Malvern Hills District Council encourages festivals and event organisers to operate with sustainability practices as a common goal to ensure the long-term vitality of the area.
MHDC has produced the following guidelines to improve sustainability at festivals and events in the district using best practice guildlines.
Vision Statement:
To host events that celebrate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Malvern Hills district/towns, fostering community engagement while minimising environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices.”
Sustainability Goals
- Environmental Stewardship
- Reduce Carbon Footprint: Prioritise low-emission transportation options and energy-efficient venues.
- Waste Minimisation: Implement waste reduction strategies, including composting and recycling.
- Conserve Resources: Utilise sustainable materials and reduce single-use plastics.
- Community Engagement
- Local Collaboration: Partner with local vendors, artisans, and organisations.
- Inclusive Participation: Ensure events are accessible and inclusive for all community members.
- Educational Outreach: Provide information on sustainable practices to attendees.
- Economic Support
- Support Local Economy: Engage local businesses and service providers.
- Sustainable Procurement: Source goods and services that align with sustainability principles.
- Transparency and Accountability
- Monitor Impact: Track and report on sustainability metrics.
- Feedback Mechanism: Gather attendee feedback to improve future events.
Action Plan for Sustainable Events
1. Planning and Coordination
- Venue Selection: Choose venues with green certifications and sustainable practices. For events on the Malvern Hills, adhere to the Malvern Hills Trust’s guidelines and obtain necessary permissions.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with local environmental groups such as Transition Malvern Hills and Malvern Green Space to integrate sustainability into event planning.
- Sustainability Officer: Appoint a dedicated sustainability coordinator to oversee the implementation of sustainable practices.
2. Pre-Event Actions
- Integrate sustainability goals into the event proposals, contracts, and policies.
- Develop a Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) with KPIs and measurable targets (e.g., waste diversion rate, carbon footprint).
- Sustainable Procurement: Source materials and services locally to reduce transportation emissions and support the local economy.
- Waste Management Plan: Implement strategies to minimise waste, including providing recycling bins and encouraging the use of reusable materials.
- Transportation Plan: Promote the use of public transportation, carpooling, and cycling among attendees.
- Community Involvement: and Social Legacy Engage local schools, community groups, and volunteers in event preparation and execution to ensure a longer-term positive social impact for local communities. For more details about training and support, please contact Victoria Carman via email [email protected]
- Marketing and promotions – various channels are available, including via the Visit The Malverns promotions, please contact [email protected] with your event information.
- Grant Support – grant support for large town centre events (criteria applies) is available Malvern Hills District Council, please contact Victoria Carman, the Visitor Economy and Towns Manager via email [email protected].
3. During the Event
- Zero-Waste Stations: Set up clearly marked recycling and composting stations to encourage waste separation.
- Sustainable Catering: Offer plant-based, locally sourced food options and minimise food packaging.
- Energy Efficiency: Use energy-efficient lighting and equipment to reduce energy consumption.
- Water Refill Points: Provide water refill stations to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles, in line with the Malvern Hills Refill Scheme .
4. Post-Event Actions
- Waste Audit: Conduct a waste audit to assess the effectiveness of waste management strategies.
- Community Feedback: Collect feedback from attendees and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement.
- Reporting: Publish a sustainability report detailing the event’s environmental impact and lessons learned.
Local Resources and Initiatives
- Malvern Hills Trust: Provides guidelines for hosting events on the Hills, ensuring environmental protection and compliance with local byelaws.
- Transition Malvern Hills: A community group focused on sustainability, offering resources and support for local initiatives.
- Malvern Green Space: Aims to establish a Climate Emergency Centre, hosting events and workshops on sustainability topics.
- Destination Zero Plan: A local initiative supporting community-led projects that contribute to carbon reduction and sustainability.
Implementation Timeline
| Phase | Actions | Timeline |
| Planning | Stakeholder meetings, venue selection | 3-6 months prior |
| Pre-Event | Procurement, waste management planning | 1-2 months prior |
| Event Day | Waste stations setup, energy-efficient practices | Day of event |
| Post-Event | Waste audit, feedback collection, reporting | 1 week after |
Health and Safety
In addition to sustainable measures requirement to be implements at festivals and events, event organisers need to adhere to event heath and safety, particurlary:
- Security/stewarding
- Food Hygience
- Emergency (Crisis) Management Planning
- Lost Child Policy
- Access to water
- Martyn’s Law (awaiting full guidelines)
- Public liability Insurance
- Risk assessments
Festival and event organisers need to contact Worcestershire Regulatory Services about a Temporary Event Notice T.EN.
Find out about Emergency Planning for tourism and events here.
For more information about hosting a festival or event in the Malvern Hills district, please contact Victoria Carman, Visitor Economy & Towns Manager at Malvern Hills District Council. [email protected]. Event planning and risk assessment documents are available for large events.
