Eco-Raving: Party with the Planet in Mind
“Everything is expensive until there’s mass adoption. So as we move forward, and more people find options other than using plastics, sustainable options will become cheaper” — Pranitan “Pete” Phornprapha
In the heart of pulsating beats and kaleidoscopic lights lies a subculture that transcends mere entertainment — rave culture. Originating in the 80s, rave culture burgeoned alongside electronic dance music (EDM), becoming synonymous with ecstatic gatherings marked by uninhibited dancing, vibrant visuals, and a sense of communal euphoria. However, beyond the surface-level portrayal, rave culture has wielded a profound influence on social change, sparking movements, fostering inclusivity, and challenging societal norms.
At its core, rave culture embodies a spirit of unity and acceptance. In fact, rave-goers have coined a term to sum up the experience: PLUR. PLUR is an acronym that stands for “Peace Love Unity and Respect.” It is both a philosophical and ethical guideline for ravers to follow–similar to the concept of the bible. The most common sentiments associated with PLUR include welcoming diversity and inclusivity, being kind to others, and the infamous “golden rule;” to treat others how you would want to be treated — including how we treat mother nature.
By embracing alternative forms of music, art, and fashion, ravers carve out spaces where individuality reigns supreme, and rave festivals such as Amsterdam’s DGTL festival is no exception. DGTL is a global event that is globally attended by over 40,000 people each year. For weekends at a time, DGTL is known for bringing in artists with music ranging from techno, disco, house, and everything in between. Since its inception in 2013, the Dutch festival has championed a socially conscious ethos and has continued to innovate on ways to reduce the carbon footprint of thousands of people. In 2022, they were dubbed the world’s first “circular festival,” meaning they produce zero waste for the entirety of the festival.
With full transparency of their zero waste on their website, they proudly break their sustainability efforts down into categories such as resources, energy, mobility, sanitation, and food. One of their biggest efforts towards sustainability that sets them apart from the rest is that all of the power/energy is generated from solar and wind panels, whereas other similarly-sized events use diesel/biodiesel generators. Another big advancement they have made can be seen in the creation and composting of their food. Nearly all of the food in their food courts at the festival are completely plant-based meals, including their large selection of beyond-meat options. To continue, any food waste or food not used is then simply and naturally composted to ensure that there is no damaging waste to the planet.
In all, the DGTL festival is just one of the hundreds of rave-centric music festivals that not only promotes kindness to all, but also kindness to our planet. And in doing so, serves as an unarguable example as to just how possible it is to live green, regardless of the population of your household, city, state, or country.
