Sustainability
Caring for the world we celebrate.
WOMADelaide is committed to protecting our home in Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla and leaving a positive footprint on the planet. Since becoming the first major Australian festival to implement a multiple bin system in 2001, we have consistently pushed the boundaries of event sustainability to create a greener, fossil-fuel-free future.
With the privilege of using the beautiful park comes a responsibility to look after our environment. Century-old Moreton Bay Figs and hundreds of other trees provide a canopy of shade on hot summer days, with vast lawns and endangered flora spreading over the 34-hectare park. We take pride in doing as much as possible to protect the park (extreme weather conditions notwithstanding) and to return it to near-perfect condition after each festival. Alongside our commitment to the park, we’re also leading the way in reducing our environmental impact with groundbreaking initiatives implemented and improved year after year.
Our Green Milestones
100% Renewable Stages
Since 2026, all stages are powered entirely by 100% renewable energy – setting a new benchmark and becoming South Australia’s first festival to achieve this – using sustainable B100 biodiesel and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) made from organic waste. The success of this initiative demonstrates that the outdoor events sector can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and continue to lower its total emissions.
Zero Waste to Landfill
We consistently divert over 99.5% of event waste from landfill by mandating fully compostable food packaging, cups, and utensils, and saving the equivalent of 46,488 single-use 600ml plastic bottles each year through our partnership with SA Water.
Thanks to our dedicated Cup Squad team of volunteers, supported by Bettercup, in 2018 we moved to providing re-usable cups at all bars, which expanded to entirely eliminating the sale of single-use plastics from all stallholders and vendors in 2020. In 2025, over 160,000 single use cups, representing over 870kg of plastic waste, were prevented from entering the waste system. Every cup you use at the festival is washed and re-used as much as possible and collected at the end of the event to be used at the next festival (or other festivals and events across the country). WOMADelaide audiences provided invaluable assistance by returning over 90% of the cups they used at the festival over the weekend.
The WOMADelaide Forests
For every ticket sold, $3 is invested directly into our tree-planting partnership with Greening Australia. This program has already restored over 149 hectares of native biodiverse forests across South Australia in Ngarrindjeri, Peramangk and Nauo Country.
The WOMADelaide community’s contribution is making a noticeable difference even in young plantings, with bird species returning in growing numbers and increasing insect and plant diversity.
The largest planting site of 50 hectares is located near Langhorne Creek between the Ferries-McDonald Conservation Park and the Bremer River. This restoration site has now matured into a functioning mallee woodland, which at last count was supporting 70 bird species, including rare and threatened bird species like the Hooded Robin and Diamond Firetail.
Learn more about Greening Australia’s work around the country by visiting their website or even register your interest in hosting a WOMADelaide forest on your property.
Eco-Conversations That Matter
Come for the music, stay for the ideas. The Planet Talks is our dedicated ecological and conversational which amplifies vital global conversations, bringing together leading scientists, activists, and changemakers to inspire real-world climate action on and off the festival grounds.
For over a decade The Planet Talks has served as WOMADelaide’s hub for environmental ideas, live debates, and climate solutions. Discover the lineup and past Planet Talks podcasts here.
At Every Stage
During production, where possible, we use alternatives to disposable cable ties including re-usable ties. In 2023, we introduced ACE Outdoor board onsite, a 100% compostable product used for signage that requires updating. Where possible we retain wayfinding and site signage for re-use for several years.