CREATING CLEANER FESTIVAL CAMPSITES ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Camping Buddy is a free web app created by Green Music Australia in partnership with Queensland University of Technology. In 2020, the two organisations accepted a 4-year research and IT creation project grant from the NSW Environmental Trust to undertake a challenge, “How can we use technology to battle the nationwide problem of festival campsite litter?” Festival campsite litter is a major environmental problem. Research we commissioned shows more than half of the waste generated at music festivals comes from audience campsites. Broken tents, gazebos and other poorly made items are the primary cause. With 1 plastic tent being equivalent to 8750 straws, we need solutions that help encourage responsible behaviour and waste reduction. Using research, insights and findings from the wider festival sector and our official partners Byron Shire Council, Mullum Cares, Strawberry Fields, Lost Paradise and Splendour In the Grass, Camping Buddy was created – a new web app designed to make organising festival campsites a breeze; helping fans bring less, borrow more, connect with onsite initiatives, and, ultimately, cut down your waste.
With Camping Buddy users can:
◦ Make customisable packing checklists with their friends
◦ Use our recommendations on what to pack
◦ Keep tabs on who’s bringing what
◦ Access customised advice and communications from partnered festivals
◦ Source better quality gear
◦ Access tips for hiring camping equipment on site
◦ Discover resources and advice on camping sustainably
Camping Buddy is supported by Party With The Planet – an alliance of major music festivals, promoters, social enterprises, and nonprofits led by Green Music Australia aiming to reduce festival waste. Camping Buddy is funded by the NSW Environment Trust.