• Make a contribution
  • Get the Print Edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter
Monday, May 12, 2025
  • Login
Reading Today Online
  • HOME
  • YOUR AREA
    • All
    • Caversham
    • Central Reading
    • East Reading
    • Katesgrove
    • Reading
    • Southcote & Coley
    • Tilehurst & Norcot
    • Whitley

    Thames Hospice awarded Armed Forces employer accolade as it marks VE Day

    Thames Valley Air Ambulance among first to begin using virtual reality training

    Uni rowers take top spot at European regatta

    Accessible play facilities at schools across Reading approved

    Reading Pride announces the death of organiser, activist, and musician Sophie Sheehan

    What developers want to achieve with 50 homes plan next to school

    Convenience store in trouble over illegal workers and sale of stolen goods claims

    Conversion of Loch Fynn seafood restaurant into offices completed

    East Reading community centre sees life-saving equipment installed

  • COMMUNITY
  • READING FC
  • SPORT
    • All
    • Basketball
    • Football
    • Rugby

    Uni rowers take top spot at European regatta

    Former Reading FC boss could face the sack despite Championship survival

    Berkshire Bees, previously known as Bracknell Bees, could be forced to fold

    ‘It’s a huge step towards getting your club back’: Reading FC star sends message to the fans

    Former Reading FC star crowned as Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich

    Rams RFC trio named in The Rugby Paper’s Dream Team

    Burghfield FC Ladies first-team and Reserves complete spectacular unbeaten campaigns

    Berkshire-Born Athlete Joel Armotrading signs Major Basketball NCAA Division 1 Contract with University of Nevada, Reno

    Reading FC removed from EFL embargo list after publishing 2023/24 accounts

  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • ARTS
    • READING FESTIVAL
    • READING PRIDE
    • WOKINGHAM FESTIVAL
  • PRIDE OF READING
  • OBITUARIES
  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Reading Today Online
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

Events sustainability pilot GECOP comes to an end

Jake Clothier by Jake Clothier
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 8:04 am
in Featured, Reading
A A
Reading Borough Council has announced that an events sustainability pilot scheme has come to an end.

Reading Borough Council has announced that an events sustainability pilot scheme has come to an end.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

READING Borough Council has announced that an events sustainability pilot scheme has come to an end.

The Green Events Code of Practice (GECOP) pilot has seen the council work with organisers to improve sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of cultural events, ranging from East Reading Festival to Reading Festival.

The GECOP is being developed by the Vision 25 group, representing members of the outdoor live events industry, and was co-funded by the Arts Council and participating local authorities.

Event organisers were asked to take part in the Donut Advisory Tool for Events, which quickly profiled how sustainable and accessible a given event was, gave them a score, and highlighted areas of improvement.

They also took part in workshops hosted by the Council throughout the pilot as well as a final feedback meeting.

Representatives of Festival Republic, organisers of Reading & Leeds Festival, were among the regular attendees, and gave presentations on their green policies and actions on food and drink, materials and waste, and water and energy.

Related posts

Thames Hospice awarded Armed Forces employer accolade as it marks VE Day

Thames Valley Air Ambulance among first to begin using virtual reality training

Uni rowers take top spot at European regatta

Accessible play facilities at schools across Reading approved

Reading was one of 10 local authorities to take part in the year-long trial, submitting feedback which will be used to develop national guidance, which is currently lacking.

The pilot focussed on seven key areas where positive changes could be made: governance, energy, travel and transport, food and drink, waste, water and influence.

These focuses saw organisers take steps such as providing recycling and food waste bins on site, offering water filling stations to reduce use of plastic bottles, cutting the use of diesel generators where possible, requiring caterers to use alternatives to single use plastic, using LED lighting, encouraging visitors to travel by public transport, and using local suppliers and contractors.

Matt Foster, of East Reading Festival, said: “It has been great to be part of the Green Events Code of Practice pilot to look at how we can green-up East Reading Festival and make it a little bit more sustainable.

“East Reading Festival was the smallest event involved in the pilot and it was an ideal opportunity to see what we are doing well, what we could do better and, most importantly, whether we could do it on our own or need help.

“A big benefit of the pilot has been getting together with organisers of other local festivals, large and small, and sharing knowledge while also identifying challenges that we can work on together.”

Molly Banbury, Readipop Festival Producer, said: “As a community-focused, independent charity festival, Readipop Festival is proud to have been involved in the Green Events Code of Practice (GECOP) pilot. Participating in this initiative has been a valuable opportunity for us to strengthen our commitment to environmental sustainability while staying true to our mission of serving our community.

“Through the GECOP pilot, we gained access to tools and guidance that have helped us take meaningful steps toward reducing our environmental impact, from managing waste and energy use to promoting sustainable transportation for festival-goers.

“Collaborating with other local and national event organisers, including larger festivals and grassroots, volunteer led events alike, has been especially rewarding.

“It has allowed us to share our unique perspectives and challenges as a small charity festival, while also learning from others who are equally committed to positive environmental change.

“Being part of this initiative has reaffirmed our belief that community events, no matter their size, can make a significant difference in the move toward sustainability.

“We are grateful for the chance to contribute to a greener future for events and to inspire others in our community to prioritise sustainability in all we do.”

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “The Green Events Code of Practice pilot has been an excellent opportunity for the Council to work with organisers of a variety of different events across the borough.

“The Council has been looking at ways to make its own events more sustainable in line with its, and the town’s, ambitions to be a net zero borough.

“At this year’s Water Fest, the Council’s biggest annual event, we provided bins for mixed recyclables and food waste, offered a water refill station, brought in alternatives to diesel generators and used local suppliers as much as possible.

“The GECOP pilot has been a great way for event organisers to be able to discuss common challenges and share ideas.

“I think the legacy of the trial is that we will all be working closer together to put on greener events in Reading in the future.”

Keep up to date by signing up for our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people who have requested it.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Previous Post

Police and Crime Commissioner welcomes Antisocial behaviour week

Next Post

New pedestrian and cycle bridge to be installed on A33 Relief Road

FOLLOW US

POPULAR STORIES

  • Reading FC takeover: Latest developments as club nears new EFL deadline for sale completion

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Young man and woman attacked by group of teenagers in Reading robbery

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Former Reading FC star to be released as free agent by Championship club

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Former Reading FC star to become free agent following Championship relegation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Thousands experience power outage in Reading, not expected to be fixed for hours

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

RDG.Today – which is a Social Enterprise – provides Reading Borough with free, independent news coverage.

If you are able, please support our work

Click Here to Support RDG.Today

ABOUT US

Reading Today is dedicated to providing news online across the whole of the Borough of Reading. It is a Social Enterprise, existing to support the various communities in Reading Borough.

CONTACT US

news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Reading Today Logo

Keep up to date with our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people that have subscribed

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
If you have a complaint about a  The Wokingham Paper Ltd  publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication concerned, email: editor@wokingham.today, or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • Central Reading
    • East Reading
    • Bracknell
    • Calcot
    • Caversham
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
  • COMMUNITY
  • SPORT
    • Reading FC
    • Football
    • Rugby
    • Basketball
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • ARTS
    • READING FESTIVAL
    • READING PRIDE
    • WOKINGHAM FESTIVAL
  • PRIDE OF READING
  • OBITUARIES
  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT US
  • SUPPORT US
  • SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
  • WHERE TO GET THE PRINT EDITION

© 2021 - The Wokingham Paper Ltd - All Right Reserved.