Reading and Leeds festivals see massive waste and abandoned tents

Attendees of the Reading and Leeds festivals in England have left behind massive amounts of waste and thousands of abandoned items following the recent events. Drone footage and social media videos show the festival grounds covered in piles of rubbish, including food packaging, sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, and broken tents.

Festival Republic, the organizer of both events, reported that 702 tonnes of waste were produced in 2024, a slight decrease from 780 tonnes in 2023. Of that total, approximately 71 tonnes consisted of abandoned tents. Organizers have noted that while some camping gear is occasionally donated, much of it is ultimately discarded.

Despite explicit warnings and appeals to take belongings home or use designated on-site donation points, the issue of abandoned camping equipment remains a persistent problem for the organizers and local authorities.