Press Releases

Green is Our Favourite Colour!

May 27th, 2011

Burlington ON (May 26, 2011). Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival is Green all the way.

Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival’s Eco Team is a group of dedicated individuals that work with a number of volunteers throughout the duration of the Festival.

The Festival is concerned about the environment and would like to do as much as possible to do our part. The team and its volunteers has been successful in diverting over 80% of the 15 tonnes of waste and also plays a great role in educating the community, providing alternatives to driving (shuttle bus and bike corral), and alternatives to water bottles (water stations and the
sale of reusable containers).

The participation and contribution of our individual volunteers, the Eco Team members, and other groups, such as Burlington Green and Scouts are vital to the sustainability and reduction of the Festival’s ecological footprint. The duties include sorting the recyclables and
compostables out of the waste to ensure they don't end up in a landfill site.
THE FESTIVAL ECO FACTS
1. The Festivals Eco Team manually sorts close to 15 tonnes of litter in 4 days! That’s the size of 3 huge African elephants standing 4 meters tall
2. The litter is sorted manually by collecting all the filled garbage bags, breaking them open, and removing
all the recyclables (bottled water, pop cans, glass bottles, drink boxes, etc.) all the compostables (french fries, hamburgers, funnel cakes, popcorn, paper plates, paper napkins, etc.)
3. Once all this sorting is completed, over 80% of the litter is recycled or composted – in 2011 we hope to raise the bar to 85%
4. This is only achieved through the efforts of over 150 dedicated environmentally conscience volunteers from our local and surrounding communities
And there`s more….
5. Bottled water is the number one component in our sorting efforts – we encourage all Volunteers to bring their own reusable water containers and use the water refill stations provided in the park
6. All flyers, booklets, pamphlets and postering is printed on, and labelled as such:
Paper that is produced from at least 30% to 100% recycled content,
or a minimum, FSC stock (meeting the Forest Stewardship Council standards) and inks made of vegetable dyes
7. Promotional products are limited and only offered and not freely given out

These results have not gone unnoticed and our Eco Team has been recognized for our efforts as follows

2011-The Festival & Events Ontario 2011 award for “Best Greening of a Festival or Event, $500,001+”
2011- The Recycling Council of Ontario Waste Minimization Gold Award – Festivals Category
- in recognition of excellence and commitment to a sustainable environment”.
2010- Recycling Council of Ontario, Waste Minimization Gold Award – Festivals Category –
in recognition of excellence & commitment to a sustainable environment.
2010- Festival & Events Ontario, FEO Achievement Award – Best Greening of a Festival or Event.
2008 - Civic Recognition Awards - Environmental Award to Gerry Murphy. Awarded to an individual or group who, through dedicated efforts to improve and/or protect Burlington's environment has been an example to the community.

June 16th to 19th will mark Burlington’s Sound Of Music Festival's 32nd year of creating "Four Fabulous Days of Free Music and Fun” along our beautiful picturesque waterfront, Spencer Smith Park, and throughout downtown Burlington. Through the generosity and support
of sponsors and the dedication of over 600 volunteers, the Festival continues to be a free event for music lovers of all ages, welcoming close to 200,000 visitors annually. For more information on last year's talent and performance schedules or current Festival information
visit soundofmusic.ca or call the Festival Hotline 905-333-6364.

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Presenting Sponsor Tim Hortons
Feature Sponsors ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Burlington Hyundai, Cogeco, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Nickelbrook, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, S. B. Prime At The Hotel Raymond, TD Canada Trust, WestJet

Support Sponsors Canadian Heritage, City of Burlington, Employment Ontario, OCAF – Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Ontario Yours to Discover, SOCAN Foundation, Tourism Ontario, TD Friends of the Environment

Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival
Kimberly Calderbank-Allington, Sponsorship & PR Manager
Phone 905-634-6258 or Email sponsorship@soundofmusic.ca
Dave Miller, Executive Director
Phone 905-634-6309 or Email executivedirector@soundofmusic.ca
Gerry Murphy, President
Email president@soundofmusic.ca
Rick Rossini, Communications Director – Print and Design
Phone 905-635-7660 or Email rossini@rossinimagic.com