Striving for Zero Waste!
Planning a successful zero waste event takes organization, teamwork and attention to detail. We strive to reduce our impact on the environment wherever possible through internal systems, practices and guidelines for patrons in an extensive “Leave No Trace / Leave It Better” Campaign for the 2023 event.
We are mindful of the environmental impact of the festival itself and all of our staff, performers and sponsors.
We encourage them all to be mindful of their impact on the environment.
By monitoring and tracking the festival’s environmental impact, we make adjustments and improvements each year to further reduce the festival’s environmental footprint.
Minimizing Your Environmental Impact at SONIC BLOOM:
There will be trash and recycle bin stations throughout the venue and campgrounds.
At your campground, please locate the nearest dumpsters and deposit your trash directly. Recycle bins will be there we well.
We have the r.Cup program in place this year. You will get one of these cups with every drink purchased at the festival, then please return used cups to our clearly labeled r.Cup Bins.
In case of inclement weather, please be mindful to stake down all camping equipment and secure eazy-ups to minimize broken gear. If you do have gear that breaks, please take it back home with you and dispose of there…please do not leave them on site.
You will pass our “Transfer Station” on your way out. All landfill can go in any dumpster you see while leaving the venue. You may bring your sorted recycling right to us along with any compost ( FOOD SCRAPS ONLY) you may have.
- Pack it in, pack it out: Bring reusable bags or containers to pack out your trash and belongings when leaving the festival.
- Utilize the provided free filtered dinking water refill stations and refill your personal reusable water bottles.
- Reduce single-use items: Refrain from using single-use items such as plastic water bottles, cutlery, and plates. Bring your own reusable versions instead.
- Use the designated recycling and composting bins provided we provide to properly dispose of all waste.
- Do not bring or use any glitter or confetti as these small items can have a significant impact on the environment and local wildlife.
- Please carpool or use public transportation along your way to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and decrease carbon emissions.
- Use environmentally-friendly transportation when traveling to and from the festival. Consider electric or hybrid vehicles.
- Use environmentally friendly products, such as biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent. Avoid using any aerosol products.
- Re-use your commemorative SONIC BLOOM drink cups & mugs (available at the café, bars & merch booth) all weekend long.
- Eat healthy, local, organic food from our diverse food vendors on-site.
- Respect the festival surroundings by staying on designated paths, not littering, trampling plants, or disturbing wildlife.
- Be a good land steward and clean your campsite upon your departure. No MOOP! (matter out of place).
- Consider offsetting your carbon emissions through carbon offset programs.
- Consider sustainable fashion choices, such as wearing clothing made from sustainable materials or buying secondhand clothing.
- Consider the environmental impact of your food choices, and look for our food vendors using compostable & or recyclable packaging.
- Donate leftover food to our food drive booth located next to the merch booth. Ww will donate it to our local Walsenburg, CO food banks, Dorka’s Circle.
- Avoid contributing to litter by not using balloons or other decorations that may end up as litter.
- Take advantage of educational resources and our permaculture & sustainability workshops at the festival to learn about sustainable living practices and how to live sustainably beyond the festival.
- Follow the lead of festival staff & volunteers, who will be modeling sustainable behavior & educating attendees on sustainable living practices site-wide.
- Remember to leave the festival site at least as you found it, or better yet, leave it in a better condition than you found it!
- Remember that every action can make a difference!
CHOOSING LOCAL
We strive to choose locally based companies for all of our events. From food and craft vendors, to our production staff, marketing team and many of the artists who perform at SONIC BLOOM, we are committed to giving back to the local community, and economy for every event we produce.
We have a page with embedded local Google Map that highlights some of our local businesses where you can stock-up on supplies on your way in and out of the festival HERE.
CARPOOLS, RIDE SHARES, AND BUSES
When you carpool or bus to a festival, you make life-long relationships. Help us help cut back on emissions, land impact and help ease our parking problems a little while you’re at it.
Find a ride / Offer a ride in the SONIC BLOOM 2023 Official RideShare!
RE-USE WHAT YOU USE
You can help us cut back on festival waste by providing your own coffee cups, water bottles and even dishware for the festival. Try and select compostable cups if you do need to bring a stash of “to-go” cups to the event. We will have composting areas on site, and the cups will be given back to the earth after the event is over.
Camping in Bear Country:
Most areas west of 1-25 are in bear country. When bears learn that people have food, they routinely visit camp sites, picnic areas and resorts in hopes of finding an easy meal. Here are some tips to avoid problems for yourself and the bears:
- Make sure there’s nothing to attract bears to your camp.
- Stash Your Trash. Use bear-proof containers when available. If they’re full, double bag trash and lock it in your trunk or RV. Never leave trash outside.
- Store Attractants Safely. Store food, beverages and toiletries in air tight containers and lock in your trunk. Many bears have discovered that coolers, bags and boxes are full of food; never leave them in your tent or anywhere a bear could see, smell or reach.
- Keep a Clean Camp. Bears are attracted to odors of all kinds and will investigate anything interesting in hopes of finding food.
- Keep a Clean Tent. Don’t bring anything with an odor into your tent—that includes all foods, beverages, scented toiletries, gum, toothpaste, sunscreen, candles, and insect repellant. Don’t sleep in the clothes you cooked in; store them with your food.
- Lock RVs and Vehicles. Close windows and lock your vehicle and RV when you leave your camp site and at night before you go to sleep.
Learn more: Be Bear Aware while Camping & Hiking in Colorado (state.co.us)
We try to mitigate both fire danger and littering as much as possible. Part of those efforts is to offer free Pocket Ashtrays to out patrons! Stop-by the Merch Booth or General Store and pick-up one of these SONIC BLOOM pocket ashtrays that are fire-proof so you can place a lit cigarette into it, putting it out and disposing of it in a safe and clean way for later depositing into the trash!
Many thanks for helping to keep Hummingbird Ranch butt-free!
