The organization announces Environmental and Social Actions and Results. With the Waste Management project implemented in the Cidade do Rock and Fans for Change auctions, the festival reinforces its commitment to a better world.
Rio de Janeiro, November 23, 2022: Aware that the future must be built in the present, Rock in Rio proposes to organize relevant conversations that contribute to building a better world. Today, the organization of the festival celebrates with fans the achievements it has received through the social-environmental initiatives carried out in the previous edition.
In the seven days of the festival, more than 250 tons of waste were separated and sent for recycling, a number that exceeds the weight of steel used in the scenery of the world stage. The action, in cooperation with partner brands, resulted in the recycling of 89% of the plastic cups used at the festival. Around R＄ 230,000 was raised in the auction of guitars and other items and destined for the Amazonia Live project and the NGO Ação da Cidadania.
“We are very excited about the results achieved. We know we are on the right path to building a better and more sustainable world. The engagement of our public was essential and it makes us very happy to see people embracing our initiatives and actively participating in our actions. Rock in Rio is a great mobilizing agent that generates positive impacts, seeking to make society aware of a more conscious and sustainable life.” celebrates Roberta Medina, Executive Vice President of Rock in Rio and The Town.
The festival has embraced sustainability actions since its first edition in 1985 and 16 years ago, it established itself as the first major music event in the world to offset its carbon footprint. It was also a pioneer in obtaining ISO 20121 – Sustainable Events certification. In 2022, the festival started working on the ambitious goals for 2030, which are essentially focused on the topics of training, food systems, engagement of partners, security and well-being for all, circular economy, inclusion and diversity.
Once again, Rock in Rio promoted a series of actions with a socio-environmental focus. Among them are the working group for recycling waste, plastic cups, plastic packaging and paper; the auction of 30 guitars and other items belonging to the bands, the values of which were donated to Ação da Cidadania and the Amazonia Live project; more accessibility resources, offsetting the carbon footprint and much more.
Environment: Waste management was highlighted in the reunion edition
Today, the festival is responsible to the fans and announces the result of the waste management action in Cidade do Rock, carried out with the partner brands. In line with Rock in Rio’s goal of having zero waste in landfills by 2030, the brands Braskem and Suzano joined the festival and were present at the waste management points of the City of Rock, with the distribution of gifts to encourage the stay aware of the public. More than 250 tons of potentially recyclable waste, the equivalent of more than 40 trucks, was collected by Comlurb and sent to the waste sorting center, where cooperatives employed by the festival worked. The entire process was monitored by the startup Reutiliza Já, which performed the operation and ensured traceability. In total, more than 311 tons of waste were collected during the seven days of the festival.
Another action involving Rock in Rio, Heineken®, Coca-Cola, Natura and Braskem was promoting the recycling of plastic cups used by the public during the festival. Millions of units were collected and 13 tons of this type of waste were sent for recycling, representing 89% of the consumption of plastic cups during the last edition. To give you an idea, the electricity saved from plastic recycling alone on the days of the show was more than 1626 MWh. With the collaboration between different brands and players in the chain, the initiative ensures that the plastic cups discarded during the world’s biggest music and entertainment festival are turned into recycled resin and then into packaging for Natura products. In addition to generating income for the collectors and cooperatives involved, the initiative reduces the environmental impact of the event’s waste generation and encourages conscious consumption among customers.
After disposal by the public, Comlurb managed the disposal of plastic waste for 80 members of the cooperative employed by Rock in Rio and the process had its traceability guaranteed by the startup Reutiliza Já. The cooperatives, for their part, carry out their separation and disposal correctly, so that the process of converting these wastes into Braskem’s circular resin could be carried out successfully. In total, 350 people indirectly benefited from this process, which involved 28 daily fees of R＄110.00 for each member. Furthermore, the sale of materials alone was responsible for securing R＄293,444.10 in profit for the cooperatives.
iFood and Suzano also teamed up to invest in sustainability actions at the Rock in Rio. The companies provided more than 230,000 sustainable packages made from paper – a material that is 100% recyclable, renewable and biodegradable. More than 143 tons of paper distributed at the festival correspond to more than 2,876 trees saved. In total, between all items recycled during the festival period, such as plastic, aluminum, paper, steel and glass, more than 3,127 MWh were saved, equivalent to the consumption of 1,303 homes for a year. By saving 4,199 cubic meters of water, it would be possible to take more than 93,000 5-minute showers.
Social: Guitar auction raised more than R＄230k in donations
The traditional “Fans For Change” auction, with musical instruments and other items signed by artists who make up the Rock in Rio line-up, returned for the reunion edition. Funds raised at the auction were donated to the NGO Ação da Cidadania, the main entity fighting hunger in Brazil. The socio-environmental wing of the festival – Amazonia Live – also benefited from the amount collected. The amount collected was converted into meals for NGOs and trees for the Amazon.
In total, more than R＄230 thousand have been raised with 33 items signed by artists such as Demi Lovato, Iza, Post Malone, IRON MAIDEN, Coldplay, among others.
Highlights were the guitar signed by Green Day, which raised R＄26,500, the guitar signed by Dua Lipa, which raised R＄25,400 and the guitar signed by Jessie J, R＄14,150.
About Rock in Rio
Rock in Rio was created to give voice to a generation and promote unique and innovative experiences. In 1985, the event was responsible for putting Brazil on the path of international concerts. Breaking attendance records in every edition and generating positive impacts in the countries where it takes place, it has established itself as the largest music and entertainment festival in the world. Aware of the spreading power of the brand, today Rock in Rio is guided by being an event with the goal of building a better world for happier, more confident and empathetic people on a healthier planet.
The internationalization of the brand began in Portugal, Lisbon, in 2004, where the event still takes place today, followed by Spain (Madrid) and the United States (Las Vegas). At Rock in Rio, the numbers keep growing. More than 11 million visitors have already passed through Cidades do Rock in these 22 editions. In 37 years, the festival has conquered the world and turned into a real experience park, but beyond that, it has grown and expanded its activities, always looking to the future.
By adopting and encouraging practices that support the collective, Rock in Rio values building a better world and joins companies that share the same vision and guidance. In 2013, it was recognized for its leadership when it received ISO 20121 – Sustainable Events certification. Since the first edition, it has already created 279,000 direct and indirect jobs and invested, together with its partners, more than R＄110 million in various projects with social and/or environmental impact, covering topics of such as sustainability, education, music, forests. , among others.
