AT REGARD WE LOVE ORANGE ... BUT WE ALSO THINK OF GREEN!
The BNQ standard for responsible event management (9700-253) defines and regulates eco-responsible practices through a classification system divided into 5 categories: the selection of suppliers, the selection of food, the selection of means of transport, the management of residual materials and the management of equipment, energy sources and water. We chose BNQ because it allows an objective verification of our practices.
In 2021, thanks to the eco-responsible efforts made during the festival, we succeeded in reaching level 3 of the BNQ standard. We are aiming for level 3 again this year.
To help and guide us in our efforts, we call on the Quebec Council for Eco-responsible Events (CQEER), which is supported by a committee of experts and benefits from a network of varied partners.
As a Festival, we are committed to
Affordable public transportation:
● Thanks to a collaboration with the Société de transport du Saguenay (STS), all festivalgoers have free access to public transport during the Festival;
● Promoting a carpooling system through the Facebook group Carpooling @ REGARD, and offering a discount to festivalgoers using AmigoExpress, one of our partners.
Eliminating the use of single-use plastic:
● Prioritize the use of reusable/compostable/recyclable products;
● Installation of water refill points at our sites to eliminate the use of single-use water bottles;
● Selling eco-responsible promotional items – in collaboration with the coop Minuit moins cinq.
Ensuring the sorting of residual materials:
● Setting up waste-sorting stations (waste, recycling, compost and deposit) at several strategic locations;
● Installing signage to facilitate the sorting of residual materials;
● Setting up the Green Brigade to help festivalgoers with their sorting.
Drinking and eating locally:
● Developing partnerships with local alcohol producers;
● Working with suppliers in the area for our food needs;
● Promoting regional businesses to our guests and festivalgoers.
Rewarding festivalgoers, and eco-helping:
● Developing a reward system for the eco-responsible actions taken by our festivalgoers;
● Making a donation to Carbone Boréal, a local tree-planting organization, to off-set the greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted during the Festival;
● Organizing a shoreline clean-up event to offset the GHGs.
As a festivalgoer, I commit to
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions:
● Carpool to the Festival ([email protected]);
● Use free public transport offered by the Festival.
Limiting waste production:
● Download the REGARD app instead of using the printed brochures;
● Bring reusable water bottles.
Recycling and composting:
● Take all waste to the sorting stations (biodegradable or recyclable);
● Sort responsibly and ask for help from the Green Brigade if there are doubts;
● Make sure smokers use the cigarette butt collection stations.
If possible, go the extra mile:
● Participate in the riverbank clean-up event organised to offset the GHGs produced during the Festival;
● Make a donation to Carbone Boréal to plant trees. Trees are good.
