A greener festival
Help us to help the environment
Events on the environment
There are a series of events in this year's programme with an environmental focus - please come along and be inspired! You can search for these events under the strand 'Nature And The Environment' in the What's On section of the website.
Book Festival recycling
We have a comprehensive recycling programme with bins situated around our Charlotte Square Gardens site for paper, plastic, glass and aluminium. In 2007 we recycled 51.5 wheelie bins of glass, 1,798 kilos of paper, 1,168 kilos of cardboard, 7.5 kilos of cans and 123 kilos of plastic bottles and cartons. We were able to recycle plastic cups for the first time, and managed to give away for re-use all of our unwanted wood and carpet at the end of the festival. In total we recycled 97% more in 2007 than we did in 2006. And this year, with your help, we're planning on doing even better!
Recycle your brochures
Our brochure is printed on 100% recycled paper. We provide brochure recycling bins on site where you can leave your copy once you're finished with it. Any brochures left over at the end of the festival will also be recycled.
Browse the programme online or download a brochure
You can search for events by date, author or strand online, making it much easier to find events than in the printed brochure, particularly if you are looking for a specific theme or subject. You can help to save paper and download a version of this year's brochure rather than using a printed version.
Refill your water bottles
Help us to reduce the amount of plastic bottles used on site by refilling your water bottles from our two public drinking-water taps. It'll save you money too!
Canvas book bags
We have introduced new canvas bags this year, provided by our media partners The Times and The Sunday Times Scotland, which will be available free from The Bookshop during the festival. We are also reducing the number of plastic carrier bags we produce this year and those we do produce are made from recycled materials.
Come rain or shine...
Our beautiful garden is a great, atmospheric space to enjoy an alfresco drink or two with friends in the daytime or evening. We no longer provide outdoor heaters in the evening due to their adverse environmental impact, so be sure to bring along warm clothes in case the weather turns chilly.
in association with
