield. The current target is 50% within a 40 mile radius of the site and 20% from within Somerset or Bristol.
iv. Sunrise is drawing up an ethical traders policy for the future in an attempt to ensure that goods sold on site represent its own strong principles of production and sourcing.
v. Preference is made, in choosing suppliers, for companies with a strong ecological record.

i. We will be calculating our carbon footprint and taking all measures possible to reduce it.
ii. Efforts will be made to engage the public and communicate the impact of their carbon emissions:
• To make attendees aware of the amount of carbon emitted when travelling the Sunrise Celebration Carbon Calculator is available on our website. This allows people to calculate the amount of carbon emitted from their vehicles when travelling to and from the festival.
• Talks, workshops, art and films will be presented on carbon and climate change issues.
iii. Carbon offsetting schemes will be promoted to attendees not as a substitute for travelling via public transport or lift sharing but as a way of giving back to the environment and supporting environmental education initiatives.
iv. As an event we are aiming at carbon neutrality. All efforts will be made to reduce our carbon footprint to a minimum.

Eco Rangers:
i. Eco Rangers will be onsite to make sure that environmental policies are being adhered to and to report any problems.
ii. The Eco Rangers will monitor the environmental status of the event and record environmental indicators as a part of the Sustainability Appraisal.
iii. The Eco Rangers will make checks on traders/crew and be present in all areas of the festival to make sure that attendees are not carrying out environmentally damaging activities.
iv. Eco Rangers will promote environmental initiatives at the event.

Traders and Crew Eco and Litter Bonds:
v. All traders and crew will be required to provide an Eco and Litter Bond before admission to the site. This will be returned once it is clear that environmental policy standards have been adhered to. A number of checks will be made by the Eco-Rangers before deposits are returned.

i. The organisers of the Sunrise Celebration will only ever seek partnerships with those we believe represent similar aims to their own, or with those whom, by working together, can provide a positive difference to the communities we represent.
ii. Our primary partners for 2009 and beyond include Transition Towns, Somerset County Council and the Soil Association.
• Sunrise considers itself to be In Transition, reflecting within its small temporary community the same challenges and changes being faced by permanent settlements across the UK and beyond. Sunrise believes in the Transition ideals and will be promoting the movement strongly, including a whole Transition focused day at the 2009 festival.
• Sunrise are working with Somerset County Council in the establishment of key long term aims. SCC are the first local authority in the UK to declare themselves a Transition Authority, which means they are committed to many of the same aims as ourselves. By working with SCC to share services, experience and knowledge, we believe we can positively influence the future of the local area and receive benefit from the resources available. We appreciate the positive work being carried out by SCC in the sphere of sustainability and through their support of the local festival culture.
• The Soil Association endorsed Sunrise in 2008 as an Organic Festival. We look forward to a continuing relationship with them, particularly as we seek to establish a permanent land base on organic soil.

i. We are committed, through our long term plan, to further reduce our environmental impact and improve our environmental standards each year.
ii. A Sustainability Audit will be undertaken each year to calculate our environmental footprint. This will inform our long term plan by identifying areas where improvements can be made and will test the sustainability of each event.
iii. We aim to develop clear targets for environmental standards against which we can measure the effectiveness of our environmental policies.
iv. A major policy objective is to reduce energy and water consumption and waste production. We are committed to improving our reduction standards and this will form a large part of our long term planning strategy.
v. Natural Communities CIC is also committed to setting aside 100% of its surplus profits to long term projects such as land stewarding, sustainable community projects and education.
vi. Sunrise Celebration is seeking to establish itself on a permanent land base over the next 2 years, whereupon it can put into place permanent eco-infrastructure, organic farming, resource development and a community project.