120 Tonnes of Waste Managed Throughout One Love Festival

One Love, New Zealand’s ultimate reggae festival, was held at Tauranga Domain on 25–26 January 2025, marking its 11th anniversary. This two‐day event has become a cornerstone of the summer festival calendar, attracting reggae music lovers from across the globe. The festival featured 46 acts across two stages – the main stage and an Aotearoa stage celebrating Kiwi music.

Since its debut as a one-day festival in Tauranga in 2014, One Love has grown significantly, consistently drawing large crowds with recent years averaging around 20,000 attendees per day. In addition to the performances, there were a variety of food trucks and activities, which created a vibrant atmosphere for a diverse audience.

Clean Vibes’ Comprehensive Cleaning Strategy

Clean Vibes executed an end-to-end cleaning strategy that met high environmental and operational standards. The team efforts were crucial in managing the substantial waste generated by the festival. Out of a total of 120 tonnes of waste removed, 45 tonnes (37.50%) were sent to general waste landfill while 75 tonnes (62.50%) were diverted to commingled mixed recycling. This process involved collecting various recyclable materials, such as plastics, paper, metals, and glass, together in one stream, which were then sent to a specialised facility for further sorting and processing. By utilising this method, Clean Vibes ensured that contaminants were minimised, and the efficiency of the recycling process was enhanced, contributing to a more sustainable outcome for the event.

Operational Highlights

Clean Vibes deployed a strategic, three-phase cleaning and waste management plan:

• Bump-In: The preparation phase ran from 20 to 24 January 2025, a total of 5 days dedicated to setting up the event site with specialised equipment, cleaning supplies, and designated waste collection zones.
• Event Period: During the festival 2 days (25 and 26 January 2025), continuous cleaning operations and proactive waste sorting were maintained in high-traffic areas. Bins were promptly replaced when full, and a dedicated team sorted recyclable containers to ensure effective waste management. Additionally, an ongoing team patrolled the venue to sweep rubbish from the floor.
• Bump-Out: The post-event cleaning phase, from 27 to 29 January 2025, required 3 days to restore the venue to pristine condition. This phase focused on the efficient removal and segregation of the total 120 tonnes of waste generated.

Clean Vibes’ night crew

Strategic Event Management

The event’s success was underpinned by a structured operational framework that included:

• Dedicated Cleaning Teams: Specialised crews were assigned to each phase, ensuring consistency and high service standards throughout the festival lifecycle.
• Equipment and Techniques: Clean Vibes relied on a range of essential cleaning tools and supplies to ensure the venue was maintained to a high standard. This included basic equipment such as brooms and dustpans for sweeping, sturdy bins and skips for waste collection, as well as cleaning products, bags, and gloves to support the cleaning teams. These practical tools enabled efficient and effective upkeep of the event site throughout the festival.
• Robust Communication: The manager of the Clean Vibes team ensured smooth handovers between teams, enabling real-time adjustments and optimised service delivery.

Clean Vibes staffs sorting cans from general waste

Waste Management

Clean Vibes demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability through:

• Strategic Bin Placement: Bins were prominently featured throughout the venue and placed at strategic locations, ensuring they were highly visible so that attendees disposed of their trash in them as much as possible rather than on the floor.
• Sustainable Waste Management Practices: Clean Vibes demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by ensuring that every bin was carefully monitored. A dedicated team replaced full bins with empty ones and meticulously sorted the mixed waste left by attendees. They removed plastic bottles, plastic items, and aluminium cans, placing them in a separate skip. This careful separation ensured that recyclables were correctly managed and sent to the appropriate facilities after the event, thereby enhancing the overall sustainability of the waste management process.
• Waste Diversion:With 62.50% of the waste being diverted to commingled mixed recycling (and 37.50% directed to general waste landfill), the approach showcased good practice in managing large-scale event waste.

Thousands of cans and plastic bottles in a skip

Challenges and Solutions

Managing a large-scale event like One Love presented unique challenges:

• High Waste Volumes: Coordinating the removal of 120 tonnes of waste required meticulous planning and resource allocation.
• Time-Constrained Operations: The tight operational windows during both the bump-in and bump-out phases demanded agility and efficiency from the cleaning teams.
• Innovative Resolution: The integration of advanced cleaning services and dynamic waste management protocols enabled Clean Vibes to overcome these challenges effectively.

Festival’s bar and bins presences

Conclusion

Clean Vibes’ contribution to the One Love festival demonstrated the crucial role of professional cleaning services and robust waste management strategies in large-scale events. Their efforts not only enhanced the attendee experience but also significantly reduced the event’s environmental impact. By managing 120 tonnes of waste, with 45 tonnes sent to landfill and 75 tonnes diverted to commingled recycling, Clean Vibes is proud to have contributed to the smooth running of the festival.

For those interested in transforming their next event with experienced teams and innovative solutions, Clean Vibes offers comprehensive festival cleaning services, effective waste management for large events, and is one of the leading providers of cleaning services in New Zealand.

Visit our website or contact the team for further information or to book our services.