I recognize you...weren’t you here last year?

You were talking to those guys in safari suits, you know, the ones that pick all the durry ends out of the sand. Yeah you were. I saw them give you a little container, could have been an Island Present, eh, eh? Empty you say? Oh, righto, for collecting your own butts. I geddit. That’s a good idea.

 ...nahh mate, I just put all my rubbish in whatever bin is closest. S’good enough innit? Least it’s not on the floor....Yeah, I saw them too, poor buggers, rooting through the garbage like pigs in mud, they were at it all day and all night....Ah mate, I didn’t know they did that cos of me. So you’re saying bottles and cans in the yellow bins? What about my mighty tasty burrito plate? You can’t recycle that goop....What, everything? You’re telling me everything that is sold by the food stalls can be composted? Then what ‘appens to it? Carrots and ‘fings? Grown from my old dinner plate?... Stellar effort I reckon’

‘Look, I’m not one for boastin’ but at least I’m doin’ somefing about it. I saw it on the telly, right, they reckon a music festival’s biggest effect on the environment isn’t all the whopping great speakers all over the shop using electrickery left right and centre, it’s us punters drivin’ to the event. Yeah, the electrickery for lights an’ sound an’ ‘nat, s’all powered by biodiesel anyways. Effical biodiesel. I saw the truck deliver it. Yeah, but I’m gettin‘ sidetracked...what was I sayin’? Yeah anyways, car travel, it makes up  two thirds of the events overall emissions. It’s an average right, but I mean, jus’ think about it. Some people come from Campbelltown! Nah mate, not me. You serious? I’m from West End. So, anyways, after watching dis’ ting on the telly I reckon I can do somefing. I’ll tell you wot I did....five of us crammed into my Subi Imprezza! Wiv tents an’ all! Worked out all right tho, Deano was squished up next to a right nice piece of strumpet, picked ‘er up from the ‘Ridel. Nah mate, not like that! Jayride, on the internet. Haven’t seen ‘im since, the cheeky blighter.’

‘Makes you fink tho, dunnit? I ‘erd last year they bought trees. Accosted me as I came in all bleary eyed they did. Chewed my ear ‘arf off wiv talk of offsettin’. Far as I can figure out, they do the maths an’ stuff, but basically the carbon, which they reckon is bad, well, they figure out ‘ow much I’ve released by getting ‘ear and puttin' on the festival, then I pay $3.20...Who knew trees were so expensive right? Anyways, they plant a tree which soaks up this amount of carbon as it’s growin’. Seems fair enuff, ‘spose. I wouldn’t even mind if it soaked up some extra, then my vego girlfriends‘ arse would be covered too.’*incomprehensible sound ensues, much like a hyena at the Rugby world cup, later construed as laughter*

‘So I reckon I’m doin’ my bit. My missus loves me for it anyway, bless. But I asks ‘er, ‘How ‘bout those guys who run the festival? What are they doin’ that’s so green anyway?’ Turns out she knows one of ‘em, right. Keepin’ it on the lowdown but she reckons they’ve got policies an’ ‘nat, they look after the swamp, you know, the one between the festival and the beach, next to the walkway, yeah? And the land they use, the council make ‘em do that much. If they don’t then it’s bye bye Island Vibe. Serious. She reckons, they reckon, last year they stored over 7,000 litres of grey water, just from people washing their ‘ands after they’ve been to the dunny! Can’t go into the water table, not right there. You never know what people ‘ave been doin’ wiv their ‘ands. Doesn’t bare finkin’ about eh’

‘Anyways, s’your round innit?.....I don’t believe it...it’s one of those funny little plastic cups wiv the funny Island Vibe face on. I seen ‘em everywhere...at me mates ‘ouses, where I work and now in the pub! That’s just cheeky innit? I ‘ad free of ‘em, kept forgettin’ ‘em at the Island Vibe bar and buyin’ anovver. I might just ‘ave to ‘arf inch this one. Keep an eye out, eh? Collectors items they are now, serious. Great for campin’. Much better than those paper ones anyway. I’ll be gettin’ anovver this year ‘an all.....Hehhehheh, yeah you’re right. Anovver four! Aye up, a toast then. To this years Island Vibe. ...and all that’s green in ‘er!’

This year’s Sustainability Information was gleened from a West End Geezer in an accurate but imaginary conversation overheard in the Pig and Whistle a week last Friday.

Eco Option 

Island Vibe is a festival that appreciates nature’s way of enabling us to get down and party in a beautiful part of the world. If you think about, the rubber used to make the tires on your car has been derived from trees, wood has been shaped and smoothed to create guitars and drums and hops and water have reacted to produce beer. Without nature Island Vibe would be very different! Invest in our eco option where an additional fee of $3.20 (suggested per ticket) goes towards reducing IV’s environmental impact in a way that YOU decide-will it be by planting native trees, investing in renewable solar energy, burning methane produced from landfills or funding companies to install efficent CFL lightbulbs in houses around Australia? Vote onsite or here.

Transport Survey

To find out our carbon footprint we need first to measure it. By taking less than a minute to fill out our transport survey you can help us decide future transport initiatives. Say you're a keen cyclist, but to get to Island Vibe you'd like someone to carry your luggage...tell us by taking part in the survey here.

Environmental Charities

Part of Island Vibe's commitment to environmental sustainability is encouraging charities and NGO's to connect and inform Vibers of causes particually dear to our heart. Rainforest Rescue will be on hand with all sorts of information about saving rainforests not only in Australia-our own amazingly diverse Daintree Rainforest-but aborad as well. If you ever wanted to help make more marine park, then you should sign the petition on hand with the Australian Marine Conservation Society or enquire about sustainable seafood choices. 

Of course there's another charity who are well known for their affinity for all things seaworthy, and the boys and girls from the Brisbane Sea Shepherd will keep you updated about all their campaigns which focus on Bluefin tuna, whales, sharks and dolphins as well as ongoing documentaion from the gulf oil spill. 

This year Island Vibe is paying special attention to carbon offsetting. To compliment this the Australian Youth Climate Coalition will also be around to empower you with knowledge about the upcoming Carbon Tax and what exactly it all means.

If you want to help us make Island Vibe greener; buy a fairtrade organic coffee, partake in our transport survey, visit our composting area and use a commemorative Island Vibe beer cup.