AEG Presents has announced a series of new sustainability initiatives for this year's Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park.
Sustainable practices include achieving zero waste to landfill, ensuring all food packaging and cutlery is bio-degradable and a ‘leave no trace’ policy so every single item dropped in the grass is picked up by the litter team. A dedicated Green Team also works to maximise recycling rates, and 100% of the fuel used is from renewable sources.
As part of the work to eliminate single-use plastic, the event and partner Heineken will trail a new plastic-free paper cup made from plants, while all serve-ware provided by the event is 100% recyclable.
Senior event manager for AEG Presents Jenny Hamada said: “As a 10-day event with nearly half a million visitors each year we have a huge responsibility to deliver for our visitors, the local community and Hyde Park itself. We take this responsibility extremely seriously and work with our partner The Royal Parks year-round to build and implement positive initiatives.
"Whether you are a ticket-buyer, watching a free cinema screening, live down the road or run a business nearby, we strive to continuously improve the experience for all those involved with the event. Protecting the park and surrounding environment is also central to our planning and management. We work tirelessly to develop creative solutions to ensure that we are leading the way in the industry and being as green as we can be.”
BST Hyde Park returns this weekend with shows by Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder and Barbra Streisand, with Florence + The Machine & The National, and Robbie Williams to wrap up proceedings the following weekend.
The event also holds a four-day midweek event between shows, Open House, with free-to-enter activities, from July 8-11. Open House free movie nights, live music and entertainment, including an exclusive free live ambient performance by Sigur Rós, Liminal Soundbath.
The concert series was recently honoured by Outstanding Attitude Awards and secured Gold Status for Attitude Is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice, in recognition of its commitment to inclusivity and access for deaf and disabled people.
Facilities include three accessible viewing areas over two stages and roaming drinks vendors at The Great Oak Stage and The Barclaycard Stage, British Sign Language interpreters for all acts on The Great Oak Stage, accessible toilets at every toilet block, hearing induction loops, free personal assistant tickets for all ticket types and a dedicated access hub and entrance. All pre-event information is available in audio and easy read versions and there is a dedicated access customer service team available.
