Working together towards a Zero Waste Future. 

At WOMAD Aotearoa, our unwavering commitment is to foster an environment that inspires individuals to embrace the ethos of reduce, reuse, and recycle!  
Rooted in the heart of our festival is the Zero Waste philosophy, a guiding principle that shapes our endeavors. We are dedicated to ensuring that our award-winning festival not only celebrates international culture but also stands as a beacon of environmental sustainability. 
In a nation where single-use plastic shopping bags are banned, and communities are increasingly urged to adopt practices of reducing, reusing, and recycling, WOMAD Aotearoa takes pride in spearheading the evolution of waste management in New Zealand. 

Every year, we surpass our previous achievements. Over the last five festivals, an average of 80% of  waste was diverted from landfills, with an impressive 90%—equivalent to 23,060kg—of waste recycled or composted following the 2018 festival alone. Our ultimate ambition is to transform into a festival where no waste finds its way to landfills. 
From attendees to performers, from food vendors to beverage stations, each of us contributes to making WOMAD an event that promotes and empowers the reduction of the festival’s environmental impact. 
Throughout the picturesque Brooklands Park, highly visible Zero Waste stations dot the landscape during the festival. Our dedicated volunteer eco-warriors assist festival-goers in composting and recycling as much waste as possible. We encourage attendees to bring only reusable items and take any non-recyclable items home. 

At our on-site bars, only globelets are used, and all food stalls serve their delectable offerings on reusable, recyclable, or compostable plates, cutlery, and packaging. If you’ve attended WOMAD before, chances are you own a globelet (reusable cup), a reusable aluminum drink bottle, or a coffee cup—or perhaps all three! Not only are these items durable and capable of serving you for years, but they’ve also become sought-after collectors’ items in their own right! 
By embracing these practices, you contribute to our collective goal of minimising waste destined for landfills. 

Join us in making Zero Waste easy!