Since the first BBSF in 2011 we chose to be a voice for many things Surf Culture and one of those important voices was the Environment. Through the curation of carefully planned events and special guests we weave this voice into the bigger picture of Byron Bay Surf Festival. Here’s a little bit of what we will be doing in 2022…
Varuna Surfboards – From seed to surfboard
Varuna Surfboards are on a mission to redefine the world of sustainable surfing by partnering with legendary shapers to replicate iconic designs using sustainable materials.
Surfers For Climate
Surfers for Climate is an Australian based registered charity dedicated to turning the tide on climate change.
The movement started in 2019, after surfing co-founders Belinda Baggs & Johnny Abegg were struck by the importance of the ocean and the critical role it plays in our climate system.
Surfers for Climate will join us throughout the Festival spreading their positive message and will also be in attendance at the BBSF closing party at Secret Garden on Sun 11th Sep.
Surf Hardware/Softech Sustainability
World renowned surfboard fin and accessory brand, Surf Hardware International have made a pledge to commit to a better future transitioning their entire business to a more environmentally friendly one.
1% of ALL their sales are donated to preservation of our oceans and to support awareness. On top of this, all their products are designed and manufactured with the environment firmly at the foot of everything they do.
Dr Bronners film: Journey to Pavitramenthe
Regenerative Organic Agriculture can Heal Mother Earth
As part of our mission to maintain the culture of surfing, as an expression, art and lifestyle. We ensure the festival and all of our event partners follow the best environmental practices starting with a sustainability policy that aims to offset carbon emissions, minimise energy usage and eradicate single use plastics.
SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGE
The Byron Bay Surf Festival (BBSF) is committed to Sustainability as a core component of the very nature, passion and collective aim of the Festival for a better world. Our efforts are targeted, measured and reviewed. We are open to all to help, give feedback and to join us in our Sustainability endeavours.
All key stakeholders, including our sponsors, choose to protect the environment that gives us, as surfers, so much in return. We are greatly assisted by the incredible efforts of local environment groups and our Waste Warrior Volunteers, who ensure our Festival waste is minimised and diverted from landfill.
We acknowledge the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Arakwal people, the traditional Custodians of the land and waters, where we stage our Festival. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We further acknowledge the work of Byron Bay Council to monitor and require sustainability management and minimal footprints in all events in their aim to be landfill free and carbon neutral by 2025.
Our aims and targets for the BBSF in 2022 are:
-
Work with Byron Bay NGO environment protection agencies and encourage local action to keep our coastlines and marine life safe from pollution.
-
Hold daily Beach Clean-ups at the beach locations used for our event and promote “TAKE 3 for the SEA BYRON” in alignment with Shire’s aim to reduce waste to landfill by 40%.
-
Ensure all waste collected is benchmarked and sorted into 4 separate waste streams – Landfill, Earn & Return revenues (offered to local NGOs), Organics (sent for composting) and Recycling.
-
Divert over 75% of all waste from landfill.
-
Support the Byron Loves BYO campaign and encourage BYO water bottles and coffee cups at our Festival.
-
Where possible, source renewable energy alternatives to power our contest operations on the beach.
-
Estimate the travel emissions of all ticketed surfers and voluntarily offset those emissions with Sea Trees, recognising that blue carbon coastal ecosystems (planting mangroves) harvest 5 times more carbon than trees on land.
-
2022 will be the first time our Festival surf events are benchmarked for environmental performance in energy, water and waste.
John Finlay
Byron Bay Surf Festival Chairman