Miami’s renowned Ultra Music Festival has been recognized as a global leader in environmental responsibility, receiving the prestigious Sustainability Team Award at the recent World Sustainability Awards ceremony held at The Garden Of Amsterdam. Competing against a pool of 220 applications from 35 countries, Ultra Music Festival emerged victorious, solidifying its commitment to sustainability.
The World Sustainability Awards spotlight companies that prioritize sustainability in their strategic development, with Ultra Music Festival standing out among the international competition. Chosen by a panel of 25 industry-leading judges, the festival was one of only 13 winners selected across various categories, surpassing multinational corporations like AT&T, HEINEKEN, and HP.
The Sustainability Team Award celebrates teams with a clear vision and collaborative approach towards achieving sustainability goals. Ultra Music Festival’s lean but agile sustainability team has been commended for its efforts in eliminating nearly 90% of single-use plastics, diverting 180,000 pounds of waste from landfills, and supporting local communities through donations. The team’s commitment to training colleagues on sustainability and raising awareness externally has garnered praise from the World Sustainability Leaders organization.
Under the program “Mission: Home,” spearheaded by a diverse team of women, Ultra Music Festival has adopted a cross-functional and collaborative approach to sustainability. By engaging internal teams, external vendors, event staff, community partners, and attendees, the festival has successfully implemented initiatives focused on waste reduction, pollution prevention, nature preservation, community engagement, and climate action.
Vivian Belzaguy Hunter, Director of Sustainability at Ultra Music Festival, emphasized the power of music and the arts in driving collective action for environmental protection. The festival’s ‘Mission: Home’ program includes educational campaigns for attendees, reaching millions globally through various channels such as on-site signage, digital platforms, and live streams.
In its 2023 Sustainability Report, Mission: Home highlighted achievements in waste reduction, recycling, and community support, thanks to collaborations with partners like Clean Vibes. Notable accomplishments include diverting over 184,000 pounds of waste from landfills and donating resources to local organizations serving the community.
Emily Milton, Sustainability Program Manager at Ultra Music Festival, credited the success of the program to the collective support of partners, vendors, and stakeholders. The festival’s commitment to environmental stewardship has extended beyond waste reduction, with significant donations made to organizations like The Caring Place, providing essential services to those in need.
Looking ahead, Ultra Music Festival is set to host the fourth iteration of the Mission: Home program at Bayfront Park on March 22, 23, and 24, 2024. With a focus on expanding its impact and promoting sustainability, the festival aims to inspire positive change within the music industry and beyond.
For the latest updates on Ultra Music Festival and its sustainability initiatives, visit ultramusicfestival.com/mission-home
Photo Credit: Statie Photography
Stay tuned for more updates on Ultra Music Festival’s environmental efforts and commitment to sustainability.