SUSTAINABILITY AT THE VILUS FESTIVAL

At the third edition of the Vilus Festival, we are committed to sustainability and protecting the environment. La Palma, as a Biosphere Reserve and natural area of great value, deserves to be cared for and preserved. We believe that culture and ecological awareness can go hand in hand, which is why we are implementing a series of measures to reduce our environmental impact and promote good practices among attendees, artists and suppliers.

Our Sustainability Plan is a working strategy that we design each year to promote environmental awareness and the circular economy, and to take another step towards holding an event that is as sustainable as possible.

Sustainability is understood as meeting the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic growth, respect for the environment and social well-being.

The concentration of people during cultural and musical events such as the VILUS FESTIVAL can generate a significant amount of waste if its management is not properly planned, both in terms of its purchase and use, as well as its subsequent recovery and separation for recycling.

At the Vilus Festival, through our sustainability plan, we work on the premise that the best way to manage our waste is to avoid generating it in the first place.

• We use reusable cups.
• Containers are not provided to attendees.
• We minimise the use of packaging.
• We reuse decorative materials.
• We recycle tarpaulins and promotional materials, giving them a second life.
• We separate waste into containers for recycling.
• We avoid the use of plastic.
• We encourage the use of recycled and recyclable materials.
• We train our staff in waste minimisation management.
• Digitisation with the aim of reducing paper usage.

Travel to Los Llanos de Aridane, where the Vilus Festival is held, generates atmospheric pollutant emissions, traffic problems and overcrowding, among other impacts. It is therefore essential to implement the following measures:

• We encourage car sharing among attendees.
• We provide additional public transport (buses) during the day of the festival.
• We efficiently manage artist transfers and all our travel arrangements.
• We reduce travel by hiring local professionals and accommodating most of the artists and work team in Los Llanos de Aridane and the valley, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.
• We use 7- and 9-seater shared vehicles to transport the organisation and artists. This reduces the number of vehicles on the road and pollutant emissions.
• We calculate and offset the emissions generated by travel by car, boat or aeroplane by both artists and the organisation.
• The organisation uses hybrid or electric vehicles to raise awareness.

The consumption of water, electricity, fuel and its impact on the territory where the Vilus Festival takes place is measured and assessed each year with the aim of minimising it in subsequent editions.
Reducing electricity consumption is a challenge we set ourselves every year. To this end, we analyse our electricity bills, calculate our consumption and propose measures to reduce it.
Furthermore, we are aware of the water stress alert situation affecting our islands. Getting involved in reducing our ecological footprint, saving water and raising awareness among our public about this situation is key to leaving future generations a better-preserved territory.

• Sound checks are scheduled during peak hours in the village to avoid disturbing residents.
• Most of the activities and concerts take place during the day to reduce energy consumption from lighting the venues.
• We use LED lights and energy-saving bulbs to minimise consumption.
• We endeavour to ensure that a significant proportion of our electrical appliances are energy efficient.
• We provide our team and our partner companies with measures to reduce discomfort caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises and bright lights.
• We use bottled water in cardboard packaging.
• Biodegradable products are used to clean portable toilets in order to prevent water pollution.

Survey: Are we sustainable?

Involving everyone in the sustainable management of the Vilus Festival is key to achieving our sustainability goals. Without your collaboration, it would be mission impossible. Knowing what you think is important for improving each year, minimising our impact and being as sustainable as possible.

We will provide attendees with an email address where they can send suggestions and evaluate the measures associated with the sustainability plan.