Top 5 tips for a green festival experience

It's finally here! With Glastonbury weekend almost upon us, festival season has now begun in earnest. So how can you ensure your carbon welly-print is as dainty and discreet as possible as you rock out in the countryside? Read on for some tips.

1. Don't ditch your tent

Right now, the thought of abandoning your beloved, box-fresh tent is probably the last thing on your mind, but picture it post-festival, covered in mud and debris, and the idea of lugging it home may suddenly seem a lot less attractive. In fact, it's such an unappealing prospect that a shocking 46% of those going to Glastonbury have admitted in a survey recently carried out by Gumtree that they plan to leave equipment such as tents, sleeping bags and waterproof clothing behind after the festival.

Not only is this a terrible waste, it's terrible for the environment too. All that plastic is not going to just disappear overnight. So make sure you're prepared for the return trip, either by hiring a pre-erected tent (Tangerine Fields do these for as little as £47 per person, which is not a bad deal considering that's less than the cost of buying a tent you're going to ditch anyway) or by bringing the absolute minimum in terms of equipment so you won't be too weighed down. Choose a lightweight tent that folds down easily without too much dismantling (not a lot of fun while hungover!)

2. Get a lift

If you're planning on travelling to the festival by train, bus or bike, good for you! If you're going to need a bit more space than that (not unlikely if you're camping) then car-pooling is the greenest way to do it. Carshare.com is a good place to find lifts up and down the UK, and if it's Glasto you're going to, the organisers have set up a dedicated Glastonbury Lift Share service, with a tool that allows you to arrange a lift with someone in your area online. It's all so easy your only worry will be the compatibility of your musical tastes!

3. Kit your tent out eco style
Make your temporary dwelling the envy of other campers with the hottest eco-gadgets around. Nigel's Eco Store has loads of nifty solar, windup and wind-powered gadgets that are ideal for camping trips of all sorts: the Baylis mini eco radio (£24.99) is a pint-sized variation on the classic windup radio and will help you stay in touch with the outside world during your trip. A wind-up torch will also be your friend during those late-night trips to the toilets...

4. Get your green gladrags on

Your weekend at one with nature is a perfect time to embrace the wealth of eco-friendly fashions and fabrics now on offer. We've already featured some green and ethical footwear for festivals, but check out our fashion section for loads more hippy friendly clothing available to buy now. Remember, since Kate Moss's welly moment, festivals have been the birthplace of many new trends. Chances are you'll get some admiring comments, and you can take the opportunity to spread the word on your sustainable style!

5. Go for sustainable al-fresco eating

Picnic kits are a godsend in a tent, but make sure you pick one that's not going to leave debris in the earth for thousands of years. Firebox have a lovely biodegradable picnic kit on sale for £14.95. All the crockery in the set is made from our old friend cassava (the tapioca plant), with wooden spoons, forks and knives. You can even choose a gingham or camouflage cloth to complete your al fresco dining experience.