Every year, we work to make Download greener and cleaner, focusing on campsite waste and resources used.
We’re cutting single-use plastic across the site, donating £1 from every car parking pass to Trees for Cities and teaming up with Every Can Counts to encourage can recycling.
Plus, keep an eye out for our Green Team of 40 volunteers, who will be handing out recycling bags and offering rewards for sustainable actions.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Travel Sustainably
Travel makes up around 80% of the festival’s carbon emissions, so how you get to Donington matters. Choose lower carbon forms of travel such as trains and lift shares, or book your return journey with Big Green Coach.
2. Take your camping gear with you
Using tents for the weekend only is a big no. Invest in a decent tent that will last you the weekend and you can reuse it for years to come.
If you have any broken tents, chairs, gazebos and empty batteries, please take them to the Recycling Points in the campsites. Any non-perishable, unopened food or hygiene products can be donated at the Help Hubs after the festival.
3. Bring a reusable water bottle
Bring empty sports or metal refillable bottles of any size to refill at the water points for free. You can also buy Download branded bottles.
4. Dispose of rubbish in the correct bins & recycling points (and return your cups!)
All paper cups, cans and bottles sold in the arena have a 10p deposit included in the price – bring them back to a refund point in the arena and get your money back (minimum return 5 for 50p).
5. Choose Circular Camping
Pre-pitched camping with Circular Camping means you can turn up, drop your bags, crack open a drink and get straight into the festival — no lugging gear from the car, no fighting for space, and no late-night tent-building stress.
For more information, visit our ‘Sustainability at Download’ page.