Keep it green at Download with our guide to a more sustainable #DLXXII
We’re always upping our climate game. #DLXXII is powered by 100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a palm oil free biofuel that has lower carbon emissions compared to regular fuel, which means in 2025 things are 100% fossil fuel free.
The Eco Campers are also back, while the Green Charter is aiming to cut carbon emissions in half by 2030. Eco Campers can find their Donington Zen with yoga and mindfulness classes.
Ditch the single-use plastic
We encourage Downloaders to bring their own reusable bottles and we’ll also be selling branded refillable bottles at the merch stalls which you can refill (for free) at the taps on site. At #DLXXII you can get your water canned.
Take your tent home
Using tents just for this weekend is a big no. It’s impossible for festivals to recycle and reuse all the camping equipment left behind so help us out by taking yours home.
Tent hasn’t survived the weekend? You can drop any broken tents off at our non-recycling bins at the recycling points. We also have donation points for unopened food tins at the AIR Hubs in the campsite.
Dispose of your waste in the right places
If you’re bringing cigarettes, please place them in the many non-recycling bins on site. If you’re bringing vapes, please make sure they’re reusable, If you happen to bring a single use vape onsite, please dispose of it in the vape bins provided at recycling points.
We’ll be teaming up with Every Can Counts who you can visit in District X for rewards including t-shirts and key rings in exchange for cans! Their recycling ambassadors will also be roaming around to collect cans and test your knowledge – get involved and you could win a pair of tickets to Download 2026.
As always, all paper cups, bottles and cans purchased in the arena have a 10p deposit which can be refunded on card (maximum limit of £25pp per day). Recycle Points can be found at Bars 1, 2 and 4.
There’s more people doing good on-site than ever before – from the awesome Green Team handing out clear and green bags to youth-led charity Climate Live spreading the word. You can head to a recycling station with your waste for a change to win tickets to next year’s festival, Download merch or a side-of-stage experience. Once you’re done with that pay a visit to Climate Live’s campaign stall for their temporary tattoos, bio-glitter and t-shirt printing workshop!
Get to know Greenpeace
Greenpeace will also be attending Download this year to share details on their campaigns and how they raise money for their work in defending the natural world and promoting peace. Find them just before the Co-op in District X to learn more about how you can help change the world for the better.
Donate Your Old Band Merch to Metal For Good
Head to The Preloved Pit drop off at the Information Point in District X where Downloaders can drop off their unwanted merch or alternative clothing to help the raise money for Metal For Good. Items can include:
- Band merch (any genre!) including t-shirts, hoodies, patches, pins, scarves, hats, etc
- Alt/goth/rock/metal clothing brands
- Denim/leather/fake fur jackets
Fuelled by the unstoppable energy of the metal community, Metal For Good gives grants to good causes that improve mental health, unlock young potential and amplify underrepresented voices.