Breakaway Music Festival Sets the Bar for Sustainability in 2024

Breakaway Music Festival has taken major strides in transforming the festival experience into a more eco-conscious environment. As the festival tours across the United States, including stops in California, Michigan, Florida, and North Carolina, Breakaway has made significant progress in minimizing its environmental impact. From carbon emissions to waste management, the festival is paving the way for a greener future.

A Powerful Partnership for a Greener Future 
To address the environmental footprint of large-scale festivals, Breakaway has teamed up with Zero Waste Event Productions, focusing on waste reduction through recycling, composting, and water bottle refills. This collaboration has had a substantial impact, enabling Breakaway to recycle thousands of pounds of materials in 2024. Here’s a breakdown of the impressive numbers: 
• 7,205.4 lbs of cardboard 
• 4,306.2 lbs of mixed plastic 
• 4,211.1 lbs of aluminum cans 
• 2,959.5 lbs of glass 
• 580.3 lbs of mixed material 
• 48.3 lbs of film/soft plastic 
• 2,194.2 lbs of food scrap composted  
 
In addition to recycling efforts, Breakaway has also contributed to local communities by donating 400 pounds of food to the ‘Food Not Bombs‘ organization and 200 pounds to local shelters, further solidifying their commitment to sustainability.  

The Power of Attendee Participation 
A key factor in Breakaway’s sustainability success is the active participation of festival-goers. By taking the initiative to recycle and reuse, attendees play a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of the event. Breakaway’s 2024 success shows that when everyone contributes, even the smallest actions can lead to significant results.  

Impressive Growth: Sustainability from 2018-2024 
Looking back at previous years, Breakaway’s sustainability efforts have come a long way since. From 2018 to 2024, the festival’s recycling efforts have drastically improved. In 2023, the overall recycled weight was 5,800.3 pounds, but in 2024, they managed to recycle over 21,905 pounds—an astounding 300% increase in just one year.  

CO2 Impact: A Massive Reduction in Emissions 
The environmental benefits of Breakaway’s recycling efforts extend beyond waste reduction. By diverting 21,905 pounds of materials from landfills, Breakaway has prevented approximately 35.49 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. To put this into perspective, that’s equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by 591 trees over 10 years, or the energy needed to fully charge 4,317,103 smartphones.

Looking to the Future: A Sustainable Legacy 
With their impressive achievements in 2024, Breakaway Music Festival continues to set the standard for sustainable festivals. Their partnership with Zero Waste Event Productions, the commitment of festival-goers, and their drive to innovate will help ensure that every year brings even more sustainable progress. As they look toward the future, Breakaway is on track to leave a lasting, positive impact on both the environment and the festival industry as a whole.