Bonnaroo Wins Eco-Award

Festival organizers shrug shoulders and say "Well, duh."

By Brian Creech

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has been given the "Outstanding Greener Festival" award for 2008 by the Awards Committee at A Greener Festival. <agreenerfestival.com> A Greener Festival considers themselves the arbiter of all things green in the live music industry around the world, and offers tips and research on how to green up your music life through its website.

The "Outstanding Greener Festival" is the highest accolade one can receive, and was awarded to Bonnaroo this year along with only six other festivals globally. Thirty-one festivals are considered for the award. 

"We couldn't be more pleased to receive this award," said Bonnaroo's sustainability coordinator Laura Sohn. "We put a lot of work into reducing the impact the festival has on the environment and it's nice to be recognized." 

In and official press release, organizers say," Recognizing that green issues are of paramount importance to the organization, its patrons, and the world at large, Bonnaroo is proud to present an event that is not only a good time, but also an example of an environmentally sound gathering that helps our planet remain hospitable to life." 

In order to up the ante in 2008, rumor has it that each band will share a drumset made from recycled tires, aluminum cans, and recycled paper mâché.