OUR MISSION
Our sustainability mission is both simple and bold. We are looking to harness the power of our musical community to transform our world. We need to go beyond “leaving nothing but footprints” and work together to create a real legacy of positive social and environmental impact. Our Green Vibes Initiatives outline the specific actions we’re undertaking as producer and host of the event, and specific ways the Vibe Tribe can work with us to maximize our positive impact and bring about meaningful change.

As we plan to make Gathering of the Vibes XV the greenest Vibes yet, we’re continuing to focus our energies on reducing our carbon footprint and further expanding our recycling and composting program to bring us closer to our ultimate goal of being a zero-waste event. Our emphasis will continue to be on taking action to address the harsh realities of global climate change and reducing our waste generation through the efficient and thoughtful use of our dwindling resources. This year we will again be using carbon offsets sufficient to offset our conventional energy use to make the festival “carbon neutral”. Volunteers will be onsite providing information on how, by joining our Green Vibes Carbon Cutters team, we can join together to reduce our overall carbon footprint. Embracing renewable energies such as wind, solar, bio fuels and small hydro are tangible things we all can do to make a real difference now. Our musical community has an opportunity, and even a responsibility, to demonstrate our leadership in this area and to set an example for others to follow as we continue on this journey together.

2009 GREENING ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
With your help, the Gathering of the Vibes made great strides toward
reducing our ecological footprint in 2009

Extensive Recycling and Composting Program
in partnership with Clean Vibes:
• Replacing disposables with compostables through implementation of comprehensive composting program with all food and beverage vendors
using only compostable products.
• 4000 pounds of compost was collected and sent to a local farm.
• 18,000 pounds of recycling was gathered and kept out of landfills.
• 39,000 returnable cans and bottles were collected.
• Clean Vibes Trash Talker educational teams on-site
• Partnership with Community Energy to offset our conventional onsite and office electricity usage
   by obtaining renewable energy credits.
• Sourcing of more than x% of power from the grid, enhancing the impact of our carbon offsets
• Switchover of Vibes Office to 100% Clean Energy Option
• Solar-powered Cell Phone Charging Station
• Launch of the Green Vibes Carbon Cutters, our Carbon Reduction Team
• Extensive Mass Transit and Carpooling Options Provided: Seaside Park is within close proximity
   to buses, trains and ferries. Shuttle buses are available for those staying at nearby hotels.
• Sustainable Vending and Catering Practices
• Vendor Donation of Unused Food to Local Food Banks and Soup Kitchens
• Eco-friendly & Organic Merchandise
• Artist Participation
• Green Sponsors
• Educational and Awareness Opportunities for Attendees, including our Social Action and
   Renewable Energy Panel  Discussions held on the Green Vibes Stage.
• Event Programs were printed on abc using xyz inks… (were they printed on recycled paper
   with soy-based inks, etc.?)

 
Greening Tips for Festival-goers:











Know Before You Go
• Consider buying food from local farmers’ markets or bringing it from your own garden.
• Before your arrival, repackage all of your food into reusable containers.
• Bring re-usable cups, plates, napkins, etc. This will cut down on the amount of trash, recycling
   and compost you  produce at the festival.

Trash Your Trash
• Re-use is the name of the game! Try to re-use your plates, utensils, cups, etc.
• Secure your campsite belongings well to reduce wind blown trash and litter.
• Separate your waste into categories for trash and recycling.
• Do your part to help clean up any litter that you see during the festival. Be a model for others.
• After the festival, pack out everything you brought with you. Leave the area as nice or better
   than you found it.

Leave It as You Find It
• Leave plants, rocks and other natural objects as you find them, so others can enjoy them.
• Turn off faucets and showers when finished to save water.

Be Careful With Fire
• Use a camp stove for cooking. Stoves are easier to cook on and create less impact than a
   fire (camp fires are NOT   allowed at GOTV).

Be Considerate of Others
• Respect the community that you are visiting. By being a model festival-goer, you can ensure
   that the Bridgeport   community will welcome us back for years to come.
• Follow the golden rule of festivals: treat other attendees and locals as you would want to be treated.
• Establish a clean and green camping community! Collaborate with other nearby campers to
   share your resources and   to Leave No Trace in a fun and festive manner!

This copyrighted information has been reprinted with the permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. For more info contact Leave No Trace at 1-800-332-4100 or visit http://www.LNT.org

Greening Partners:

Clean Vibes www.cleanvibes.com
Community Energy www.newwindenergy.com/vibes
The Solar Bus www.solarbus.org
The Cell Motion Biobus www.biobus.org