What to do at festivals this summer7 July 2010
Dizzie Rascal and Bombay Bicycle Club are among the top acts at London's Lovebox festival. And - whisper it - Friends of the Earth will be there too.
Every summer we make it to a few festivals and talk to crowds of people about our work.
At Lovebox you'll find us in the Fringe Area where we'll be launching the latest phase of our Food Chain Campaign.
There'll also be free bicycle-powered phone chargers and fête-style fun and games.
If you can't make Lovebox, we will also be at the V Festival in August.
And remember, if you're going to a festival this summer, think about the environment.
To help you on your way, Friends of the Earth festival-experts have pulled together their top tips.
Drive me crazy
A massive source of carbon dioxide comes from the cars we drive to festivals. So think about public transport options. Any decent festival will have bus and train details on its website.
Take a reusable water bottle - it'll save money and take plastic out of landfill. Our choice for 2010 is Orla Kiely's recycled Wottle.
Reduce, reuse, recycle - and borrow
Thankfully it's now normal for a festival to have proper recycling facilities, so use the bins. If the recycling looks, well, rubbish, tell the organisers so they get their acts together next year.
Staying in a tent? Then why not borrow instead of buy? And please take it home afterwards.
A wind-up
For a range of solar-powered torches and other cool accessories, see the Friends of the Earth's shop.
Novelty clothing award
Festivals are the place to see weird and novelty clothing, which brings us to these wellies that claim to power your phone. Twelve hours of sweaty footwork for an hour of phone charge. Pity the wearer - and their roasting feet - on a sunny day. Not to mention the person who has to share their tent.
© Paul Glendell/Friends of the Earth
