Written by janine

We want to introduce you to a very special member of our community: an ambitious Startup based in Amsterdam: KarTent. They are part of our Amsterdam HotSpot and our Community already organized a Hold up for them. There is even more to that. On the 28th of February Future of Waste launched a new campaign and it is going to be about Tourism and Events. So now this lovestory is official! For our new campaign to come, we from FOW, did our homework and this research gave us insights about the big impact festivals have on our environment.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF FESTIVALS 

The Infographic made by Metabolic shows how much tons of waste are produced each year. Furthermore, P. Tammes, an expert in tent’s life cycle assessment, declare that a huge percentage of 25% of festival tents are left behind after a spectacle. This is not only a mere environmental disaster but has also social dimensions. Most of the tents are produced under poor conditions in low-wage countries and are ultimately shipped to Europe.

And now, what can we do against it and who the hell is KarTent?

Beside of these bad news about the status quo of waste production during festivals, good news are to be found! KarTent provides a smart and sustainable solution to replace plastic-based tents: a temporary festival tent made entirely out of cardboard (it should go without saying, but we do say it anyways: it is entirely produced in Europe).The cardboard allows for easy recycling of your tent; after the festival, the tent can go directly to the paper recycling industry so that they can re-use your tent to make toilet paper, books, shoe boxes or other useful things! The tents are 100% waterproof and if you doubt this, check out this ultimate test: https://www.facebook.com/kartentbv/videos/750861075084743/

KarTent is conquering France

Now we have great news for all French festival-lovers: KarTent is coming to France! And yes, France is definitely the place to be: according to the IQ magazine in 2015 alone there have been taken place 1.887 festivals in France. 2015 was also the birth year of KarTent with the mission of saying goodbye to all the non recyclable items during festivals they are growing bigger each year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEqhFcjOLts&feature=youtu.beCheck out the beautiful Aftermovie 2017 and prepare yourself for the upcoming festival season or check out www.kartent.com for more information.

So last year, you found the first KarTents on French ground during the HellFest (http://www.hellfest.fr/en/) but this year Kartent is available for every French festival or enterprise interested in this innovative concept.

The Three Zero Strategy to ensure positive impact

The startup is constantly working on improving their social and environmental impact. They follow the 3 Zero strategy, meaning that they make sure to produce Zero Net Carbon Emissions, Zero Poverty and Zero Exclusion (for more details check out the recently published book by Muhammad Yunus https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33785340-a-world-of-three-zeros ). The objective is that by 2019 the startup will have an entirely positive impact on the environment. Among others this includes a new strategy to actively be engaged in refurbishing the tents into new products such as chairs, garbage cans and much more.

The startup is constantly working on improving their social and environmental impact. They follow the 3 Zero strategy, meaning that they make sure to produce Zero Net Carbon Emissions,

This is what stirs Future of Waste’s blood. BUT yet it there is more beauty to be found; the social and environmental contribution of KarTent is integrating literally everything. These smart minds embody the well-known slogan: “think global, act local”. With an international team they build synergies in culture, know-how and efficiency. The KarTents are always installed by a group of volunteers that call the place home, where the KarTents will be used. They are entirely produced in Europe by the cardboard manufacturer Smurfit Kappa, an irish company. To work on an anti-exclusion policy, they are always on the search for enterprises or associations working with handicapped employees. There is only left to say: THANK YOU KarTent for this skyrocketing commitment for society and a greener planet for all of us.

Now it could be your turn: if you have a brilliant idea, don’t hesitate to approach them: Sales France – maxime@kartent.fr; they will be delighted to hear from you.

P.s.: The coolest thing might be that you can actually individualize your own tent. You can paint on it, play with it and be the most creative you.

To work on an anti-exclusion policy, they are always on the search for enterprises or associations working with handicapped employees.

About me :  Hello all! I am Janine and a community developer for Future of Waste. I am absolutely passionate about waste, because I think it is so interconnected to everything we do. I want to help to brush up the image we have about waste – it is a resource and not trash, so let’s be creative!
#zerowasty #mindfuladventurer #wasteissexy Come and take a look to our website ! 

 

After reading so much about festivals, let the summer begin!? To get ready for the season keep an eye on the new Future of Waste campaign about Events and Tourism. We will provide you with tips and tricks on how to lower your ecological footprint during festivals, events and your travels around the world. Stay foolish, stay green!