Sustainability
The OOtO festival event is a unique knowledge sharing experience and community gathering powered by solar, wind, people and vegetable oil - P.P.O. (Pure plant oil).
The event has a zero waste policy and attendees are encouraged to take home all of their waste. There are opportunities for communities and individuals to learn about climate change via presentations, workshops and local community groups.
The focus point of the festival site is a NEW stone circle which is dedicated to world peace. This circle encodes the rhythms of the Sun, Moon and stars and plays a part reconnecting people to their natural environment.
1) Contribution to the quality of the environment
- The Out of the Ordinary Festival site, makes good use of an otherwise wasteland site, and by doing so has already contributed to the regeneration of the land. This is planned to increase with Permaculture and wildlife projects being slowly introduced.
- We have a zero waste policy where we ask all attendees of the festival to take their waste home (including recycling). This empowers people and encourages them to be responsible for their own actions, to have respect for the space shared on the festival site and in turn the wider environment as a whole.
- All stall holders are requested to submit an environmental deposit, or eco-bond, (by cheque) that is returned to them on their departure from festival site at the end of the event providing their allotted space and surrounding area is clean of all rubbish and debris.
- The zero waste policy lowers carbon emissions as less fuel is used to collect and transport waste.
- Traders are encouraged to be green and where possible to use recyclable or compostable packaging. Therefore less waste to be produced and less pressure on the environment.
- All OOTO staff /volunteers and OOTO participants are made aware of our sustainability and environmental policies. Team members agree to comply with all eco and green procedures.
- Recycling points are visible on the site, with all waste transferred to local recycling depot.
- At the Out of the Ordinary festival site there are compost toilets. (in use at OOTO 2007 and more are in the making for the 2008) Made by a team of local carpenters. Almost all materials used are recycled from waste materials found locally!
- Compost loos have the benefits of using NO water (reducing use of this valuable resource) and NO chemicals. They are low impact on the land in fact they enhance it by making its soil richer! They are also beautiful to look at, usually blending in to the wildlife, enhancing the experience for the user!
- NO harmful chemicals will be used in the cafe or bar areas. Only the use of eco friendly products is permitted on the festival site.
- Power at the OOTO festival will be supplied by our own and other local solar power companies, wind turbines and Blooming Futures (Shoreham) generators; who convert diesel engines to run on Pure Plant Oil (PPO) the lowest impact road fuel. They also offer support for farmers wishing to produce fuel for local markets. They are the leading organisation in the south east converting engines and providing fuel. No petrol/diesel generators are permitted at the OOTO festival.
- Showers on site to be heated with renewable solar energy... a blessing for all campers!
- Minimal vehicle activity and efficiency of movement will be endorsed throughout the planning and taking place of the event.
- The use of Public transport and lift sharing to festival site for OOTO attendees is encouraged.
- All crockery and cutlery used in OOTO cafe will be washable and used time after time... all disposables will be kept to absolute minimum.
- Local organic vegetables to be supplied by a local company, Hankham Organics. Transportation of goods is lowered to a minimum, packaging is basic and fully recyclable, any waste can be composted and the food tastes great!
- Money is raised through car parking tickets to assist with our future tree planting project... this in turn encourages people to car share!
2) Contribution to social well-being
- OOtO fully support any local, or other, environmental projects, giving them a platform to engage with the local community. There are exhibitors from the Brighton and Hove Green Party, Brighton eco-village, Stanmer Organics Earthship Project, local campaigns and permaculture groups.
- OOtO is primarily a community family event, encouraging interaction, education and enjoyment.
- We have many local performers/speakers/workshop holders from Eastbourne, Hailsham, Brighton and the rest of Sussex. The festival provides a platform from which to network and communicate.
- Wood craft skills, wild food and alternative knowledge can be learned here.
- OOtO is set in the beautiful Sussex countryside and helps people to become more in touch with their local environment.
- Ethical traders, books and information on alternative renewable energy are available.
- A healing area for hands-on treatments, holistic therapies and yoga are available for all attendees to learn, enjoy and benefit from.
3) Contribution to the economy of the region
- OOtO provides jobs for local people and as it grows will provide a valuable networking event for green businesses in the South East and UK.
- The inevitable rise in interest and popularity of this event will bring more people to the area and therefore generating more wealth for local businesses and more opportunities for business to promote themselves to a target market.
- Retailers and accommodation providers benefit from the influx of festival attendees from across the UK
- Our direct use of local businesses (e.g. Hankham organics) and others, and our promotion of them aid the local economy.
- The festival stimulates the community, gives traders, businesses, groups, families and individuals a place to meet communicate and share ideas and knowledge, is a place of learning, healing and entertainment .... (Edutainment)
- This is a unique event that is a flagship for sustainable living!