Zero Waste 

The cornerstone of our zero waste efforts are our Waste Reclamation Stations. Rockstar Volunteers aid at the Stations, helping attendees to properly sort into labeled bins. Four bins capture the bulk of the waste: Compostables, Food and Organic, Mixed Recyclables, and Trash. Trash bins are only be used for things that attendees have brought from home. Everything provided at the festival is either recyclable, compostable or upcycled into organic fertilizer! 

 

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) plays a key role in Rock the Green's zero waste loop. Rockstar Volunteers collect food scraps throughout the day and take them to our RTG commercial-grade food grinding stations. Scraps are ground in the disposals to create a slurry and housed in holding tanks which are transported to MMSD post-event. MMSD then captures the methane generated from food waste and turns it into energy to power the MMSD facility and feeds microscopic organisms used in wastewater treatment that is turned into Milorganite (derived from MILwaukee ORGAnic NITrogen) which is sold nationwide. Environmental stewardship is central to MMSD and Milorganite operations. After 90 years, they are one of the nation’s oldest and largest recycling programs.

 

 

Water

Your ticket to Rock the Green Sustainability Festival includes a free, refillable aluminum water bottle from. Free, freshwater stations using filtered municipal water are located throughout the event. Plastic water bottles are not sold. Employees of Badger Meter have volunteered their time to refill bottles during the event from these water stations.

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Energy

Rock the Green is be powered by a combination of B20 biodiesel generators, solar power and bicycle power. Light emitting diode (LED) products are used to minimize the energy consumption of stage lighting and to power the video screen. An LED Jumbotron projects the bands live performance and showcase environmental education videos from Rock the Green partners during set changes.

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The Eco-Kids Stage is powered by solar energy.

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After sundown, LED lights minimize energy consumption, including LED lanterns for ambient lighting. Rockstar Volunteers and security staff use LED flashlights to navigate the festival. 

 

The Festival is powered with generators that are fueled by bio-diesel to help power the stages and interactive areas. A guided behind the scenes Zero Waste Tour showcases our sustainability efforts to attendees.

 

Our third stage featuring Wisconsin bands is powered by pedal power with local cycling teams providing their leg power for the sound and lights.

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Transportation

Carpooling, public transportation and bicycling are all encouraged - and rewarded. 

Milwaukee County Transit System stops are located throughout Walker’s Point for easy public access the festival grounds.

 

Ride into the festival in style! Bublr Bike Share stations are located throughout the city if you want to bike to the grounds.  A free bike valet hosted is available for fans who ride to Rock the Green on their own bikes.

 

Don't forget online ride-share programs like ZimRide.com that help festival goers reduce emissions by carpooling. If you need a ride or can give a ride, it is carpool central!

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Event Merchandise, Food and Product Sourcing

Rock the Green uses a paperless ticket system through a partnership with Eventbrite. 

Rock the Green sells its signature upcycled and organic tees on-site. Rock the Green even sources eco-friendly credentials and lanyards for VIP, sponsors and the bands.

 

Compostable servingware for event attendees, backstage, fan and sponsor VIP areas.

 

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) banner material reduces the carbon footprint of the signage by more than 80 percent. Rock the Green reuses as much of the signage as possible. Big Systems coordinates eco-friendly printing on their machinery and recycles all of the signage that cannot be reused through HP’s large format sign take-back program.  And, during the festival, no paper brochures or flyers are distributed by organizers, exhibitors, or vendors.

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Overall Operations

The Rock the Green team is proud of the sustainable practices used in the planning of the Sustainability Festival and the day-to-day business of our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. From limiting the use of printed material, to reducing, reusing and recycling office materials, Rock the Green’s directors and many volunteers strive to incorporate the 3 R’s into work habits on a daily basis. These practices are amplified at our events through holistic planning methods.

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Rock the Green has earned the Travel Green Wisconsin Certification for sustainability practices and as a green destination.