Music
05 Jun 08

Oxegen goes Carbon Neutral

Oxegen have announced that this year's festival has been awarded CarbonNeutral event status, making it Ireland's biggest ever CarbonNeutral event.

In keeping with World Environment Day (June 5), Oxegen organisers have announced that they have been working closely with The CarbonNeutral Company to look at ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions produced from the festival.

Meanwhile, Radiohead and promoters MCD are encouraging fans to cycle to the two Radiohead concerts this Friday and Saturday. For the first time at an Irish concert, a special bicycle park has been set up at Malahide Castle to entice fans to cycle to the show in order to reduce carbon emissions.

Oxegen's CO2 emissions are generated by energy use, waste, diesel and the artist, crew and fans' travel. Because an estimated 70% of emissions at Oxegen are associated with travel, festival goers are strongly urged to consider one of the public transport options to get to Punchestown for the festival in July (11-13). Bus Eireann will be running express services from destinations around the country and Dublin Bus will operate a shuttle service from Parnell Square. Car drivers can use the Oxegen Park and Ride site, and take the free shuttle bus to Oxegen. Those wishing to drive are encouraged to car share and as an incentive a free parking ticket is provided when you present four camping tickets at any Ticketmaster outlet.

A further 10% of CO2 emissions are attributed to waste that is unrecycled, i.e. landfill emissions. Landfill waste at this year's festival will be targeted with the introduction of the re-useable Eco-cup. Customers purchasing a drink at any of the bars can pay a €3 deposit for the Eco-cup for their first drink. When buying further drinks the customer exchanges their old cup for a new one at no extra cost and at the end of the night, they can either be exchanged for a full refund or taken home. Irish owned company Earthstream Bio Packaging will also be offering all Oxegen food vendors the opportunity to use bio-degradable packaging.

For more information, visit oxegen.ie or carbonneutral.com.

For information on traveling to Oxegen or Malahide Castle, visit buseireann.ie, dublinbus.ie or irishrail.ie.