SUSTAINABILITY
SUSTAINABILITY IS A FUNDAMENTAL VALUE IN OWN SPIRIT FESTIVAL. WE BELIEVE THAT INTEGRATION WITH NATURE IS INDISPENSABLE TO FULFILL THE CATHARTIC AND CONSCIOUS EXPERIENCE THAT THE FESTIVAL PROPOSES. THAT IS WHY WE ARE COMMITTED TO RESPECT AND CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IN ALL PHASES OF THE FESTIVAL.
MISSION
ACT TO TRANSFORM
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CARE
From Own Spirit Festival we are fully aware of the possible impact of the event on the environment. That is why we adopt and adapt our actions to be able to repeat the experience for many years and in a sustained and sustainable way over time. We not only want to be an engine of change on our own project, but our mission is to be an example of a sustainable event that inspires other projects to replicate this experience.
Our policy in relation to the environment is to leave no trace, and is based on the reduction of the ecological footprint. In the 2018 edition we carried out a sustainable action plan calculating all the carbon emissions generated: the result was 6.48 t of CO2.
In order to reduce and even compensate for these emissions, four types of actions are carried out:
– Sustainable use of resources
– Sustainable waste management
– Environmental awareness and responsibility
– Plantation of enough native trees to compensate for the CO2
Throughout all previous editions, a series of measures have been implemented that we summarize below:
Waste management system based on recycling
Construction of ecological toilets that allow creating compost
Material reuse and use of compostables
Team of volunteers to raise awareness and inform about sustainability measures
Use of non-polluting natural environment materials
Creation of infrastructure with bioconstruction techniques
Promotion of ecological cleaning and hygiene products
Consumption of zero kilometer food products and local production
MORE SPECIFICALLY, IN THIS LATEST EDITION OF 2019 IT IS WORTH MENTIONING, IN ADDITION TO WHAT HAD BEEN DONE IN PREVIOUS EDITIONS, THE FOLLOWING POINTS:
ALL THE BATHROOMS IMPLEMENTED, INCLUDING SOME ADAPTED FOR PEOPLE WITH FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY AND CHILDREN, HAVE BEEN ECOLOGICAL: WITHOUT THE USE OF CHEMICALS OR WATER, BEING THE FIRST FESTIVAL IN SPAIN (SECOND IN EUROPE) THAT HAS LAUNCHED IT.
A SYSTEM OF SOLAR PANELS IN OPERATION MONTHS BEFORE THE CELEBRATION OF THE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN USED TO PROVIDE ESPECIALLY PRE-PRODUCTION AND POST-PRODUCTION TASKS.
A SPECIAL EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE, BEYOND WHAT IS LEGALLY ESTABLISHED BY THE ADMINISTRATION, TO COLLECT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ORGANIC FRACTION. IT HAD A VERY POSITIVE EVALUATION OF LOW LEVEL OF IMPROPRIETY, TO THE SELECTIVE COLLECTION OF PACKAGING, PAPER-CARDBOARD AND GLASS.
RECYCLABLE AND REUSABLE ORGANIC MATERIALS HAVE CONTINUED TO BE USED IN ALL THE STRUCTURE BUILDING ELEMENTS OF THE FESTIVAL.
THE POLICY OF FAVORING THE INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL PRODUCERS AND SUPPLIERS, AND OF FOOD SERVICE WITH VEGAN OPTIONS, HAS BEEN MAINTAINED.
THE COLLECTIVE TRANSPORT SYSTEM (BUSES AND “CAR SHARING”) HAS BEEN IMPROVED AND OPTIMIZED.
THE LINE OF ACTIVITIES, WORKSHOPS AND HEALTH AWARENESS HAS BEEN REINFORCED (HOLISTIC ZONE).
THERE HAS BEEN A TOTAL ABSENCE OF PERSONAL OR GROUP INCIDENTS AMONG ATTENDEES.
THE NEW CHALLENGES FOR THE OWN SPIRIT FESTIVAL 2022 EDITION ARE:
Lowering the price of collective transport to promote the most sustainable option of access to the festival.
Plantation of 30 olive trees throughout the festival to improve the offer of shadows and creation of green areas.
Construction of enough dry toilets to supply the entire festival with bioconstruction techniques.
Increase and improvement of green areas to offset CO2.
THE HOLISTIC LOOK OF SUSTAINABILITY
CARING FOR PEOPLE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
TAKING A STEP FURTHER, WE WANT TO INCLUDE CARING FOR PEOPLE AS AN INDISPENSABLE PART OF THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY: HENCE THE RAISON D’ÊTRE OF THE FESTIVAL, A PLACE WHERE WE CAN TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND OF EACHOTHER AS A TRIBE, THROUGH DANCING, WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES, SPACES FOR FAMILIES AND BEING IN TOUCH WITH NATURE.
FROM THE FESTIVAL WE OFFER SERVICES ORIENTED PRECISELY TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL TAKEN CARE OF. WE ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIAL NEEDS THAT ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME TO ENJOY THE EVENT MAY HAVE, WE ARE OPEN TO LISTEN TO THEIR NEEDS.
IN ADDITION, WE ARE AWARE THAT PART OF TAKING CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT, IS TAKING CARE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH NEIGHBORING POPULATIONS. MAINTAIN A FLUID COMMUNICATION AND REVERSE IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY, ARE PART OF OUR COMMITMENT.
SENSITIZE TO EXPAND
SUSTAINABILITY IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS
The educational dimension regarding to how we take care of the environment and the people, is another of the elements that we consider important and which must have a response from the organization.
We are committed to involve all festival participants: public, organization, workers, artists and volunteers.
It is through publications on Social Networks and the web before the festival, and with posters, activities, workshops and training during the event, that we send messages on how to act responsibly to become a sustainable festival. Our intention is that those who participate in Own Spirit Festival, return home more aware of the impact we have on the environment and the planet.
We understand that sustainability is achieved by being conscient of our consum, being respectful towards nature and having coperative and caring relationships. Every day we grow more in this sense and both the public and the organization are key to becoming a sustainable festival.
PROJECTS
Own Spirit Land: a sustainable landscaping project
The Own Spirit Land project has as its vision and mission a long-term purpose that goes beyond the duration of the festival.
Nature shows us the way to continue improving and generating new synergies that allow us to build our home. The same environment offers us the materials to realize, little by little, the basic structures necessary to organize different initiatives, providing the opportunity to apply different methods of bio-construction and permaculture.
We are committed to the need to respect and care for the privileged environment in which, since 2018, Own Spirit Festival takes place. For this we prepare a landscape and sustainability plan.
One of our goals for this year 2022 is to apply different techniques of bioconstruction and permaculture for the supply of dry baths throughout the festival and the improvement of the composting system from organic waste.
We also seek through creativity added to these techniques, which manifest works of land-art and gardens, shaping areas of rest, recreation and social exchanges. Specifically, 30 olive trees will be planted strategically, to obtain medium-term shadows in the areas that are considered priority, and the creation of green areas and organic gardens in several spaces will be promoted.
With this formula we want to promote our landscaping and sustainability plan and we would love to enlarge our Landmark Own Spirit family. Therefore, we offer our physical space to projects related to sustainable landscaping, permaculture and bioconstruction, of those who are interested in contributing to our project, or looking for a space to develop their own.
You can contact us and send your questions or proposals to: land@ownspiritfestival.org
AWARDS
In the last two editions, 2018 and 2019, the Own Spirit organization has received recognition for its continuous efforts to improve and care for the environment and for sustainability with the international award A Greener Festival.
