As a large-scale cultural event we’ve a role to play in influencing audience behaviours and attitudes, which we address through strong programming and clear communications. We strive to improve year on year, and we continue to work with stakeholders, service providers and audiences to be as environmentally responsible as possible, through both practical and holistic actions.
We work to high environmental standards throughout our production practices and partnerships as well as our programming and we aim to be the most ‘net-positive’ gathering possible.
A Sustainable Programme
Our Festival theme, From the Seabed to the Sky, is our guide in helping us connect with nature and is weaved through our festival programme. We curate activities that inspire, intrigue, and engage.
Planet Positive is a zone full of hands-on information about our climate and environment. The Power Positive zone explores the role of renewables in our energy sector, and our Opening Parade, Five Fathoms Deep! is all about the marine biodiversity off Lowestoft’s shores.
Waste
We work hard with the team at East Suffolk Services to keep the beach and site as clean as possible. They’re also on the beach showing festival goers how their recycling is managed.
The paper used to make our brochure is 100% recycled on FSC accredited paper and carbon balanced through the World Land Trust and printed using a Suffolk carbon neutral printer, with vegetable based inks. Our Festival signage is re-used year after year where possible, and if it can’t be re-used, it’s recycled.
Waste
Our epic team of volunteers undertake litter picks each day and this year we’re working with Suffolk Beach Cleans to be extra vigilant. Our vendors use recyclable packaging and no single use plastic bottles. This year we are implementing a recycle cup scheme for the bars to reduce plastic use even further.
Power
We used zero diesel in our generators in 2024 and 2025 and we created 81.4kw of solar power – over 25% more than previous years – which powered all the marquees on the beach. We’re always pushing and trialling the available technology, such as battery powered amps for smaller venues, to try and improve.
Travel
We actively encourage festival goers and our artists to travel on foot, bicycle, and public transport! Most of our audiences are local with nearly 60% within 4 miles. Greater Anglia see an uplift in rail passengers to Lowestoft over the festival weekend and run an extra train to get people home on Saturday night. In 2024 there were 24% more passengers than in 2023.
The Way to Go team will be joining us on the beach this year and they can show you interesting ways to get about the county!
Parade
Our parade workshops with groups and schools uses recycled materials, we reuse the décor every year, and we repurpose as much as we can for every event.