Ultra Music Festival continues to set the standard for environmental responsibility with its award-winning sustainability initiative, ‘Mission: Home’. Since its launch in 2019, the program has achieved remarkable milestones, educating millions and drastically reducing waste. In 2024, it notched several accolades, solidifying its position as one of the most comprehensive sustainability programs in North America.
Accolades and Milestones
- Prestigious Awards
- SUNsational Award (Florida Festivals and Events Association): Recognized as the top Sustainability Program among 500 submissions.
- Finalist for the 2024 World Sustainability Awards’ Sustainability Excellence Award.
- Winner of the Sustainability Team Award at last year’s World Sustainability Awards.
- Key Achievements
- 50 Initiatives Executed: The 2024 festival achieved a 50% waste diversion rate, diverting over 293,000 pounds of waste since 2019—equivalent to the weight of a blue whale.
- Plastic Reduction: Over 2.1 million plastic items eliminated from entering the waste stream.
- Community Impact: Rescued and donated 19,400 pounds of food to The Caring Place, providing meals for vulnerable populations.
- Innovative Partnerships
- Collaborated with Recreate Miami to rescue and repurpose 19,600 pounds of wood, diverting it from landfills for reuse in creative and landscaping projects.
- Expanded recycling efforts with partners like Clean Vibes, Renuable, and Lady Green Recycling, introducing programs like soft plastic recycling and cooking oil reuse.
- Educational Outreach
- Hosted a pre-event shoreline cleanup, “Sound: ON,” which has cumulatively removed 2,850 pounds of marine debris.
- Engaged 165,000 attendees at the festival’s Eco Village and reached 7.4 million people globally via social media.
Environmental Impact and Future Goals
The program’s holistic approach extends beyond waste management, incorporating climate action strategies to assess and reduce the festival’s carbon footprint. By partnering with experts like CES Power, ZAP Concepts, and We Are Neutral, Ultra is enhancing power efficiency and offsetting emissions through Florida-based initiatives.
A Legacy of Leadership
As Ultra Music Festival approaches its 25th anniversary, ‘Mission: Home’ remains a cornerstone of its operations, inspiring attendees to adopt sustainable practices on and off festival grounds.
“Sustainability at Ultra goes beyond reducing our footprint—it’s about setting an example for the entire festival industry and creating a ripple effect that reaches millions of people worldwide,” said Vivian Belzaguy Hunter, Sustainability Director for Ultra Music Festival.
With its commitment to protecting the planet and empowering the global music community, ‘Mission: Home’ promises to continue blazing the trail for sustainability in live events.
