EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS...

Festival-goers may help lessen their impact on the environment through small actions: for instance, by limiting their consumption of various resources such as paper and food, and reducing their production of waste and greenhouse gases.

Simple Consumer Choices

• Buy locally;
• Support regional economy and fair-traded products, thus limiting transport costs;
• Keep reusable bags at hand instead of plastic bags;
• Select larger size products as opposed to small individual containers;
• Use drinking water wisely. Recycle your water bottle or carry a canteen;
• Stay away from over-wrapped products;
• Look for reusable and recyclable products;
• Help organizers keep the Festival site clean by putting garbage into designated waste containers;
• Respect your natural environment.

Ecologically Sound Transportation Choices

• Choose the mode of transportation that best suits the commuting distance (by bus, bicycle, or on foot);
• Cut back on solo use of the car
• Whenever possible, try car pooling.

The International Balloon Festival’s Contribution to the Environment

• We introduced an environmental policy within the Festival offices;
• There will be no printed fliers this year, thus eliminating 250,000 leaflets. This decision helps avoid wasting 5 tons of paper, the equivalent of 75 trees!
• The Festival’s partnership with Compo Haut-Richelieu will see to the installation of recycling bins on the Festival site again this year. This 10-year association has resulted in the recycling of tons of material. In 2007, we collected 3,3 tons of recoverable material that was saved from landfill. We also pick up restaurant carton and paper board products.
• We expect to replace many of our golf carts with electric carts.
• We are purchasing bicycles for members of our volunteer brigade who circulate throughout the site, and encourage our staff to walk.
• A public service message will be issued between each Centre Stage show inviting people to recycle.
• Festival organizers have chosen to purchase biodegradable dinnerware.