Paléo reinforces its policy of respect for the environment
Aware of its responsibilities in terms of respect for the environment, Paléo Festival continues to search for solutions aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the event. Every year, the Festival fixes precise goals in order to take its ecological commitment a little further and to assert even more clearly its conviction that the “greening” of the event is a major priority.
Paléo encourages public transport
In 2010, with the help of the company Ecoservices SA, Paléo carried out an in-depth analyses of its carbon footprint. The results have revealed that the biggest cause of carbon emissions is transportation.
The festival invites everybody to use public transportation or to carpool whenever possible.
A major priority is the implementing of a public transport network that will allow as many people as possible to enjoy the Festival without travelling by car. Thanks to an improved offer in terms of trains and special bus services, organised in partnership the CFF, NStCM and the TCS, Paléo Festival has now made it possible for everyone to get home safely – and until late into the night - whether they live in Geneva, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Porrentruy or Brig. Between 2005 and 2010, the proportion of festivalgoers using public transport to get to the Festival site increased from 27% to 40%. Now, the objective is to maintain this percentage and to reduce the number of cars traveling to the festival.
Paléo sorts its waste
The Festival produced 241 tonnes of waste in 2010, or 803 grams per person present on the site. Thanks to the work of "Aspirators", 48% of this waste was recycled. The Festival would like to reach the target of 50% of waste sorted as from 2011. Made up of around 300 volunteers, the Aspirators team cleans the site and sorts all waste generated by the Festival. Dressed in green, they also clean the toilet facilities and make sure that the numerous dustbins around the site do not overflow with rubbish. This year, the Festival has made a point of increasing the number of glass recycling bins around the site.
Paléo uses green energy
Since 2006, Paléo has been committed to using 100% green energy. Since 2006, as part of a joint venture involving Romande Energie and the Services Industriels of Nyon, Paléo Festival has been using exclusively the “green” electrical current Vivonatur, certified Naturemade Star (a label supported by Pro Natura and the Swiss WWF), including supply to its permanent offices. Vivonatur is 100% renewable, contributes to a fund dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life in areas of production and provides financial support for the development of ecological sources of electricity.
Paléo takes care of your ears
The comfort of all those attending the Festival is very much dependent on the quality of sound on the site. In addition to its rigorous respect of Swiss legislation (ordinance on sound and lasers), the Festival has implemented different measures aimed at optimising the listening quality of festivalgoers. It also ensures that the public have access to quiet zones and relaxation areas. Earplugs are distributed free of charge in all the Paléo boutiques, at the various information desks and at the environmental information stall.
Goals
Paléo has set the following environmental targets:
- 40% of festivalgoers using public transport
- Reducing to 800 grams the amount of waste produced per festivalgoer and ensuring that a minimum of 50% of waste is sorted in 2011
- Reducing the consumption of energy to 710Wh per festivalgoer by 2011 and guaranteeing 100% green energy
- Reducing the consumption of water to 20 litres per festivalgoer by 2011
Here is a non-exhaustive list of concrete measures taken by the Festival in an attempt to reduce its environmental impact as much as possible:
Paléo encourages public transport
- Free trains and buses between Nyon and l’Asse
- Reduced fares for all, in all trains
- Each year, an improved night train service during the Festival week
- TCS buses to and from most towns in Western Switzerland
- Special buses at Lausanne and Geneva stations, providing services to various neighbourhoods in these cities
Paléo sorts its waste
- Installation of dedicated bins (Pet, Alu, waste, glass) all over the site
- Provision of waste reception centres for stalls to encourage sorting/recycling
- Ban on the distribution of flyers and samples by partners
- Introduction of a system of reusable drinking cups with deposit
- Communication and information material printed only on recycled paper
Paléo saves energy
- Use of economical lighting systems
- Installation of master switches enabling bars and other structures to turn off electrical current at the flick of a single switch
- Use of timers in certain electrical installations in order to optimise consumption
- Raising awareness amongst suppliers and other partners about the importance of using only class A equipment
Paléo saves water
- Use of water flow reduction devices.
- Introduction of dry urinals in certain zones.
- Systematic turning off of all urinals using water at closing time
Paléo takes care of your ears
- Regular control of noise levels during concerts
- Distribution of earplugs
- Quiet zones for relaxation around the site
