9 plastic-free festival essentials to help save the planet

Check out these plastic-free and eco-friendly swaps for your next festival
9 plastic-free festival essentials to help save the planet
June 26, 2019   |    Shannon Moyer

As more festivals around the world embrace “no plastic” policies, it can be hard to find effective eco-friendly swaps for those festival essentials – but don’t worry, Balance has you covered.

Help reduce your carbon footprint this festival season with these 7 easy plastic-free and eco-conscious swaps.

Plastic-free festival options

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MINERAL SUNBLOCK STICK, £13

Sunscreen is essential during festival season, but thankfully there are eco-friendly options that won’t break your budget. This solid, all-natural sunscreen comes in a recyclable cardboard tube, easy to slip into your pocket so you can reapply it liberally throughout the day—and you should reapply every 2-3 hours, since it’s SPF 50.

Biodegradable, recyclable and handmade, this sunscreen even has hydrating formula that will leave you looking more like a sun-kissed festival goddess and less like a lobster.

PURE BIODEGRADABLE GLITTER, ECOSTARDUST, £36 FOR 6 TINS

What is a festival without glitter? Boring. Thankfully, you don’t have to forego the glitz and glam to help save the turtles.

EcoStardust’s new PURE line of biodegradable glitter has zero plastic, degrades in four weeks and comes in multiple colours. It even comes in either a metal tin or in a biodegradable bag!

NATURAL ADHESIVE STRIPS, PATCH, 25 FOR €6.99

Festivals are synonymous with fun, dancing… and blisters. Before you go, be sure to stock up on some of these biodegradable plasters from Patch to help ease the pain and get you back on your feet in no time.

Made of organic bamboo fabric, these hypoallergenic plasters come in four varieties: aloe vera, activated charcoal, panda-printed coconut oil, and natural.

BEAUTY KITCHEN COMPOSTABLE FACE WIPES, £2.69 FOR 30

You’re tired, you’re somewhat smelly and you really don’t want to trek all the way to the showers. Hack your festival bathing routine and stay fresh without harming the environment with these line natural, compostable wipes. Keep some body and facial wipes on you to freshen up between sets and you’re good as gold.

OHROPAX CLASSIC EARPLUGS, 24 FOR £6.65

Yes, we’re telling you to put wax in your ears—but don’t worry, because this is actually sound-muffling beeswax that’ll help protect both your ears and the planet.

Designed to easily mould into the ear, the wax acts as both an eco-friendly and one-size-fits-all option for festival goers. Safe to sleep in, they’re just as perfect for the front row as they are for the shared tent.

GUMLEAF WELLIES, £115

While the best option would be to buy a pair of wellies from your local charity shop, if you’re looking for wellies with lasting power, check out Gumleaf’s line of boots. They're not plastic free, but they're an eco-conscious option to consider. With multiple colours available, gender-neutral styles and wide-calf options, there’s a welly for everyone. Plus, they’re made sustainably with natural rubber and wood chip power in Europe.

CAMPING RECYCLED CAMPING EQUIPMENT, PRICE VARIES

Check out Camping Recycled, an eBay page offering refurbished tents for as low as £35 per tent. Each tent has been checked to be in resellable condition, and let’s be honest—how well are you going to be treating your tent, anyways?

They also sell has refurbished sleeping bags, with many never-used bags coming from showrooms for as low as £10. Remember to take both your tent and sleeping bag with you after the festival to help combat waste.

Axiology Lipstick in Fundamental, £25

Looking your festival best doesn't have to cost the environment with this line of vegan lipsticks. With hydrating ingredients like avocado butter, coconut oil and the all-important vitamin E oil, try this one-colour-suits-all shade for a pop of colour that'll make you the talk of the tent.

UpCircle Fennel and Cardamom Chai Soap Bar, £6.99

This 100 per cent natural soap gently exfoliates your skin to clean, moisturise and scrub away the day's sweat with ease. With shea butter, green clay and upcycled chai spices, this palm oil-free, vegan and cruelty-free soap bar is the best way to relax and refresh after a day in the sun.

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