When it comes to music, culture and celebration, few events rival Reggae Sumfest. Every July, thousands head to Montego Bay for performances from reggae and dancehall greats alongside international acts. But beyond the music, Sumfest has been steadily growing its commitment to sustainability.
Launched in 2019, the Sumfest Sustainability Initiative began with an annual beach cleanup to reduce litter at Catherine Hall Beach, right beside the festival’s home at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex.
In 2023, the Esirom Foundation joined the effort, helping turn a simple idea into a broader programme. An on-water cleanup using Esirom’s waste-collector pontoon was added and the Sumfest Sustainability Digital Campaign kicked off with four clear messages: “Carpool Wid Yuh Crew,” “Bring Yuh Owna Tings,” “Keep Di Place Clean,” and “Recycle Yuh Plastic.”
Building on that, 2024 focused on community engagement. The Sustainability Corner at Family Funday engaged families and children in hands-on educational activities, and the Green Scholars Plastic Upcycling Competition challenged students across schools in St James to turn plastic waste into useful creations.
In 2025, the beach cleanup took a pause, but the work moved forward in a new way. Along with the Digital Campaign and Sustainability Corner, the Esirom Foundation carried out the festival’s first Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Using Esirom’s “Event Impact Tracker” app, the assessment spanned 4 main areas, measuring waste, transportation emissions, energy use and air quality across the event. From one-off cleanups to data-driven action aimed at long-term environmental change.
Why Sustainability Matters at Festivals
Large music festivals, and events generally, bring people together but they also concentrate travel, single-use materials and temporary power in a short window. Let’s touch on 3 main areas:
- Transport. Getting to and from the venue is usually the biggest source of emissions. Car trips, taxis and especially flights add up quickly. The easiest wins come from ride-sharing and shuttles.
- Waste & Plastics. Drinks and food service generate high volumes of cups, bottles, utensils, plates and packaging. If attendees don’t separate plastics into recycling bins, those recyclables are treated as garbage and end up at our disposal sites. Litter left on the ground is easily blown or washed into drains and waterways, adding to beach and marine pollution. Clear bin signage, reuse/refill programmes and vendor packaging rules make the biggest difference.
- Energy. Stages, lights, sound and air conditioning typically rely on diesel generators since grid access is limited. Using efficient fixtures and substituting renewable or grid power where feasible reduces fuel usage.
In Jamaica, waste remains the biggest opportunity and the part most directly within organisers’ and patrons’ control to reduce.
Learning From the World’s Greenest Festivals
Environmental impact assessments and sustainable event practices are already standard at leading festivals abroad. The Esirom Foundation team was inspired to bring this approach home to Reggae Sumfest and adapt it to local realities in Jamaica. Or, to flip the saying: “From abroad to yaad.”
Outside Lands (San Francisco). Diverted 89% of event waste and pushed vendors to use compostable serviceware.
Takeaway: set clear vendor standards and design bins/signage to keep streams clean.
Coldplay (Music of the Spheres tour). Reported a 59% emissions reduction using renewables, kinetic dance floors and pedal power.
Takeaway: get creative by combining audience engagement and clean energy to cut fuel use.
Paradise City (Belgium). Ran primarily on renewable power and offered electric shuttles to limit transport emissions.
Takeaway: use renewable energy where possible and make low-carbon transport the default, not the exception.
There’s no “copy and paste” solution. The lesson here is to choose high-impact actions that fit the venue, local infrastructure and audience, as well as back every new step with data.
So What’s Next?
Sustainable festivals are a shared effort. Organisers design the system and patrons make it work. Clear targets, a measured baseline, and high-impact, cost-effective actions should be prioritised. With budgets often tight, changes can be phased over seasons and supported by aligned sponsorships or in-kind partners. Shaping patron behaviour in Jamaica will take persistence, starting before gates open with pre-event messaging, and continuing on site with clear signage and a roaming “green team.” Then repeat the cycle, year after year.
Sumfest’s sustainability work is moving from ad-hoc cleanups to a measured plan. With the first Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) completed, the festival will publish results across four pillars: Waste & Plastics, Transport Emissions, Energy Use and Air Quality, and set targets for next year. The aim is straightforward: Reduce the festival’s impact step by step by making better choices easier for patrons, vendors and partners, while setting an example for events across Jamaica, large and small.
